The litte river estuary in wells kennebunk, maine is a 141-acre salt marsh owned by rachel carson national wildlife refuge

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (DOI) awarded a $160,000 Cooperative Agreement under the National Wildlife Refuge System Enhancements program (CFDA 15.654) to Northeast Wetland Restoration, a sole proprietorship located in Berwick, Maine. The purpose of this 5-year project is to correct marsh surface hydrology and improve salt marsh resilience to climate change and sea level rise at the 141-acre Little River Estuary in the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge in Wells, Maine. Northeast Wetland Restoration will coordinate with the refuge to deliver salt marsh restoration designs and implement innovative techniques to halt marsh subsidence, invigorate plant growth, and enhance wildlife habitat. The project aims to address vegetation dieback, pool expansion, and marsh surface subsidence issues impacting critical wildlife habitat in the estuary.

Abstract

As a result of impacted surface water hydrology, poor EBB tide drainage, and rising sea levels. These conditions impair vital wildlife habitat for trust resource species. The purpose of this project is to correct marsh surface hydrology and improve salt marsh resilience in the face of climate change and sea level rise, using the 4-tier design approach developed by northeast wetland restoration. This design approach uses innovative restoration techniques to halt marsh subsidence patterns, invigorate plant growth and elevation building processes, improve habitat for wildlife including trust resources and plan for adaptative management needs. Northeast wetland restoration will coordinate with the rachel carson national wildlife refuge, land management research and demonstration biologist to deliver salt marsh restoration designs and implement marsh restoration implementation for 141 acres at the little river in wells, kennebunk, maine.