Wellfleet and Truro, Massachusetts
Key Reference Documents and Sources
Several years ago the Herring River Technical Committee (HRTC), including a Stakeholder's Group, developed the technical issues, engaged local residents in addressing individual and community issues and produced a Conceptual Restoration Plan (CRP). The CRP served as the basis for approval by the Boards of Selectmen of Wellfleet and Truro and the Cape Cod National Seashore to proceed with detailed planning.
The Herring River Restoration Committee (HRRC), consisting of representatives of the Towns of Truro and Wellfleet, the National Seashore and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, US Fish & Wildlife Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service and Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management, is currently engaged in the detailed planning effort. The Conceptual Restoration Plan contains a project overview and description, the existing environment
and assessment of the project impact, and much more.
(Click here for link to Conceptual Restoration Plan)
A map of the floodplain and potentially affected area can be viewed by clicking here.
The Cape Cod National Seashore has an excellent website on the Herring River Tidal Restoration project. (Click here)
The Town of Wellfleet home page contains background information, minutes of the Technical and Stakeholder Committees and other official documentation. (Click here)
On November 15th, 2009 Gary Joseph, Chair of the Herring River Restoration Committee (HRRC) and Wellfleet representative to HRRC briefed attendees at the State of Wellfleet Harbor Conference on the current status of the project. Don Palladino, President of the Friends Board, announced the establishment of Friends of Herring River and its purpose. Click here for a copy of the presentation.
Research Papers
Click on the following for recent research papers and historic maps.
"Tidal Restoration for Wellfleet’s and Truro’s Herring River Estuary: Common Benefits"
Click here for a diagram of the benefits of a restored tidal range and salinity of the marsh.
What is the problem?
Originally open to Wellfleet Harbor at Chequesset Neck, the mouth of the Herring River was diked in 1909, drastically restricting the frequency, range, and duration of tidal inundation. The impacts from this diminished tidal activity include the loss of productive salt marsh habitat, water quality degradation, nuisance insect production, loss of fisheries, loss of shellfish habitat, and subsidence of the floodplain surface elevation.
What is the restoration benefit?
Functioning optimally, estuarine communities that are formed by a complex mixing of tidally-driven saltwater and freshwater discharge, are among the most productive ecosystems on the earth. The sub-tidal waters and intertidal salt marshes of these areas are vital in pollution control, storm surge protection, fish and shellfish habitat, water bird use and overall near-shore productivity.
Herring River Network:
- Cape Cod National Seashore
- Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management
- Safe Harbor - Herring River Restoration
Other related sites:
- Association to Preserve Cape Cod
- Friends of Cape Cod National Seashore
- Wellfleet Conservation Trust
- Truro Conservation Trust