The agreement provides funding to the new jersey sports and exposition authority

Specifically, the recipient will build on earlier efforts to document the baseline conditions of the new jersey meadowlands' sawmill creek wildlife management area by expanding these efforts to include the portion of the sawmill creek located west of the new jersey turnpike, which includes the sawmill flats, harrier flats and harrier meadows. The information developed will be assessed to improve understanding of the site's vulnerability to increasing impacts from climate change, fill knowledge gaps, expand on information developed in previous EPA-funded projects, and inform future management decisions on how to restore the natural ability of the meadowlands' marshes to dampen flood surges, provide functional habitat and store carbon. Activities:year 1. Initiate project, conduct field studies, develop model 1ST q kick-off project: establish grant account (task 1.1) and prepare and submit qapp (task 1.2). After approval of qapp: contract engineer for hydrodynamic and sediment transport model, and other engineering tasks (task 1.3), hold kick-off meeting with team members (task 1.4), and purchase field supplies (task 2) and deploy equipment (task 3). 2ND q conduct field activities: continue field monitoring (task 3) and survey culverts under sawmill trail (task 4) 3RD q develop maps and models: develop topographic, bathymetric and habitat maps (task 5), begin hydrodynamic and sediment transport modeling (task 6), and complete field monitoring (task 3). 4TH q analysis and synthesis of data: send preliminary hydrodynamic and sediment transport model to EPA for review (task 6), document field data results, and conduct QA/QC analysis of data (tasks 7 and 8). Year 2. Data and model validation and calibration, synthesis and dissemination of results 1ST q continued analysis and synthesis of data: validate and calibrate hydrodynamic and sediment transport model (task 6), and, if insufficient data collection is found during QA/QC review, revisit data collection sites (task 3). 2ND q develop results and reports: develop model results and report (task 6), begin development of restoration alternative approaches (task 7), begin project report write-up (task 8), and begin development of arcgis story map (task 8). 3RD q finalizing project materials: submit draft report and story map to EPA for review (task 8), finalize hydrodynamic and sediment transport model (task 6), organize workshop (task 8), and develop social media and educational materials (task 8). 4TH q closing out project: develop and submit final report (task 8), develop draft manuscripts of results and data visualization (task 8), hold workshop (task 8), and close out project.subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:the outputs from this study will include measured and monitored flow velocities and tidal baseline conditions, results from the hydrodynamic and sediment modeling study for western sawmill creek coupled with the results from the eastern sawmill creek, and potential future marsh restoration strategies that enhance habitat, create a more resilient wetland ecosystem, and maximize carbon sequestration potential. The outcomes will include improved understanding of wetland ecologic conditions under changing climate conditions, be replicable in marshes faced with similar climate stressors, provide the state with information regarding current and future carbon sequestration opportunities, and help to increase the quality and quantity of wetlands found in the meadowlands. Beneficiaries of this work include coastal wetland managers and restoration practitioners, the njsea, and the citizens of new jersey who live adjacent to and near the meadowlands.