Restoration Center News
Gloucester Event Highlights Accomplishments
By Stephanie Hunt (November 20, 2003)
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On November 20th, a group of over 100 people gathered in
Gloucester, Massachusetts, to celebrate the rebirth of three New England
salt marshes. With funding from the NOAA Community-based Restoration Program
and nearly 20 other partners, tidal flow was restored to marsh systems
in Essex, Rockport, and Gloucester, Massachusetts.
"This is truly an important day," said Rollie Schmitten, Director
of the Office of Habitat Conservation in NOAA Fisheries, about the event.
Restoring coastal salt marshes supports local industry in Gloucester and
other New England fishing communities by providing forage fish and juvenile
habitat for commercially and recreationally valuable species. The fishing
industry provided cash and in-kind services to support these restoration
efforts.
NOAA’s Community-based Restoration Program (CRP) contributed over $56,000 to the three restoration projects and has helped fund 50 other projects within the Gulf of Maine. The CRP strives to promote stewardship of living marine resources by supporting partnerships and grassroots habitat restoration activities.
Links:
- Restoring the flow and ebb: Culvert projects to help marshes, Boston Sunday Glode (November 30, 2003)
- Culverts to help restore salt marshes, Gloucester Daily Times (November 21, 2003)
- More pictures
