Four Years After Sandy: Updates from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF)

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is investing $102.7 million in federal and partner funding for the Hurricane Sandy Coastal Resiliency Competitive Grant Program to incorporate innovative methods into 54 projects’ plans, designs, and/or restoration work that will strengthen coastal and inland areas in 12 states. The majority of NFWF projects continue to be early in the restoration process.

As of October 2016, NFWF has:

• Completed 2 research plans/studies;
• Restored 5 acres of wetland/marsh habitat;
• Restored 16 acres of floodplain (includes 1 acre of floodplains restoration designs);
• Installed 140 erosion control structures;
• Engaged 1,555 youth and veterans;
• Planned for a reduction of 61,600 gallons of stormwater.

In the coming year, we plan to:

• Develop a data platform for existing storm resources;
• Monitor restoration work at 6 beaches that are critical to horseshoe crabs and migratory bird species such as threatened red knots;
• Remove 9 barriers to fish passage;
• Award $15 million for ecological and socioeconomic monitoring projects that will track core ecological and socioeconomic metrics for 57 Hurricane Sandy projects that are conducting marsh, living shoreline, beach and dune, and aquatic connectivity restoration.

Highlighted projects:

Transforming Hoboken's Block 12 into a Green Infrastructure Asset 

The City of Hoboken, New Jersey developed restoration plans to transform Block 12’s one acre of impermeable space into a green infrastructure asset and open space property. Through careful engineering and design of space, the Block 12 project will increase stormwater management capacity and increase open space in an urban environment.  The planning grant was completed in October 2015 and is being implemented beyond the DOI-NFWF Hurricane Sandy grant with an anticipated completion date of June 2017.  

Protecting North Beach's Salt Marsh and Emergency Route

The Town of North Beach, Maryland restored and improved its shoreline by creating 670 feet of living shoreline, restoring 5 acres of wetland, and replacing invasive plant species with native vegetation.  Over 1,500 students and teachers helped plant native vegetation and conducted plant monitoring.  Additionally, over 1,200 students received lessons about this critical restoration work, and students will continue to conduct future monitoring of the replanted sites.  Creating living shoreline and strengthening the wetland is enhancing black duck habitat and protection of MD Route 261, which is a critical emergency route for the community.      

Reconnecting and Restoring the Allegany Reservoir
The Seneca Nation of Indians restored 19 miles of riparian buffer and reconnected land locked areas to the Allegany Reservoir in Cattaraugus County, New York.  Seven barriers to fish passage were rectified, enhancing fish spawning and wetland habitat.  Additionally, 15 jobs were created, with nine young people engaged in creating 140 erosion control structures.  This restoration project has incorporated several innovative restoration methods such as using post clusters to trap debris and sediment, while also allowing the tribe to continue their relationship between their community and environmental sustainability.