Photo: Erik Kiviat/Hudsonia, 1982

Piermont Marsh Fact-Finding

Meeting 4, May 21, 2015

Update: Where are we in the process?

1. Goal SettingWhat are the goals for marsh management?

2. Fact FindingWhat do we know, and

what do we still need to find out?

3. Plan Development

What are the objectives and approaches for

achieving goals?

4. Plan Implementation

and adaptive management as needed

Fact-Finding Topics Piermont Marsh habitats and biological diversity (9/30/14)Water quality and the marsh (11/13/14) The marsh and storm protection (1/7/15)Marsh vegetation management (5/21/15)

Presentations available at: www.hrnerr.org

Meeting 4: AgendaWhat do we know about methods of managing marsh vegetation?

6:00 – 6:05 Welcome – Betsy Blair, Mayor Sanders

6:05 – 6:20 Marsh management considerations – Betsy Blair

6:20 – 6:50 Conspectus of Phragmites management techniques – Erik Kiviat

6:50 – 7:20 Restoration of marshes along the Delaware Estuary – Gary Bickle

7:20 – 7:50 Case Studies 7:20 – 7:35 Constitution Marsh – David Decker 7:35 – 7:50 Ramshorn Marsh – Chris Zimmerman

7:50 – 8:25 Questions for the speakers (from audience and from index cards)

8:25 – 8:30 Next steps

Make available a meeting summary and the presentations on the HRNERR website (www.hrnerr.org/piermont-marsh/)

Use the information presented at this meeting to inform the development of the draft marsh management plan objectives and approach

Continue the dialogue about marsh management

Next Steps

Photo: Dorothy Peteet, 1998

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Piermont Marsh Management Considerations

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Long-term marsh management goals Sustain native marsh communities Promote marsh resiliency to sea level

riseMaintain or enhance storm protection for

Village Increase scientific knowledge and public

understanding of marsh

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Key take-home messages Only envision small-scale pilot projects followed by monitoring &

assessment, adaptation, and where appropriate, modest scale-ups

Not thinking about any activity that would at any time involve all or large parts of the marsh

Minimal work at north end, if any – would not be visible from Village

Now considering many options beyond just Phragmites management

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Planning approach Convene fact-finding meetings to explore larger topics Continue to explore the context for management: current

conditions, trends, threats, and opportunities Hone in on desired outcomes more specifically Evaluate many management options to achieve these

outcomes Continue to talk with the community and regional experts

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Context Variable salinity, brackish to fresh Nutrient enrichment in Tappan Zee Sea level rise rate is ¼ inch/year Piermont is a globally rare marsh,

unique on Hudson River

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Marsh erosion at east edge

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Lots of storm debris & wrack

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Diminishing salt meadows

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Conservation targets – what do we mean?- Habitats (e.g., salt meadows)- Species (e.g., terrapins or rare plants) - Ecosystem services (e.g. wave attenuation to

buffer Village)

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Conservation targets (draft, partial list)- Salt meadows & shallow pools persist - Rare plants persist - Diamond-back terrapin use of marsh &

environs enhanced?- Wave energy on marsh edge buffered?- All of above need more detail on what,

how much, & when

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Wide range of management options to achieve conservation targets Restore marsh vegetation Expand marsh to east and south Add constructed habitats to support wildlife and serve as

protective barriers, potentially including oysters where conditions permit

Restore marsh vegetation

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Potential Constraints Long-term – funding, agency resources, public support Short-term – all of above, plus consistency with bridge

permit requirements Regulatory – regulations may preclude certain actions, such

as marsh creation where none previously existed Feasibility – conditions may not be right, for instance oyster

growth is limited by low salinity

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Opportunities High public interest in marshMany partnership opportunities for stewardship & educationGrowing research infrastructure in place Source of funding in place to launch long-term marsh

restorationWe are much more aware of climate impacts, and have a

chance to take action to benefit both our natural and human communities

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Last thoughtsWe have by no means settled on where or how we might

seek to control Phragmites at Piermont Marsh. Tonight is intended to provide an overview of marsh

vegetation management approaches, and to look at two local examples of Phragmites control.

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Make available a meeting summary and the presentations on the HRNERR website (www.hrnerr.org/piermont-marsh/) Use the information presented at this meeting to inform the

development of the draft marsh management plan objectives and approach Continue the dialogue about marsh management and refine draft

plan

Next Steps