1Piermont Marsh Management Considerations

2Long-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

3Key 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

4Planning 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

5Context Variable salinity, brackish to fresh Nutrient enrichment in Tappan Zee Sea level rise rate is inch/year Piermont is a globally rare marsh,

unique on Hudson River

6Marsh erosion at east edge

7Lots of storm debris & wrack

8Diminishing salt meadows

9Conservation 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)

10

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

11

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

12

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

13

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

14

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.

Piermont Marsh Management ConsiderationsLong-term marsh management goalsKey take-home messagesPlanning approach Context Marsh erosion at east edgeLots of storm debris & wrackDiminishing salt meadowsConservation targets what do we mean?Conservation targets (draft, partial list)Wide range of management options to achieve conservation targetsPotential Constraints OpportunitiesLast thoughts