This project will result in removal of the existing DAM in the parker river off of larkin road in newbury, massachusetts IT will restore fish passage, water quality, habitat connectivity, and…

This project will result in removal of the existing DAM in the parker river off of larkin road in newbury, massachusetts IT will restore fish passage, water quality, habitat connectivity, and natural riverine sediment regimes to the parker river benefiting species will include anadromous alewife, blueback herring, american EEL, and sea lamprey this project will eliminate dilapidated infrastructure which impairs the resiliency of the parker river and the great marsh ecosystems to climate change hazards and stressors the parker river is a NOAA restoration center high priority watershed, massachusetts division of marine fisheries DMF high priority watershed, and a massachusetts division of ecological restoration DER priority watershed removal of the larkin road DAM will benefit the coastal resources in newbury and the great marsh, an outstanding natural resource and a designated area of critical environmental concern this DAM removal is an important step in a landscape scale and ecosystem based plan for restoration involving multiple partners, including the town of newbury, massachusetts DMF and DER, NOAA, USFWS, and the public archaeology laboratory need statement the town of newbury, massachusetts will remove the existing DAM in the parker river off larkinroad currently, the existing DAM structure impedes fish passage in the parker river foranadromous fish species such as alewife, blueback herring, american EEL, and sea lamprey thisproject will also benefit water quality and habitat connectivity, as well as restore naturalriverine sediment regimes to the parker river objectives this project will remove dilapidated infrastructure which impairs fish passage, habitatconnectivity, water quality, natural sediment regimes, and the resiliency of the parker river andthe great marsh ecosystems to climate change hazards and stressors approach methods the town of newbury will contract with DAM removal experts in coordination with the localdepartment of public works to remove DAM materials from the parker river removedmaterials will be hauled off site and disposed of appropriately prior to physical removal of thedam, the town of newbury is coordinating with an engineering firm, as well as localdepartments and state and federal agencies, to conduct sediment analysis, develop anemergency response plan related to the nearby interstate 95 overpass over the river, and obtainnecessary permits to conduct the physical removal expected results benefits outcomes this project is expected to provide several benefits to surrounding ecosystems and habitats these include the parker river and great marsh ecosystems the great marsh is a designatedarea of critical environmental concern, and the parker river is a NOAA restoration center highpriority watershed, MA division of marine fisheries high priority watershed, and a MA divisionof ecological restoration priority watershed removal of the DAM off larkin road is animportant step in a landscape scale plan for restoration, and will result in restoration ofanadromous fish passage, water quality, habitat connectivity, and natural riverine sedimentregimes project location this project is located on the parker river off larkin road in newbury, massachusetts timeline milestones the town of newbury has begun work with several partners to conduct analyses and planningfor the removal of the DAM final design and permitting are anticipated to begin in july 2022,and be completed by december 2023 physical removal is anticipated to be completed bydecember 2025 key personnel tracy blais, town administrator, town of newbury samantha holt, conservation agent, town of newbury authorized representative