Work to restore Broad Meadows into thriving ecosystem continues

Photo By Andrew Stamer | David A. Lawson, assistant director, Massachusetts Mosquito Control, takes water from the Broad Meadows Marsh Restoration project, Quincy, Mass., to check for mosquito larvae. The project is set to restore the area by creating 35 acres of high and low salt marsh (including channels), 20 acres of high marsh, and five acres of bordering vegetative wetlands, all aiming to increase the ecological value of the area. To do this, the area will have to be excavated to get rid of Phragmites australis, and to bring the floor back to pre-1950’s levels to provide the right conditions for the salt marsh to redevelop. (U.S. Army photo/C.J. Allen)  

QUINCY, MA, UNITED STATES

11.04.2011

Story by AnnMarie Harvie 

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District

QUINCY, Mass. - Work to transform Broad Meadows in Quincy, Mass., back to a thriving, ecologically rich salt marsh is progressing at an impressive rate.

The project, which will restore tidal flushing to the salt marsh system by lowering the surface elevation to pre-1930’s levels, is ahead of schedule due in part to good weather and conditions.

“The contractor has excavated 262,000 cubic yards of dredged material, which is 78-percent of the base contract volume,” said Project Manager Wendy Gendron.

The project will restore 36 acres of salt marsh, 24 acres of coastal grasslands and shrubs and six acres of wet meadows to the area.

“Back in the 1930’s and 1950’s the Corps placed dredged material from Town River on top of the marsh,” said Gendron. “We want to return the marsh to its original elevation. To do that, we’re digging out the dredged material and creating placement mounds at the north end of the site, which the contractor will then seed with a native coastal grassland mix.”

Once the tidal flows are restored, it will eradicate an invasive, non-resource plant called Phragmites, so that more ecologically friendly plants will grow. Waterfowl are already using the site and soon fish will return to the area for the first time in 80 years.

“Aside from the ecosystem restoration, we have an educational opportunity here with the adjacent Broad Meadows School,” said Gendron. “The Broad Meadows Middle School Principal and science teacher are engaged in the project and incorporating it in the classroom. There will also be graveled walking paths for recreational enjoyment.”

The $6 million project is being cost -shared by the federal government (75 percent) and the city of Quincy (25 percent). Thanks to the help of stakeholders, more funding was found to increase the amount of acres available for restoration over the original base contract awarded.

“The Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration made us aware of possible funding from the Neponset River Watershed Association which provided $150,000 for additional restoration,” said Gendron. “That equates to $600,000 with matching funds.”
Relocating the excavated material from the former marsh to onsite placement mounds helped keep project costs down.

RC&D of Providence, R.I., is the contractor on the project. As of October, remaining work consists of installing drainage culverts, excavating 56,700 cubic yards of material from the added restoration area, and excavating the berm holding back the water.

“The contractor will also seed the coastal grasslands and wet meadows next spring or fall and finish the walking paths,” added Gendron.

Massachusetts Congressman William Keating and New England District Commander Col. Charles Samaris visited the Broad Meadows site on Sept. 28 to tour the restoration site and show support for the project. Restoration work at Broad Meadows is scheduled to be completed in April 2013.

• Date Taken: 11.04.2011
• Date Posted: 11.04.2011 11:53
• Story ID: 79562
• Location: QUINCY, MA, US