Ash Creek Ecological Master Plan - Phase I

Master PlanAsh Creek Conservation Association, Inc.

2Ash Creek Estuary Master Plan

“Despite all the benefits provided by wetlands, the

United States loses about 60,000 acres

each year.” United States Environmental Protection Agency

3Ash Creek Estuary Master Plan3

ASH CREEK ESTUARY MASTER PLANASH CREEK CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION, INC. ∙ DECEMBER 2012

THE IMAGES AND INFORMATION CONTAINED HERE ARE MASTER PLAN CONCEPTS AND ARE INTENDED FOR GENERAL REFERENCE PURPOSES ONLY; THEY DO NOT REPRESENT AN APPROVED DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR THE ESTUARY OR ANY PART THEREOF AND ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. THIS MATERIAL, AND THE INFORMATION CONTAIND HERE, DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OR COMMITMENT TO PURCHASE, MODIFY, OR SELL PROPERTY.

PRESENTATION OVERVIEW

1. Introduction

2. Methodology

3. Study Area A: Upper Creek 4. Study Area B: Lower Creek

5. Study Area C: Tidal Inlet

6. Study Area D:Turney Creek

7. Study Area E: Riverside Creek

8. Recommendations

WRITTEN BY ONE NATURE AND STEVEN DANZER, PHD & ASSOCIATES.

FUNDING SUPPORT FROM THE FAIRFIELD COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, AND PRO-BONO CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE AUTHORS.

FUNDING SUPPORT ALSO PROVIDED BY THE WATERSHED ASSISTANCE SMALL GRANTS PROGRAM, CONDUCTED IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION UNDER SECTION 319 OF THE CLEAN WATER ACT. THE SMALL GRANTS PROGRAM IS ADMINISTERED BY RIVERS ALLIANCE OF CONNECTICUT.

•The goal of this study is to establish a

framework.

•Ash Creek is a rare example of a

relatively healthy urban estuary.

•The estuary provides many important

ecological services.

•The estuary is an important part of the

region’s cultural heritage.

•Thank you to FCCF and Rivers Alliance.

"Next to tropical

rainforests, tidal wetlands are the most biologically productive resource in the world."

Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental

Protection

INTRODUCTION

EXISTING CONDITIONSAsh Creek Ecological Master Plan

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GREAT MARSH ISLAND

GROVERS HILL

WATERFRONT SIDEWALK

COMBINED SEWER

OVERFLOW

BREWSTER STREET BRIDGE

FAIRFIELD AVENUE BRIDGE

TURNEY CREEK

I - 95

BENSON MARINA

RIVERSIDE CREEK

TIDE GATES

TIDE GATE

JENNINGS BEACH

BARRIERSPIT

NEW PARK(NOT SHOWN)

ST. MARY’SBY-THE-SEALINEAR PARK

WATERFRONT SIDEWALK

CAPOZZI PARK

OYSTER REEF

PUBLIC OPEN SPACE

PUBLICACCESS

PUBLIC ACCESS

ARTIFICIAL PENNINSUAL

EXISTING CONDITIONS EXISTING HABITAT TYPESAsh Creek Ecological Master Plan

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UPLAND MEADOW

MUDFLAT

MARITIME FOREST

FRESHWATER WETLAND

HIGH MARSH

LOW MARSH

BACKDUNE

FOREDUNE

EXISTING HABITAT TYPES INTRODUCTION

8Ash Creek Estuary Master PlanINTRODUCTION1990 AERIAL

Ash Creek Ecological Master Plan

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2010 AERIALAsh Creek Ecological Master Plan

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1934 AERIAL 2010 AERIAL

1997 USGS MAPAsh Creek Ecological Master Plan

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1895 USGS MAPAsh Creek Ecological Master Plan

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1997 USGS MAP1895 USGS MAP INTRODUCTION

1880’s WETLAND AND COASTLINEAsh Creek Ecological Master Plan

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1990’s WETLANDAsh Creek Ecological Master Plan

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1880’S WETLANDS 1990 WETLANDS INTRODUCTION

FEMA FLOOD HAZARD MAPAsh Creek Ecological Master Plan

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Category 4

Category 3

Category 2

Category 1

HURRICANE SURGE MODELSAsh Creek Ecological Master Plan

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FEMA FLOOD MAP HURRICANE SURGE MODEL INTRODUCTION

QUALITATIVE ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY

•Weperformedthemajorityof ourfield

work in August, 2012.

•Wedividedthestudyareaintofivegeographic units for assessment.

•The boundary of each unit was determined by topography, cultural features, and the shape of the estuary.

•Wevisitedeachunit,madefieldnotes,and performed remote desktop analysis todocumentsignificantfeatures.

STUDY AREASAsh Creek Ecological Master Plan

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AREA CTIDAL INLET

AREA BLOWERCREEK

AREA AUPPERCREEK

AREA DTURNEYCREEK

AREA ERIVERSIDE

UNIT A. UPPER CREEK

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14Ash Creek Estuary Master PlanUNIT A. UPPER CREEK

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Existing Conditions• Aesthetic• Carbon Storage• Flood Protection• Habitat and Biodiversity• Hydrologic, Biogeochemical, and Ecological

Functions of the Tidal Ecosystem • Recreation • Water Quality

Potential Threats• Erosion• Phragmites• Water Quality• StormwaterOutflows• Failed/Stalled Construction• Proposed Bridge Crossing• Potential Ecotoxic Substances• Sea Level Rise

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UNIT A. UPPER CREEK

Potential Improvements1. Enhance native vegetation throughout the study area.2. Monitor progress at Train Station restoration site.3. Improve vistas across the study area through planting, placement of benches, and pathway

alignment.4. Install aesthetically pleasing dune fencing according along topographic contours; 5. Improve and create street end access and gathering spaces.6. Reclaim upland lots with non-water dependent uses for ecological restoration purposes; 7. Ensure Pedestrian footbridge becomes aesthetic asset to community.8. Promote stormwater capture technologies including bioswales, vegetative buffer strips, rain barrel

use, and permeable paving throughout the drainage area.9. Alter street ends to create views of water. 10. Create custom signage and educational kiosks to be used throughout the

Ash Creek estuary that establish a local feeling respectful of cultural and ecological conditions.

11. Encourage the creation of high marsh plants besides Phragmites;12. Educate local property owners about the value and importance of native plant species; 13. Supplementalspotplantingandseedingtoencouragespecificnativespecieswhereverpossible;and,14. Develop forest management plan for forested edges.15. Generally encourage the restoration of native plant materials.16. Monitor all design and construction activities to reduce use of heavy equipment or building

materials with high carbon footprints.17. Use pedestrian footbridge as an opportunity to create and improve habitat;18. Discourage Phragmites colonization.19. Create green spaces at street ends.20. Perform feasibility study to examine options to daylight the creek north of the Old Post Road.21. Reclaim land from adjacent low lying areas currently used for non-water dependent purposes.22. Convert public and private lawn spaces to native vegetation. 23. DefinepublicaccesspointsandencourageADAaccessibility.24. Develop bikeway and pedestrian routes with location of new pedestrian bridge.25. Install blinds for bird watchers. 26. Developandimplementagreeninfrastructureplanthatspecificallyaddressesstreetendsrunoff,

residential properties, and permeable pavement conversion.27. Map and monitor all outfalls.28. Perform regular testing to quantify upstream pollutant contribution.29. CoordinatewithupstreamRoosterRiverwatershedplanningeffortstoidentifyspecificwater

quality improvement projects.

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UNIT B. LOWER CREEK

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UNIT B. LOWER CREEK

22Ash Creek Estuary Master PlanUNIT B. LOWER CREEK

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Functions of the Tidal Ecosystem • Water Quality• Recreation

Potential Threats• CT DEEP Water Quality Assessment• Phragmites• Gillman Street Stormwater Outfalls• Decayed Phragmites• Tide Gates• Buffer Condition on East Side• Rip-Rapped Peninsula• Motorized Watercraft• Waterfront Access from the Peninsula• Sea Level Rise • Dog Use

UNIT B. LOWER CREEK

Potential Improvements

1. Enhance native vegetation throughout the study area.2. Improve vistas across the study area through planting, placement of benches, and pathway

alignment.3. Improve existing overlook area on Bridgeport side at the terminus of the promenade.4. Work with adjacent property owners to integrate native plants into their landscape design choices.5. Work with local stakeholders post-Sandy reconstruction efforts to integrate native plants into

redevelopment plans.6. Promote stormwater capture technologies including bioswales, vegetative buffer strips, rain barrel

use, and permeable paving throughout the drainage area.7. Create custom signage and educational kiosks to be used throughout the Ash Creek estuary that

establish a local feeling respectful of cultural and ecological conditions.8. ImprovesignageatFairfieldAvenueBridge.9. Identify newest stands of Phragmites for removal.10. Encourage the creation of high marsh plants.11. Educate local property owners about the value and importance of native plant species.12. Supplementalspotplantingandseedingtoencouragespecificnativespecieswhereverpossible.13. Develop forest management plan for forested edges.14. Generally encourage the restoration of native plant materials.15. Monitor all design and construction activities to reduce use of heavy equipment or building

materials with high carbon footprints.16. Create a more robust native plant community along the Bridgeport side.

Phase out all non-native plantings.17. Encouragesoftedgeretrofitsforhardenedshorelines.18. Discourage Phragmites colonization.19. Reclaim land from adjacent low lying land currently used for non-water dependent purposes.20. Convert mown lawn on Bridgeport side walkway to native shrubs and

grasses. 21. Convert public and private lawn spaces to native vegetation. 22. Link bikeway and pedestrian routes with other sections of the estuary and Jennings Beach.23. Installeducationalsignageandkiosksinhightrafficareas.24. Developandimplementagreeninfrastructureplanthatspecificallyaddressesstreetendrunoff,

residential properties, and permeable pavement conversion. 25. RethinkroaddrainageonBridgeportsidetoreducefloodingandrunoff contamination.26. Identify runoff pollution sources such as fertilizer, pesticide, and other potentially harmful

substances.

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UNIT C. TIDAL INLET

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UNIT C. TIDAL INLET

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UNIT C. TIDAL INLET

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UNIT C. TIDAL INLET

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UNIT C. TIDAL INLET

Functions of the Tidal Ecosystem • Recreation

• Water Quality

Potential Threats• Erosion/Deposition• Invasive Species• Dog Use• Storm Events• Jurisdictional Ovelap• Motorized watercraft• Sea Level Rise • Overuse

UNIT C. TIDAL INLET

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1. Enhance native vegetation throughout the study area.2. Improve vistas across the lower creek and the sound through planting, placement of benches, and

pathway alignment. 3. Install aesthetically pleasing dune fencing according along topographic contours. 4. Improvegatheringspacesthroughuseof permeablepavers,fillplacement,andhistorically

appropriate site furnishing. 5. Create custom signage and educational kiosks to be used throughout the Ash Creek estuary to

establish a local feeling respectful of cultural and ecological conditions. 6. Protectlargesectionsof thebarrierspitfromdogsandfoottraffic.7. Supplementalspotplantingtoencouragespecificspecies.8. Develop forest management plan for Capozzi Park. Thin trees and control

invasive species to create greater plant diversity. 9. Generally encourage the restoration of native plant materials. 10. Monitor all design and construction activities to reduce use of heavy equipment or building

materials with high carbon footprints. 11. Manage the Bird Sanctuary to promote more standing and ground sequestered biomass. Expand

the forest farther west.12. Convert all lawn spaces to native coastal vegetation. 13. Restore tidal salt marsh and riparian zones on the northeast side of the barrier spit.14. Bring back coastal meadow and shrub habitat on the southwest edge of the

Bird Sanctuary. 15. Convert mown lawn on promenade walkway to native shrubs and grasses. 16. Better define access points to the barrier spit to avoid trampling native

plants.17. Install bike racks.18. Construct new pathways through the Bird Sanctuary to counter the dominance of the road on

visitor experience and to provide access to additional environmental education. 19. Temporary toilets should be removed, added, better maintained, or replaced with permanent

bathrooms. 20. Designandinstalladefinedbikewayandsidewalksystemthatwouldcreateasaferandmore

accessible experience.

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UNIT C. TIDAL INLET

UNIT D. TURNEY CREEK

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36Ash Creek Estuary Master PlanUNIT D. TURNEY CREEK

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37Ash Creek Estuary Master PlanUNIT D. TURNEY CREEK

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Functions of the Tidal Ecosystem • Recreation • Saline/Fresh Water Exchange

• Water Quality

Potential Threats• Erosion/Deposition• Invasive Species• Dog Use• Storm Events• Jurisdictional Ovelap• Motorized watercraft• Sea Level Rise • Overuse

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1. Enhance native vegetation throughout the study area.2. Improve vistas across the study area through planting, placement of benches, and pathway

alignment.3. Work with adjacent property owners to integrate native plants into their landscape design choices.4. Improve and create street end access and gathering spaces.5. Examinepotentialforremovingfillformadjacentlandtoincreasetidalmarshhabitat,perhapsin

coordinationwithfloodmitigationefforts.6. WorkwithFairfieldpost-Sandyreconstructioneffortstointegratenativeplantsintoredevelopment

plans.7. Promote stormwater capture technologies including bioswales, vegetative

buffer strips, rain barrel use, and permeable paving throughout the drainage area.

8. Integrate restoration with Hurricane Sandy recovery efforts.9. Alter street ends to create views of water.10. Create custom signage and educational kiosks to be used throughout the Ash Creek estuary that

establish a local feeling respectful of cultural and ecological conditions. 11. Encourage the creation of high marsh plant.12. Educate local property owners about the value and importance of native plant species.13. Supplementalspotplantingandseedingtoencouragespecificnativespecieswhereverpossible;and,14. Develop forest management plan for forested edges.15. Improve tidal gates to allow more tidal flushing, thereby reducing methane

and nitrous oxide releases (both greenhouse gases).16. Create more wetlands.17. Generally encourage the restoration of native plant materials.18. Monitor all design and construction activities to reduce use of heavy equipment or building

materials with high carbon footprints.19. Increase intertidal marsh areas through reclaiming vacant propterties.20. Discourage Phragmites colonization.21. Create green spaces at the end of street ends.22. Reclaim land from adjacent low lying land currently used for non-water dependent purposes.

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UNIT E. RIVERSIDE CREEK

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42Ash Creek Estuary Master PlanUNIT E. RIVERSIDE CREEK

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Functions of the Tidal Ecosystem • Recreation

• Water Quality

Potential Threats• Erosion/Deposition• Invasive species• Upland Buffer• Fire• Impervious Surfaces• Marina Boat Basin• CT DEEP Water Quality assessment• Sea level rise

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Potential Improvements1. Enhance native vegetation throughout the study area.2. Improve entryway to public open space at the Marina.3. The bench at the end of the peninsula faces the backside of the sign and should be re-oriented. In general,

vistas should be improved across the study area through planting, placement of benches, and pathway alignment.

4. Work with adjacent property owners to integrate native plants into their landscape design choices.5. Improve and create street end access and gathering spaces.6. Examinepotentialforremovingfillformadjacentlandtoincreasetidalmarshhabitat,perhapsincoordination

withfloodmitigationefforts.7. WorkwithFairfieldpost-Sandyreconstructioneffortstointegratenativeplantsintoredevelopmentplans.8. Promote stormwater capture technologies including bioswales, vegetative buffer strips, rain barrel use, and

permeable paving throughout the drainage area.9. Integrate restoration with Hurricane Sandy recovery efforts.

10. Add native vegetation to parking islands near the public open space at the peninsula.

11. Alter street ends to create views of water.12. Create custom signage and educational kiosks to be used throughout the Ash Creek estuary that establish a

local feeling respectful of cultural and ecological conditions. 13. Encourage the creation of high marsh plants.14. Educate local property owners about the value and importance of native plant species.15. Increase salinity in tidal creeks.16. Supplementalspotplantingandseedingtoencouragespecificnativespecieswhereverpossible.17. Develop forest management plan for forested edges.18. Improvetidalgatestoallowmoretidalflushing,therebyreducingmethaneandnitrousoxidereleases(both

greenhouse gases).19. Create more wetlands.20. Generally encourage the restoration of native plant materials.21. Monitor all design and construction activities to reduce use of heavy equipment or building materials with high

carbon footprints.22. Increase intertidal marsh areas through reclaiming vacant properties.23. Discourage Phragmites colonization.24. Create green spaces at the end of street ends.25. Reclaim land from adjacent low lying land currently used for non-water dependent purposes.26. Convert mown lawn on promenade walkway to native shrubs and grasses.27. Convert public and private lawn spaces to native vegetation. 28. Definepublicaccesspoints.

29. Link bikeway and pedestrian routes with other sections of the estuary and Jennings Beach.

30. Installeducationalsignageandkiosksinhightrafficareas.31. Improve ADA access to waterfront views. 32. Developandimplementagreeninfrastructureplanthatspecificallyaddressesstreetendsrunoff,residential

properties, and permeable pavement conversion. 33. Study the function and design of all tide gates and culverts.34. Identify runoff pollution sources such as fertilizer, pesticide, and other potentially harmful substances.

POTENTIAL RESTORATION PLANAsh Creek Ecological Master Plan

°N0 500 1,000250Feet

COORDINATEDREDGING

WITH DUNE STEWARDSHIP

INVESTIGATETURNEY CREEK

DAYLIGHTING

RESTORE DUNE

IMPROVEWOODLAND

RESTORE MEADOW

ENHANCESALT MARSH

REPAIRRIPARIANBUFFER

DEVELOP INVASIVE SPECIES

MANAGEMENT PLANS. REVIEW

TIDE GATES.

ENHANCE MEADOW AND

WOODLAND

DEVELOP INVASIVE SPECIES

MANAGEMENT PLAN. REVIEW

TIDE GATE.

CONSIDERPOTENTIAL ECO- TOXICOLOGY ISSUES

MONITOR ANDCOMPLETEONGOING RESTORATIONPROJECT

STUDY COMBINEDSEWER OVERFLOW

EXPANDOYSTER POPULATION

REPAIRRIPARIANBUFFER AND GREEN STREET ENDS

EXPLORE WAVE ATTENUATION PRACTICES

1. PROMOTE NATIVE SPECIES, GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE AND ORGANIC LANDSCAPE STEWARDSHIP THROUGHOUT ENTIRE DRAINAGE BASIN;

2. ALL RECOMEMNDATIONS MADE IN THIS PLAN MUST BE VERIFIED THROUGH FURTHER STUDY, STAKEHOLDER COORDINATION, AND DESIGN DEVELOPMENT PRIOR TO IMPLIMENTATION; AND,

3. NEW TRAIN STATION DEVELOPMENT IS NOT SHOWN IN THIS 2010 AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH.

NOTES:

USE PLANNEDPEDESTRIAN

FOOTBRIDGETO RESTORE

HABITAT

REPAIRRIPARIAN

BUFFER AND GREEN

STREET ENDS

EDUCATION AND RECREATION PLANAsh Creek Ecological Master Plan

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EDUCATIONAL SIGNAGE

WALKING/BIKING ROUTE

PEDESTRIANBRIDGE

LANDING

IMPROVE PARKING

BUILDPUBLICBATHROOMS

RECONSTRUCT SIDEWALKWITH GREENINFRASTRUCTURETECHNOLOGIES

CREATESEATING

IMPROVEOPEN

IMPROVE TRAIL

REDESIGNLOOKOUT

PLACEBIRD

INSTALL PROTECTIVE DUNE FENCING

BUILD NEW PATH SYSTEM

CREATE STREETENDPARK

ONE SYSTEM, MANY PARTS

RESTORATION PLAN EDUCATION AND CIRCULATION PLAN

1. Work with stakeholders to prioritize above recommendations.

2. Continue this report’s Phase 1 efforts towards developing a Phase 2 comprehensive Ecological Restoration Plan.

3. Integrate recommendations with post-Sandy recovery efforts.

4. Perform community outreach to improve citizen understanding and stewardship of the estuary.

5. Investigate wetland mitigation opportunities.

6. Implement wayfinding, environmental kiosks, and signage.

7. Perform engineering review of tide gates.

8. Develop a green infrastructure plan.

RECOMMENDED NEXT STEPS

48Ash Creek Estuary Master PlanRECOMMENDED NEXT STEPS

9. Investigate whether a River Commission or a Harbor Management Plan for Ash Creek is an appropriate approach to protecting the Ash Creek tidal estuary.

10. Continue to work with the City of Bridgeport to enhance their capabilities to manage the estuary from an ecological perspective.

11. Continue to work with the Town of Fairfield to enhance their capabilities to manage the estuary from an ecological perspective.

12. Develop planting specifications and design alternatives for the St. Mary’s Sand Spit.

13. Encourage land-use practices that protect, maintain, and enhance the sand dunes on the St. Marys Sand Spit.

14. Coordinate with Rooster River Watershed Plan.

15. Investigate restoration opportunities in upper reaches of Turney Creek.

16. Re-enforce and develop more extensive relationships with environmental education organizations, including local school districts.

THANK YOU!

QUESTIONS?

Ash Creek Ecological Master Plan - Phase I

ash creek estuary master

master plan concepts

creek area c

cultural creek features

feet unit

feet n

healthy urban estuary

approved development

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