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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAcheson_Monitoring Report_2023-10 MONITORING REPORT DEP File Number: SE 83-2279 Project Address: 162B Pleasant Street Assessment Period: October 2022 – October 2023 Project Documents: Site Plan Showing the Proposed Re-Building of an Existing Licensed Pier System in and Over the Waters of Bass River by Down Cape Engineering, Inc., signed and stamped by Daniel A Ojala, P.E., P.L.S., dated 5/8/2021 Project Overview This project involved the re-building of an existing pier system in and over the waters of Bass River, along with the installation and anchoring of a coir roll array. After installation of the coir roll array was covered with coir matting and nourished with compatible native sand. The array was then planted with a mix of native shrubs and grasses to aid in bank stabilization. Project Activities Completed during Assessment Period Eight (8) maintenance visits were completed throughout the assessment period. Through the winter months, site checks were completed as necessary after storm events to check on the condition of the fiber roll array. In spring 2023, it was evident that beach nourishment was necessary to cover the coir rolls and encourage vegetation growth. Nourishment material of equal grain size was placed at an appropriate slope above the coir rolls. American beach grass (Ammophila breviligulata) was subsequently planted to revegetate above the coir rolls. Throughout the growing season, maintenance visits primarily focused on the assessment of native restoration plantings and invasive species management. Assessment of Current Site Conditions Invasive Species Management Species that were the predominate focus during maintenance visits included Oriental Bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus) and Brambles (Rubus sp.). At the time of the field assessment, the project area demonstrated approximately 90% control of invasive species. Rugosa rose (Rosa rugosa), English ivy (Hedera helix), and Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) were observed beginning to spread into the project area, but were minor. Restoration Planting Establishment The American beach grass (Ammophila breviligulata) plugs have flourished this growing season, and approximately 95% of them have sustained. The High-tide bush (Iva frutescens) that were installed in October 2021 are still on-site, but they are not establishing as quickly. CLM will install twenty (20) supplemental High-tide bush in an effort to establish a more robust vegetative buffer along the coastal beach. Anticipated Activities to be Completed Next Monitoring Period Over the next monitoring period, CLM anticipates completing the following activities: • Monitor restoration area and perform maintenance treatments or hand weed invasive, non-native, and aggressive species that have germinated from existing seed bank or re-sprouted from roots remaining in the soil. • Monitor the coir roll array, especially following storm events, to assess any damage and nourish as necessary. • Planting of additional High-tide bush (Iva frutescens) to enhance the vegetated buffer strip. Recommendations for any Changes in Land Management Techniques No recommendations for changes in land management techniques are recommended at this time. Unexpected or Arbitrary Changes to the Project Area A storm check was completed after the August 8, 2023 storm. Heavy rains resulted in stormwater run-off damage. The damage was minimal and maintenance crews were able to restore a natural slope. Representative Project Area Photographs Before nourishment. December 2022. During nourishment. May 2023. Beach grass is established along the coastal bank, above the coir rolls. October 2023. Area where supplemental High-tide bush plantings will be installed to establish a more robust vegetative buffer along the coastal beach. October 2023.