Stratford, CT

Stratford Point Living Shoreline & Tidal Wetland Restoration

This project consists of 750 feet of shoreline in Stratford, CT. The goal of the project was to protect the beach from coastal erosion and to help combat sea level rise. The steps consisted of adding a smooth cordgrass marsh, artificial shellfish reefs (reef balls), high marsh, and a coastal dune area. The site was awarded the “Best Restored Shore Area” from the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association. To adaptively manage the site, a second restoration project is being developed to extend the marsh seaward by 0.35 acres over an additional 250 feet of shore using a combination of bagged slipper shell and small, modular oyster castles near the marsh edge, along with additional cordgrass plantings in the intertidal zone.

Project Lead:

Sacred Heart University

Impact Information:
Thus far, the project has provided 750 feet of coastal erosion control, 4.5 acres of intertidal habitat, 1.5 acres of coastal dune habitat, and 25 acres of woodland/meadow mix. Monitoring has demonstrated that this living shoreline project has successfully prevented erosion, allowing sediment deposition, and salt marsh restoration. Increased horseshoe crab spawning and nursery habitat have also been observed.

Period of Completion: 2014-present

Total Cost: $1.3 M (2014 reef ball pilot + 2016 expansion - design/planning, implementation, and 5 years monitoring); $290,000 (oyster castle pilot - design/planning, implementation, and 1 year monitoring)

Funding Sources: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Connecticut In-Lieu Fee Program CIRCA Matching Funds NOAA 2017 Coastal Resilience Grant

Permits Needed: (1) CT DEEP Certificate of Permission; (2) Army Corps of Engineers CT General Permit for habitat restoration; (3) CT DEEP Natural Diversity Data Base (NDDB) State Listed Species Review

Contact Info:

LaTina Steele
203-396-8485
steelel@sacredheart.edu