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Conservation Efforts in the Ash Creek Tidal Estuary in Bridgeport/Fairfield Connecticut
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Conservation Efforts
in Ash Creek
Ash Creek
Conservation
Association, Inc.
February 24, 2011
Our Mission
To preserve and protect one of the few
remaining tidal estuaries in an urban area in
the United States that provides an important
habitat for migratory shorebirds, oysters and
other shellfish, and an opportunity to
educate the public about this amazing,
fragile, and extraordinarily beautiful
ecosystem which has been self restoring
itself for more than 50 years.
Our Objectives - #1
To educate the public and
Bridgeport/Fairfield residents of the
significance of tidal estuaries such as Ash
Creek in their crucial role as delicate
environments for the maintenance of bird,
fish, and plant life
Our Objectives - #2
To educate about the potential source of
pollutants whenever there is human activity
in the area. For example, marinas and boat
usage increase toxins, affect nutrients, and
have an impact on the ecology of the Creek.
Our Objectives - #3
To advocate for the restoration and
protection of the Ash Creek tidal estuary
from ill-planned encroachments and
development which could significantly harm
the ecological balance of nature in the area.
Our Objectives - #4
To work for identification and designation
of especially sensitive areas in the Ash
Creek tidal estuary for special protection.
Our Objectives - #5
Obtaining designation of the Ash Creek
estuary as a wildlife sanctuary and
Connecticut coastal birding trail.
Our Objectives - #6
To develop sites and a trail along the Ash
Creek tidal estuary for visitor observations of
the variety of species of birds that visit and
nest there each year.
Our Objectives - #7
To encourage ecologically friendly uses of
Ash Creek and aesthetic enjoyment for the
people who live, work, and play in and
around it, including kayaking, canoeing, bird
watching, photography, painting, walking or
hiking and discourage destructive uses of
Ash Creek, including power boating and
docks.
History and Background
To understand our organization’s mission
and objectives, we need to take quick trip
back in time to the early 1900’s…
Ash Creek Wasn’t Valued in the Past
“Upriver to the Post Road bridge, is an
estuary-traversed marsh, of no good to
anyone. If this area could either be made
into a safe inland pond or a suitable yacht
basin, people innumerable, from both
neighboring communities would be
benefited.”
Bridgeport Telegram, 1952
Notice that the tidal wetlands have
been eradicated completely…
Great Marsh Island as a
“Rich Man’s Paradise”
Replacing the tidal estuary with an
inland lake…
Inland Lake with Dam
1977 Aerial View of Ash Creek
First Ash Creek Association
Formed in 1967 to preserve natural shoreline of Ash Creek and prevent fill and water pollution, preserve the remaining marshlands as a home for wildlife
They were catalyzed into action by a zoning permit on Livingston Avenue to fill in part of Ash Creek
Gathered the support of legislators and conservation groups throughout state
The first Ash Creek clean up…
Removed 28 Tons of Trash from Ash Creek
The entire community pitched in…
We Owe a Lot to Their Efforts
Active for about 20 years (1967 to 1987)
Like us they… Worked closely with the Connecticut Audubon
Society and CT Conservation Association
Fought long legal battles with state agencies
Without their efforts, we would not
have an Ash Creek to protect today
Thanks to Their Efforts
Ash Creek is one of the last healthy tidal estuaries in an urban area in the United States
It has been self-restoring itself for the past 50 years because of the clean ups and prevention of fills & development
Serves as a defacto wildlife sanctuary for nesting and migratory birds, shellfish, and finfish
Did You Know…
Ash Creek is one of the key stopover areas on the Eastern seaboard for palearctic shorebirds
Some migrate from the Arctic Circle to Argentina
Mudflats provide the food
Natural surroundings provide rest – afraid of docks and development
Ash Creek is one of the last 15 stopovers for
migratory shorebirds left in Connecticut
Did You Know…
Oysters have a high mortality rate – easily smothered by silt stirred up by powerboats
Commercial oyster growers rely on Ash Creek for seed oysters – very rare to find shallow water oyster bed – Bureau of Aquaculture considers Ash Creek to be a precious resource for seed oysters
Lower part of Ash Creek is a
state designated natural oyster bed
Present Ash Creek Association
16 year interval between associations
April 2003, the Ash Creek Conservation
Association (ACCA) was formed
The group was catalyzed into organizing by
Ganim’s plan for a 50’ dock on Ash Creek
ACCA believed the delicate ecological balance that
exists in lower Ash Creek could be disrupted by the
presence of docks and powerboat activity
Why We Fight Docks in Ash Creek
Shoreline equivalent of urban sprawl –development destroys the fringing tidal wetlands and the natural beauty we all enjoy
Given the shallowness and small size of this tidal estuary, the impact of powerboats have more impact than in other settings
Presence of manmade structures along with noise and motion from powerboats disturb migratory and nesting birds
Dock Accomplishments
Reduced Ganim 50’ dock to 31’
Reduced Mears 85’ dock to 35’
DEP denied 60’ Toner dock and made a
historic ruling that the DEP must now
consider the use of docks in making its
decisions, i.e. powerboat usage Update: after denying dock as a result of DEP
Adjudication Hearing process, DEP agreed to go to
mediation with Toner and now is allowing the 60’ dock, we
objected to this decision and are still awaiting final DEP
decision under new DEP commissioner)
Other Accomplishments…
Great Marsh Island ownership transferred from
developers to land trust & open space
Prevented utility bridge across Ash Creek (cables
went underground)
Habitat repair of Ash Creek sand spit after dredging
destroyed vegetation, ACCA volunteers planted
50,000 beach grass plugs
Semi-annual Ash Creek Clean Ups
Many interactive and education events involving
members and public
Events Sponsored in 2010…
February 28 – New Neighbors Social at the
Fayerweather Yacht Club, Speaker: Lisa Miro,
Conservation Director for City of Bridgeport
March 27– Spring Clean Up at Ash Creek
August 19 – Great Marsh Island Shorebird Hike at
Ash Creek (with Aspetuck Land Trust & led by Milan
Bull of CT Audubon)
September 25 – Fall Clean Up at Ash Creek
Events Sponsored in 2009…
March 15 – New Neighbors Social at the
Fayerweather Yacht Club
April 18 - Beach Grass Plantings at Ash Creek
May 12 – Audubon Bird Walk at Ash Creek with Milan
Bull
May 16 – Clean Up at Ash Creek
July 18 – Victory Party at Harborview Market
September 19 - Clean Up at Ash Creek
November 18 – Fall Event at Fayerweather Yacht Club
w. Prof. Mark Beekey, Sacred Heart University on
horseshoe crabs & migratory shorebirds
Events Sponsored in 2008…
February 2 – New Neighbors Social at the
Fayerweather Yacht Club featuring Charles Brilvitch on
the history of Black Rock
April 26 – Spring Clean Up at Ash Creek
May 15 – Audubon Bird Walk at Ash Creek with Milan
Bull
May 17 – Project Limulus at Ash Creek
September 20 – Fall Clean Up at Ash Creek
October 7 – Public Hearing on Toner Dock
October 25 – Beach Grass Plantings at sand spit
Events Sponsored in 2007…
March 19 – Ash Creek/Rooster River Watershed
seminar presented by Professor Kraig Steffen, Fairfield
University at Black Rock Arts Center
March 21 – Ash Creek/Rooster River Watershed
seminar presented by Professor Kraig Steffen, Fairfield
University at Connecticut Audubon Society in Fairfield
March 24 – New Neighbors Social at the Fayerweather
Yacht Club featuring Charles Brilvitch on the history of
Black Rock
May 5 – Spring Clean Up of Ash Creek
July 26 – Audubon Bird Walk with Milan Bull
Events Sponsored in 2006…
January 28 – New Neighbors Social at the Fayerweather Yacht Club featuring Dr. Art Samuelson on the history of Black Rock.
March 27 – Backyard Birding & the Ash Creek Ecosystem by Professor Tod Osier from Fairfield University
April 29 – Spring Clean Up of Ash Creek
June 17 – Great Marsh Island Celebration for the preservation of Great Marsh Island by the Aspetuck Land Trust and Town of Fairfield with refreshments and a walking tour of Ash Creek led by Milan Bull.
October 6 – Utility Bridge public meeting with CL&P and Black Rock/Fairfield community. Slide show and mock ups by CL&P. Slide show by ACCA. Q&A followed.
September 16 – Fall Clean Up of Ash Creek
November 13 - DEP Public Hearing on Utility Bridge
December 5 – Victory Party at Harborview for Utility Bridge
Events Sponsored in 2005…
January 27 - Winged Migration large screen showing of DVD at
Connecticut Audubon Society Center in Fairfield – open to public
April 30 – Spring Clean Up of Ash Creek -for the first year the
clean up on both sides of Ash Creek was coordinated
September 7 – Bird Tour of Ash Creek was held at 7 PM along
Ash Creek by Professor Kraig Steffen
September 17 - Walking Tour of Historical Black Rock and
Black Rock's maritime past by Charles Brilvitch will be held at 1
PM this Saturday starting at Harborview Market
September 24 – Fall Clean Up of Ash Creek which we also
coordinated with Mill River Wetlands Committee
Events Sponsored in 2004…
January 23 – Coastal Habitat Restoration in Black Rock –
presentation by Charles Brilvitch at Burroughs Community Center
March 18– Establishing National Wildlife Refuges in
Connecticut presentation by William Kolodnicki, Refuge
Manager, Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge
(USFWS) at Burrough Community Center
April 24 – Spring Clean Up of Ash Creek
September 18 – Fall Clean Up of Ash Creek
November 19 – Ash Creek’s Importance as a Migratory
Flyway presentation by Milan Bull of Connecticut Audubon
Society at Burroughs Community Center
Events Sponsored in 2003…
April 19 – Spring Clean Up of Ash Creek
June 10 – Ash Creek Tidal Estuary as a Habitat for Nesting
and Migratory Shorebird presentation by Milan Bull, CT
Audubon, and Ecological History of Ash Creek presentation by
Ed Jones, Fairfield Department of Conservation, at Burrough
Community Center
September 13 – Ash Creek Bird Walk led by Milan Bull, CT
Audubon
October 18 – Ash Creek Photography Exhibit & Sale -
fundraiser at Burroughs Community Center
Grants Received…
2004 – $5,000 Rivers Alliance Grant for public watershed
education of Rooster River/Ash Creek watershed
RESULT – Created public watershed education road show with
PowerPoint presentation and handouts, including information on
stormwater runoff and what residents can do to prevent further
pollution. Program was readapted for use at St. Ann’s School in Black
Rock.
2003 – $2,000 NE Grassroots Environmental Fund to organize
and participate in DEP hearings against the construction of a 50’
dock in the Ash Creek Tidal Estuary
RESULT – Precedent setting ruling by DEP to not only reduce size of
dock, but to allow window of time during high tide when boat is allowed
to access the dock
Some Memorable Moments…
Bird Tours
2004 Blue Heron Ball
Ganim Dock…
Ash Creek Art Fundraiser…
2006 Blue Heron Ball…
2006 Utility Bridge Fight
Utility Bridge Victory Party…
2008 Project Limulus…
Ash Creek Clean Ups…
Thank you