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Event Summary
On Tuesday, June 13, more than 110 volunteers from all NOAA Line Offices joined students from Congressional Schools of Virginia, and Sligo Elementary School to restore the Chesapeake Bay as part of the third annual NOAA Restoration Day event. Participants planted underwater bay grasses originally grown in 17 NOAA offices and three at local schools, stabilized the shoreline with native plants, seeded an offshore oyster reef, monitored water quality, sampled fish and invertebrates, and participated in demos of innovative restoration techniques by NGS and CO-OPS. The activities were part of the Chalk Point oil spill restoration effort and took place in Trent Hall, MD.
Accomplishments
- Seeded offshore oyster reef with 100 bags (~250,000 oyster spat) of native oysters.
- Planted 56 trays of widgeon and redhead underwater Bay grasses from 19 systems in a 3 X 8 meter rectangle at 06 meters deep.
- Planted 500 Spartina alterniflora plants at beach site to stabilize shoreline
Planted 900 switch grass plugs and 200 marsh shrubs as a buffer around the created marsh.- Monitored the survival of wetland plants previously planted by contractors in 6 acre created marsh area.
- Identified 56 bird species (135 individuals) at the site including Bald Eagle, Great Blue Heron, Semi-palmated Sandpiper, and Purple Martin; and found 14 bird species "confirmed" as breeding.
- 8 species of fish were identified at the beach site including Silverside, Bay Anchovy, White Perch and Blue Crab.
- 6 species of fish were identified using the newly created marsh area.
- 11 groups of macro-invertebrates (46 individuals) were found in and near the created marsh area including Dragonfly larvae, Fingernail Clams and Mussels, a variety of aquatic worms, several Glass/Grass Shrimp, and also one Black Rat Snake (not an invertebrate, but still neat...). This number of Taxa reflects a good diversity for the first season of a newly created marsh with additional diversity expected in the future.
Location and Conditions on June 13, 2006:
- Created marsh area = 6 acres
- New beach area = 900 feet of shoreline and includes 2 acres terrapin nesting area
- Weather: Sunny, beautiful, low humidity, ~84 degrees
- Salinity: 12.6ppt
- Water clarity was good and Secchi depth was 0.9 meters
Agenda
Volunteer Supplies to Wear & Bring
- Download Volunteer Supply List
- Bagged lunch or snack(s). Limited bottled water will be provided.
- Bottled water/drinks
- Swimsuit and/or old clothes, you will get wet!! (Quick dry fabrics work best; we will have two tents for changing into dry clothes).
- Fieldwork clothes that can get muddy and wet (shorts and t-shirts). Remember to wear your NOAA logos.
- Old shoes/sneakers/Teva sandals that can get wet (BARE FEET NOT ALLOWED!!)
- Towel
- Dry change of clothes and shoes
- Plastic bag for your wet items
- Waterproof sunscreen
- Bug spray
- Binoculars (optional)
- Sunglasses (optional)
- Hat (optional)
- Jacket/sweatshirt (optional, if necessary)
- Work gloves (optional – some will be provided)
- Light weight/partial wet suit if it's cold that day (or chest waders)
- Bag to hold your gear (backpack or dry bag). Plan on bringing all necessary items along with you.
- Be prepared, check the forecast before leaving your house in the morning!
Check NOAA's National Weather Service Web site:
http://www.erh.noaa.gov/ifps/MapClick.php?
CityName=Mechanicsville&state=MD&site=LWX
Directions
The Trent Hall Restoration Site is located approximately 65 miles and 75 minutes away from Silver Spring, MD in Mechanicsville, MD. Arrive by 9:30 AM on Tuesday, June 13, 2006.
Carpooling and Reserving NOAA Vehicles
- Please carpool, there is limited room for parking.
- NOAA employees in Silver Spring should contact Calvin at the NOAA Motor Pool (301)713-1955 or e-mail Dispatch.pool@noaa.gov directly if you would like to use one of the limited numbers of minivans or cars from the NOAA Motor Pool.
- The motor pool is located in SSMC 4, 8th Floor.
- NOTE: Both contractors and FEDS can reserve vehicles with a valid driver's license.
Directions for Disassembling and Transporting Bay Grass Systems
It is best to keep the grasses submerged in the black tub until you are ready to transport them to Restoration Day, but they are fine overnight without power, light and/or the pump running if you choose to disassemble the system.
- Download transporting instructions (pdf, 1page, 20KB).
1. Turn off the power to your system.
2. Carefully remove the heater, pump, thermometer, and disassemble the lamps:
- Dry them off and place return back into their boxes.
- It is best to wrap the thermometer in paper-towel and place in a Ziploc bag.
- Please discard the sponge filter and the light bulbs.
3. Remove the trays with grasses from the black tub.
4. Place either wet newspaper or paper towel over the grasses in their trays.
5. Discard the water in the large black tub.
6. Wipe the tub out with a paper towel or dry towel. Do NOT use soap.
7. It is best to transport the grass trays in the black tub for stability in your vehicle:
- Place trays in your car (in the black tub) and make sure the grasses stay covered in the moist paper for the drive.
- Please do not stack the trays, it will crush your grasses
Remember to return all of your equipment in boxes at Restoration Day.
Rain Plan Procedure
Implementation of the rain contingency plan will be decided by 4:00pm the day before the event (Monday, June 12). This decision will be available through a recorded message. Call (301)713-3000 x110 after 5:00 to check the event status. NOTE: This event will only be postponed in the event of severe weather (e.g. thunderstorms), not for light rain or cold temperatures.
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