Estuary Enhancement Program Restores Functional Salt Marsh and Increases the Productivity of Selected Aquatic Species in Delaware Bay

Weston Solutions, Inc. (WESTON^®) provided oversight of wetlands restoration activities under the Estuary Enhancement Program of Public Service Electric and Gas (PSE&G). This program restored or enhanced 14,000 acres of impacted tidal or historically tidal wetlands in the Delaware Bay. 

WESTON was involved in all aspects of the wetlands assessment, including wetland restoration design of a 4,000-acre salt hay farm. These wetlands were separated from the Delaware Bay by a series of dikes that restrict tidal action, which has resulted in the uncontrolled growth of Phragmites australis, an undesirable species of vegetation in the Bay.

WESTON conducted environmental habitat assessments and design work on the site to identify a preferred design alternative.  The preferred alternative included dike construction and maintenance, channel construction, breaching of dikes, accelerated sedimentation in areas with elevations too low to permit establishment of salt marsh vegetation, construction of habitat islands using dredge material, and Phragmites australis control.  A flood study was also completed to assess the potential for flooding in the region as a result of the proposed site restoration.  Additional tasks included the preparation of permit applications, an environmental assessment, a management plan, and a construction document. WESTON also participated in a public outreach program and provided construction oversight.

Several WESTON suggestions were incorporated into PSE&G’s Estuary Enhancement program, helping to maximize the amount of wetland acreage used in granting PSE&G’s permit.