WASHINGTON, DC – Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Senator John F. Kerry, and
Congressman Bill Delahunt today announced that the Senate Appropriations Committee has approved $1.5 million to help fund acquisition of a 25-acre parcel in the Town of Wellfleet to restore the adjacent 1100-acre Herring River estuary.   The funding was included as part of the Fiscal Year 2007 Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations bill which passed through Committee last week and should be voted through the Senate later this fall.

"The Herring River project is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to preserve part of Cape Cod’s natural beauty," Senator Kennedy said.  "We’re grateful for the local commitment and dedication to this project, and to our colleagues who’ve agreed to support those efforts.   This is a bold preservation project, and we’re proud to support it."

"This funding will help create habitat and restore the watershed – two important goals not only for wildlife, but for the public as well," Senator Kerry said. "I am proud to have worked with both Senator Kennedy and Congressman Delahunt to secure the funds for this important project."      

Congressman Delahunt said, "Let there be no doubt, the tide has turned for good – I look forward to the not so distant future when Herring River teams again with wildlife at once bountiful levels." 

This funding would be the second infusion of federal support for the largest wetland restoration project in the Commonwealth’s history.  Last year, the Senators and Congressman secured $500,000 as down payment to support Wellfleet’s efforts to acquire land adjacent to the Herring River – a critical first step to revive the deteriorating estuary for recreation, wildlife and commercial fishermen.

The $2 million total in federal funds would be matched by $3 million from local, state, private and nonprofit partners. Based on extensive research by partners, the restoration of natural tidal flow is critical to improve habitat for a host of salt marsh dependent species and 6.5 miles of river habitat that is currently obstructed and severely degraded.  Upon completion of the project, the partners will create a trail for public access to the site, affording opportunities for wildlife viewing and education about the importance of wetland restoration.

Over the last century, a decaying dike has constricted the opening used for ocean tides to replenish the habitat’s ecosystem with salt water. The estuary no longer supports once-thriving waterfowl and fish populations –including herring, the river’s namesake. Invasive plant species have also encroached on essential fauna, such as salt marsh hay and black grass.

Acquisition of property is the keystone to first phase of the project.  Then the second phase will involve rebuilding the dike, which will allow for improved water flow to create new salt marsh habitat and accelerate the restoration of the watershed for wildlife, water quality, commercial and recreation uses to once bountiful levels.

Based on over decade of scientific modeling, the National Seashore, the town, property owners recently signed a memorandum of understanding to guide the restoration efforts as they move forward.

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