1
Strategic Public Partnering For Ecological Benefit Leveraging Regulatory Requirements and Funding Opportunities Robert A. Bevilacqua, Michael Baker Jr., Inc. The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) Route 52 Causeway Replacement Project at nearly $500M is one of the largest transportation infrastructure improvement projects undertaken in the State. The project involves reconstructing approximately 2.8 miles of NJ Route 52 including replacement of four existing bridges crossing over two miles of the Great Egg Harbor Bay Estuary. Construction will result in unavoidable impacts to sensitive environmental resources including wetlands and aquatic estuarine habitat. The NJDOT along with their design engineer Michael Baker Jr., Inc. approached the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) to enter into a partnership to acquire and preserve a waterfront property desired for its high ecological value under pressure of being developed. Both State Agencies entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that leveraged federal and state funding sources to assist with the acquisition and preservation of the Malibu Beach property in order to satisfy regulatory requirement for compensatory mitigation for the Route 52 Causeway Replacement Project. The Malibu Beach property in Egg Harbor Township is now managed by the NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife as a component of the Malibu Beach Wildlife Management Area (WMA). The 28.5 ac parcel is recognized as an extraordinary ecological and recreational resource for being one of the last remaining natural beachfront areas along the southern New Jersey shoreline and the only such area between Ocean City and Atlantic City. Project Partners New Jersey Department of Transportation New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection—Division of Fish and Wildlife, Division of Land Use Regulation, Green Acres Program, and Endangered Non‐game Species Program US Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration Unites States Army Corps of Engineers, Philadelphia District Cape May County Engineer’s Office Rowbear Consulting, P.C. Amy S. Greene Environmental Consultants, Inc. The Bioengineering Group Agate Construction Contact Information Robert A. Bevilacqua, Michael Baker Jr., Inc., 300 American Metro Boulevard, Hamilton, NJ 08619 Phone: 609‐807‐9500 Email: [email protected] www.mbakercorp.com The bayward edge, sandy beach, dune complex, and brackish water pond offer suitable habitat for protected species including piping plover (Charadrius melodus), black skimmer (Rynchops niger), glossy ibis (Plegadis falcinellus), yellow and black‐crowned night herons (Nyctanassa violacea, Nycticorax nycticorax), and least tern (Sterna antillarum). The native vegetation and brackish shallow water pond with fringing emergent wetlands are recognized as an EPA Priority wetland for its value to wildlife, especially migratory bird populations. The Malibu Beach WMA complex is recognized as one of the most valuable resting and foraging sites for migratory birds using the Atlantic Flyway. Since the 1930’s the beach, dunes and marsh have severely eroded with nearly 1,000 ft of degradation. If erosion continues, the entire beach, dune, pond and emergent wetland community could be lost. However, beach erosion has resulted in some significant benefits by exposing the underlying marsh sod banks that support a rich macroinvertebrate community providing forage for migratory bird species. The NJDOT and the Michael Baker Jr., Inc. team initiated ecological restoration and enhancement activities at Malibu Beach in 2008. Construction activities included removal of the existing concrete rubble, debris and invasive non‐native vegetation. This provided opportunities for expansion and enhancement of wetland and upland communities . Shoreline habitat enhancement provided expanded waterfowl foraging and potential nesting area for diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin). The overall result of the strategic partnership and innovative approach to compensatory mitigation has been the preservation of valuable wildlife habitat, expansion and enhancement of habitat, supplementing limited state funding for wildlife management, and elimination of the imminent threat of development to this important ecological and recreational resource. National Conference on Ecosystem Restoration July 20—24, 2009 Foraging black skimmers (Rynchops niger) from a nearby nesting colony. Recently hatched diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin). Diamondback terrapin (M. terrapin) Glossy ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) foraging in the mud of the brackish water pond. Great egret (Ardea alba) hunting in the emergent fringe. Photo by JMS Recognizing the potentially conflicting adverse effects due to gradual loss of this habitat as well as threats to adjacent critical infrastructure, the NJDOT and NJDEP have partnered to provide beach nourishment through the beneficial re‐use of dredge material from the nearby Route 52 construction. This collaboration will slow down the loss of shoreline habitat while saving taxpayers over a million dollars in dredge material disposal costs. Smooth Cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora) Wetland and upland fringe after planting in 2008. Wetland planting in progress in 2008 (Spartina alterniflora and Spartina patens). Typical shoreline condition prior to restoration and enhancement. Yellow‐crowned night herons (Nyctanassa violacea) forage here during summer months. American black ducks (Anas rubripes) resting in the newly created emergent fringe habitat. Malibu Beach is open to the public for recreation. A concession to allow dogs is a controversial management approach to direct them away from piping plover nesting beaches. 1930 1995 2007 Public ownership has allowed for improved opportunities for recreational access and greater opportunities for public education, appreciation, and awareness of the unique ecosystem values present at Malibu Beach. Since increased human activity as a result of unrestricted public access can disturb wildlife, balance between conservation and public recreation is a primary goal for all stakeholders involved in the management of the site. In an innovative management approach, dog walking is encouraged here to reduce impacts to other nearby shorebird beach nesting sites. In this case study, collaborative efforts between the NJDEP, NJDOT and the general public have resulted in enhanced wildlife and human habitat and preservation of priority natural resource areas with significant cost savings to the State. Public education and awareness campaigns have successfully achieved a balance between wildlife and human use. Future education and outreach efforts are being considered for implementation by the NJDOT in cooperation with the NJDEP including construction of interpretive signing and educational nature tours. Delineation of sod bank erosion from aerial photography—1997 through 2007. Route 52 Causeway Malibu Beach Wildlife Management Area Great Egg Harbor Bay Risley Channel
