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.
4Ash Creek Estuary Master Plan
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.
5Ash Creek Estuary Master Plan
•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
6Ash Creek Estuary Master Plan
SITE
INTRODUCTION
7Ash Creek Estuary Master Plan
EXISTING CONDITIONSAsh Creek Ecological Master Plan
°0 500 1,000250Feet
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
°N0 500 1,000250Feet
UPLAND MEADOW
MUDFLAT
MARITIME FOREST
FRESHWATER WETLAND
HIGH MARSH
LOW MARSH
BACKDUNE
FOREDUNE
BEACH
EXISTING HABITAT TYPES INTRODUCTION
8Ash Creek Estuary Master PlanINTRODUCTION1990 AERIAL
Ash Creek Ecological Master Plan
°0 500 1,000250Feet
2010 AERIALAsh Creek Ecological Master Plan
°0 500 1,000250Feet
1934 AERIAL 2010 AERIAL
9Ash Creek Estuary Master Plan
t
1997 USGS MAPAsh Creek Ecological Master Plan
°0 500 1,000250Feet
1895 USGS MAPAsh Creek Ecological Master Plan
°0 500 1,000250Feet
1997 USGS MAP1895 USGS MAP INTRODUCTION
10Ash Creek Estuary Master Plan
1880’s WETLAND AND COASTLINEAsh Creek Ecological Master Plan
°0 500 1,000250Feet
1990’s WETLANDAsh Creek Ecological Master Plan
°0 500 1,000250Feet
1880’S WETLANDS 1990 WETLANDS INTRODUCTION
11Ash Creek Estuary Master Plan
FEMA FLOOD HAZARD MAPAsh Creek Ecological Master Plan
°0 500 1,000250Feet
Category 4
Category 3
Category 2
Category 1
HURRICANE SURGE MODELSAsh Creek Ecological Master Plan
°0 500 1,000250Feet
FEMA FLOOD MAP HURRICANE SURGE MODEL INTRODUCTION
12Ash Creek Estuary Master Plan
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
°N0 500 1,000250Feet
AREA CTIDAL INLET
AREA BLOWERCREEK
AREA AUPPERCREEK
AREA DTURNEYCREEK
AREA ERIVERSIDE
CREEK
13Ash Creek Estuary Master Plan
UNIT A. UPPER CREEK
° 0 500 1,000250Feet
1934 AERIALAsh Creek Ecological Master Plan
°0 500 1,000250Feet
2010 AERIALAsh Creek Ecological Master Plan
°0 500 1,000250Feet
1934 AERIAL 2010 AERIAL
14Ash Creek Estuary Master PlanUNIT A. UPPER CREEK
2010 AERIALAsh Creek Ecological Master Plan
°0 500 1,000250Feet
15Ash Creek Estuary Master PlanUNIT A. UPPER CREEK
2010 AERIALAsh Creek Ecological Master Plan
°0 500 1,000250Feet
16Ash Creek Estuary Master PlanUNIT A. UPPER CREEK
2010 AERIALAsh Creek Ecological Master Plan
°0 500 1,000250Feet
17Ash Creek Estuary Master PlanUNIT A. UPPER CREEK
2010 AERIALAsh Creek Ecological Master Plan
°0 500 1,000250Feet
18Ash Creek Estuary Master Plan
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
2010 AERIALAsh Creek Ecological Master Plan
°0 500 1,000250Feet
UNIT A. UPPER CREEK
19Ash Creek Estuary Master PlanUNIT 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.
2010 AERIALAsh Creek Ecological Master Plan
°0 500 1,000250Feet
20Ash Creek Estuary Master Plan
UNIT B. LOWER CREEK
2010 AERIALAsh Creek Ecological Master Plan
°0 500 1,000250Feet
° 0 500 1,000250Feet
1934 AERIALAsh Creek Ecological Master Plan
°0 500 1,000250Feet
1934 AERIAL 2010 AERIAL
21Ash Creek Estuary Master Plan
2010 AERIALAsh Creek Ecological Master Plan
°0 500 1,000250Feet
UNIT B. LOWER CREEK
22Ash Creek Estuary Master PlanUNIT B. LOWER CREEK
2010 AERIALAsh Creek Ecological Master Plan
°0 500 1,000250Feet
23Ash Creek Estuary Master PlanUNIT B. LOWER CREEK
2010 AERIALAsh Creek Ecological Master Plan
°0 500 1,000250Feet
24Ash Creek Estuary Master PlanUNIT B. LOWER CREEK
2010 AERIALAsh Creek Ecological Master Plan
°0 500 1,000250Feet
25Ash Creek Estuary Master Plan
2010 AERIALAsh Creek Ecological Master Plan
°0 500 1,000250Feet
Existing Conditions• Aesthetic• Carbon Storage• Flood Protection• Habitat and Biodiversity• Hydrologic, Biogeochemical, and Ecological
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
26Ash Creek Estuary Master PlanUNIT 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.
2010 AERIALAsh Creek Ecological Master Plan
°0 500 1,000250Feet
27Ash Creek Estuary Master Plan
UNIT C. TIDAL INLET
° 0 500 1,000250Feet
1934 AERIALAsh Creek Ecological Master Plan
°0 500 1,000250Feet
2010 AERIALAsh Creek Ecological Master Plan
°0 500 1,000250Feet
1934 AERIAL 2010 AERIAL
28Ash Creek Estuary Master Plan
2010 AERIALAsh Creek Ecological Master Plan
°0 500 1,000250Feet
UNIT C. TIDAL INLET
29Ash Creek Estuary Master Plan
2010 AERIALAsh Creek Ecological Master Plan
°0 500 1,000250Feet
UNIT C. TIDAL INLET
30Ash Creek Estuary Master Plan
2010 AERIALAsh Creek Ecological Master Plan
°0 500 1,000250Feet
UNIT C. TIDAL INLET
31Ash Creek Estuary Master Plan
2010 AERIALAsh Creek Ecological Master Plan
°0 500 1,000250Feet
UNIT C. TIDAL INLET
32Ash Creek Estuary Master Plan
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/Deposition• Invasive Species• Dog Use• Storm Events• Jurisdictional Ovelap• Motorized watercraft• Sea Level Rise • Overuse
UNIT C. TIDAL INLET
2010 AERIALAsh Creek Ecological Master Plan
°0 500 1,000250Feet
33Ash Creek Estuary Master Plan
Potential Improvements
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.
2010 AERIALAsh Creek Ecological Master Plan
°0 500 1,000250Feet
UNIT C. TIDAL INLET
34Ash Creek Estuary Master Plan
UNIT D. TURNEY CREEK
° 0 500 1,000250Feet
1934 AERIALAsh Creek Ecological Master Plan
°0 500 1,000250Feet
2010 AERIALAsh Creek Ecological Master Plan
°0 500 1,000250Feet
1934 AERIAL 2010 AERIAL
35Ash Creek Estuary Master Plan
2010 AERIALAsh Creek Ecological Master Plan
°0 500 1,000250Feet
UNIT D. TURNEY CREEK
36Ash Creek Estuary Master PlanUNIT D. TURNEY CREEK
2010 AERIALAsh Creek Ecological Master Plan
°0 500 1,000250Feet
37Ash Creek Estuary Master PlanUNIT D. TURNEY CREEK
2010 AERIALAsh Creek Ecological Master Plan
°0 500 1,000250Feet
38Ash Creek Estuary Master Plan
Existing Conditions• Aesthetic• Carbon Storage• Flood Protection• Habitat and Biodiversity• Hydrologic, Biogeochemical, and Ecological
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
UNIT D. TURNEY CREEK
2010 AERIALAsh Creek Ecological Master Plan
°0 500 1,000250Feet
39Ash Creek Estuary Master Plan
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. 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.
UNIT D. TURNEY CREEK
2010 AERIALAsh Creek Ecological Master Plan
°0 500 1,000250Feet
40Ash Creek Estuary Master Plan
UNIT E. RIVERSIDE CREEK
° 0 500 1,000250Feet
1934 AERIALAsh Creek Ecological Master Plan
°0 500 1,000250Feet
2010 AERIALAsh Creek Ecological Master Plan
°0 500 1,000250Feet
1934 AERIAL 2010 AERIAL
41Ash Creek Estuary Master Plan
2010 AERIALAsh Creek Ecological Master Plan
°0 500 1,000250Feet
UNIT E. RIVERSIDE CREEK
42Ash Creek Estuary Master PlanUNIT E. RIVERSIDE CREEK
2010 AERIALAsh Creek Ecological Master Plan
°0 500 1,000250Feet
43Ash Creek Estuary Master Plan
2010 AERIALAsh Creek Ecological Master Plan
°0 500 1,000250Feet
UNIT E. RIVERSIDE CREEK
44Ash Creek Estuary Master Plan
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/Deposition• Invasive species• Upland Buffer• Fire• Impervious Surfaces• Marina Boat Basin• CT DEEP Water Quality assessment• Sea level rise
UNIT E. RIVERSIDE CREEK
2010 AERIALAsh Creek Ecological Master Plan
°0 500 1,000250Feet
45Ash Creek Estuary Master Plan
2010 AERIALAsh Creek Ecological Master Plan
°0 500 1,000250Feet
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.
UNIT E. RIVERSIDE CREEK
46Ash Creek Estuary Master Plan
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
°N0 500 1,000250Feet
EDUCATIONAL SIGNAGE
WALKING/BIKING ROUTE
PEDESTRIANBRIDGE
LANDING
IMPROVE PARKING
AREA
BUILDPUBLICBATHROOMS
RECONSTRUCT SIDEWALKWITH GREENINFRASTRUCTURETECHNOLOGIES
CREATESEATING
AREA
IMPROVEOPEN
SPACE
IMPROVE TRAIL
REDESIGNLOOKOUT
AREA
PLACEBIRD
BLIND
INSTALL PROTECTIVE DUNE FENCING
BUILD NEW PATH SYSTEM
CREATE STREETENDPARK
ONE SYSTEM, MANY PARTS
RESTORATION PLAN EDUCATION AND CIRCULATION PLAN
47Ash Creek Estuary Master 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.
49Ash Creek Estuary Master Plan
THANK YOU!
QUESTIONS?
50Ash Creek Estuary Master Plan