Project summarythe project proposed will include the restoration of 3 sites on chincoteague national wildlife refuge virginia, using nature-based solutions

The enhancement of lighthouse meadow (4 acres), SOW pond (48 acres), and assateague channel (30 acres) will result in 82 acres of tidal salt marsh being restored. The project goals are to restore historical hydrology to marsh habitats, build resiliency in the face of mounting threats, and increase habitat for marsh nesting birds, fish, and shellfish. These projects also serve to create templates or demonstration projects that can build the knowledge base and acceptance within the restoration and natural resources community (especially associated with the beneficial use of dredge material and elevation enhancement to reconstruct degraded or lost tidal wetlands). These goals will be attained through the (1) breach and removal of dike and water control structures on impounded wetlands to reintroduce tidal flow and (2) thin layer deposition of sediment in the marsh to build elevation coupled with planting of various marsh grasses to reestablish the marsh platform.project activities, methods, and timetable: phase i: phase i is identified by 1,699,309 of funds available immediately to begin a multi-phase, tierfundedapproach to the projects proposed at chincoteague NWR. This initial funding is cash funds from avariety of sources including hurricane sandy resiliency funds and hurricane sandy recovery funds, supplemented by in-kind value from the town of chincoteague, chincoteague NWR, and usfwsecologicalservices restoration division. Funds are available immediately to complete all proposedactivities on 52 acres at SOW pond and lighthouse meadow at an expected cost of 518,997. With theremaining 1,180,312 of funds after the completion of SOW pond and lighthouse meadows, we will alsobegin implementation of the assateague channel restoration and expect to complete 14.25 acres ofrestoration work.phase II: phase II is identified by 500,000 of funding that will become available in FY24, by theusfws, to further implement restoration activities on assateague channel. 6.21 acres of restoration workplanned at assateague channel will be completed in phase II, with expected completion in FY 25.phase III: implementation of the final phase (phase III) of the project is dependent on securingnecessary funding, and on the costs and sources of the needed sediment. We expect the total costs ofphase III to be 770,967, thus completing the remaining 9.6 acres of the assateague channel restoration.phase III could occur concurrent with phase II if the necessary funding is secured, or not get implementeduntil future years as funding is identified.when and if phase III is completed no subsequent activities are anticipated.