wetlands restoration

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Largest Ecosystem Restoration Project in U.S. History Receives Final Permits

Largest ecosystem restoration project in U.S. history receives final permits. (2022, December 19). Environmental Defense Fund. Retrieved January 28, 2023, from https://www.edf.org/media/largest-ecosystem-restoration-project-us-history-receives-final-permits 

The US Army Corps of Engineers signed the final permits for the largest ecosystem restoration project in U.S. history last December. This $2.3 billion investment will strengthen wetlands in Louisiana’s Barataria Basin and reconnect them back to the Mississippi. This action is important because the Mississippi River fortifies the state’s coast by distributing sand, silt, and clay sediments. This protects coastal inhabitants from hurricanes and storms. Unfortunately, massive flood control and levees have disrupted the river’s natural sediment distribution. This restoration project will also support thousands of jobs and create economic prosperity.

This article relates to environmental science because it describes the ecosystem services that rivers provide. The Mississippi River is integral to strong coasts that protect against natural disasters. The article also touches upon human impact. Dams and levees for flood protection block the Mississippi from reaching the Louisiana delta. My reaction to this article is positive. I’m glad that the government is willing to take such substantive action to restore nature. Especially with such a large water body as the Mississippi River, it’s crucial we take advantage of our surroundings.

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New Jersey Grants $24 Million for Environmental Restoration

Marshall, N. (2023, January 24). 14 N.J. projects awarded $24M in grants to plant more than 4K trees, restore marshes. nj.com. Retrieved January 28, 2023, from https://www.nj.com/news/2023/01/14-nj-projects-awarded-24m-in-grants-to-plant-more-than-4k-trees-restore-marshes.html 

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection will grant $24.3 million dollars to 14 towns to fund urban greenery, marsh revitalization, and forest restoration. Restoring these natural resources will improve carbon dioxide sequestration and thus reduce greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere. Tidal marshes, for example, act as carbon sink that store carbon safely in the ground. Coastal salt marshes also serve another purpose—they protect against sea level rise and storm-caused flooding. By planting trees, N.J. cities can combat the ‘heat island effect,’ when cities are hotter due to heat-absorbing infrastructure and a lack of foliage. 

This article relates to environmental science because it touches on environmental phenomena like carbon sinks, climate change, and the ‘heat island effect’. This article made me happy because it demonstrates how humans can benefit from natural services. It is good that states are making an effort to restore their natural resources through grants such as N.J.’s ​​Natural Climate Solutions Grant program. Living in Menlo Park, I know how beneficial it is to have looks of trees, for cooling, aesthetics, and also to filter pollution.

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Stanford Research Shows Benefits of Environmental Restoration In Protecting Against Sea-level Rise

Cafasso, S. Stanford researchers reveal add-on benefits of natural defenses against sea-level rise. Stanford News Service. (2022, June 9). Retrieved August 28, 2022, from https://news.stanford.edu/press-releases/2022/06/09/nature-defense-sea-level-rise/ 

Stanford researchers found that San Mateo environmental restoration projects are shielding the impacts of sea-level rise in a paper published June 9. Essentially, marshland conservation and beach restoration are as effective as concrete sea walls at preventing flooding. The researchers used the software InVEST to model three scenarios: the San Francisco Bay coastline lined with concrete seawalls, current conservation and restoration projects i.e. salt pond rehabilitation, and other nature-based projects like marshland protection. They found that the latter two scenarios to be abundantly more effective at reducing stormwater pollution than the former, showing additional benefits of nature-based solutions. 

This article relates to environmental science because it deals with the environmental problem of sea-level rise, affecting our community. Moreover, it discusses environmental projects regarding natural phenomenons like marshlands and salt ponds. There are certainly a lot of science behind these nature occurrences and their benefits which I have yet to explore. My reaction to this article was overwhelmingly positive. It is always great to find one solution to tackle multiple problems. In this case, nature-based solutions to sea-level rise is that solution. For example, conservation projects not only stop flooding, they provide recreation and combat climate change. Therefore, the San Mateo County should invest in more marshland protection, salt pond rehabilitation, seagrass restoration, and more. Research like this is amazing because it provides communities with actionable steps towards a better future, and shows what works and what does not. We should opt for the most beneficial projects to problems we have.

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Wisconsin legislature backs wetlands restoration

Wisconsin legislature backs wetlands restoration. Leader. (2021, August 12). https://www.leadertelegram.com/country-today/outdoors/wisconsin-legislature-backs-wetlands-restoration/article_38636d5b-8cf5-5f3c-9ac4-3d4126199476.html. 

The state of Wisconsin has recently passed new legislation that will aid in the restoration of wetlands. About 5 million acres of wetlands in Wisconsin have been lost, so the legislation is much needed and will hopefully allow major state-wide restoration. The legislation gives permits and financial help to restore the wetlands of Wisconsin. Two years ago, legislation passed giving funding to Ashland County. This funding allowed for demonstration of the restoration and helped in the process of passing the newer legislation. 

The article described new legislation that was passed in Wisconsin that will directly benefit the restoration of wetlands. This legislation will allow more restoration that is much needed in a state that has lost almost 50% of it’s natural wetlands. My reaction to the article was surprising, because I did not expect large government to focus on the needs of the environment. Overall I was definitely pleased with the new legislation.

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Metroparks meetup

Smith, D. (2021, August 6). Metroparks meetup: An inside look at Phase 2 of Howard Marsh Metropark. https://www.13abc.com. https://www.13abc.com/2021/08/06/metroparks-meetup-an-inside-look-phase-2-howard-marsh-metropark/. 

A few years ago, the Howard Marsh Metropark restoration project was one of the largest such projects ever opened in the United States. After a few years of work, the second phase of the long project will begin. For the last century, the land has been used for agricultural purposes, so the restoration of a wetland will not be an easy task. Over 200 acres of land will need to be transformed. However, at the end of the project, people can expect a beautiful land that can be enjoyed by people and wildlife alike.

The article talked about a large project that was currently underway. The land that had up until recently been used for agriculture had been sold and was being converted into a wetland. To me, this showed how we can restore natural areas even after they have been used and abused for the production of things like our food. I was impressed that this project was approved, because it seemed like such a big commitment.

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Renville County approves small wetland restoration in County Ditch 66

Cherveny, T. (2021, August 3). Renville County approves small wetland restoration in County Ditch 66. West Central Tribune. https://www.wctrib.com/news/government-and-politics/7132379-Renville-County-approves-small-wetland-restoration-in-County-Ditch-66. 

After two hearings, the wetland restoration, spanning one acre, was approved by the Renville County Board of Commissions. In order to approve the restoration, the benefits of the restoration project needed to be shown. The restoration of the wetlands will provide positive environmental impacts, by reducing sedimentation and pollutants reaching the Minnesota River. Additionally, it will be an area where wildlife can prosper. Positive private impacts also needed to be proved. Proponents of the project stated that the additional wetlands will improve the drainage of the local area, an issue that has cost millions of dollars in recent years.

The article focused on the struggle that proponents of the restoration project had to face. In order for the project to be approved not only did the environmental benefits need to be shown, but also the benefits of private citizens of the area. This showed to me how often the environmental impacts are not the only things that are considered when a project like this is either approved or denied. Oftentimes it comes down to things like the benefits for citizens living in or near the area and financial issues.

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ODOTH to restore Wetland with Klamath Tribes

Alexandra Feller Herald and News/Snowden Intern. (2021, August 3). ODOT to restore wetland with Klamath Tribes. Herald and News. https://www.heraldandnews.com/news/odot-to-restore-wetland-with-klamath-tribes/article_544a723c-df6c-5fc6-ac3b-3a778db68731.html. 

The Klamath Tribe’s wetlands have suffered and are completely dry. However, the Oregon Department of Transportation, or ODOT, has agreed to restore the former wetlands. This restoration project will not only give the tribe the water body that they once had, it will also help a couple of endangered fish species that have suffered as of late. Once the wetlands has reached equilibrium, endangered fish will be released into the wetlands, hopefully allowing the endangered species to flourish.

The article described a project that had been undertaken by the Oregon Department of Transportation. It described an issue that was affecting the Klamath Tribe and endangered species of fish and it explained what the ODOT was doing to help them. The project centered around the restoration of the now dried up wetlands that were a part of the Klamath Tribe’s land. My reaction to the article was gratitude for the organization that was helping the Tribe and a more positive outlook on the ways that people are affecting the environment. I was happy for the Tribe, because the wetlands have such a large impact on their lives.

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Wetlands Restoration Project taking shape along Lakeshore

Eric Peterson, F. O. X. 11 N. (2021, August 9). Wetlands restoration project taking shape along the lakeshore. WLUK. https://fox11online.com/news/local/wetlands-restoration-project-taking-shape-along-the-lakeshore. 

In Manitowoc county, a wetlands restoration project is underway. The land was originally owned by the Henry family, who, a few years ago, donated the land to the Woodland Dunes Nature Center. After observing the land for a couple years, the Department of Natural Resources Wisconsin Wetland Conservation Trust, who oversaw the project, restored the land to its original state. The land is still not available for public use, however in just a couple years it should be completely public.

The article explained how a project that was meant to restore wetlands in Wisconsin was going. The article explained the process of the restoration and the current state that the restoration was in. This article showed a way in which we can restore wetlands. My reaction to the article was impressed by the generosity of the family that donated the land. It showed me that there are still people out there that care for the environment and are willing to make the necessary changes to aid the environment.

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Central Valley Wetlands have almost all disappeared.

Patino, V. (2021, December 31). Central Valley Wetlands have almost all disappeared. Turnto23. Retrieved February 7, 2022, from https://www.turnto23.com/news/local-news/central-valley-wetlands-have-almost-all-disappeared 

This article goes over the effects of disappearing wetlands in Central Valley on migrating birds. Because of climate change and the growth of cities, the area of wetlands has diminished. Cleaner water will not only benefit humans but will also benefit wildlife, specifically aquatic birds. The Central Valley Joint Venture hopes to conserve wetlands and create new riverside forests. It also plans to pay farmers to create artificial wetlands for migratory birds. Additionally, the article addresses the issue of water availability and how the cost is high. 

 

Interestingly, this news source claims that wetlands have almost completely disappeared, but the other sources I researched didn’t address this and focused on the solution. Additionally, I realize this source is probably not the most trustworthy as it doesn’t provide many concrete details. It also doesn’t give an exact location for where the wetlands are. But apart from that, it is good that the state and private companies are trying to restore wetlands for wildlife and humans. Restoring wetlands is an essential part of environmental science.

 

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State ready to fill gaps if High Court Limits Water Law.

Egelko, B. (2022, February 1). State ready to fill gaps if High Court Limits Water Law. San Francisco Chronicle, 1/28/2022. Retrieved February 7, 2022, from https://digital.olivesoftware.com/olive/odn/sanfranciscochronicle/shared/ShowArticle.aspx?doc=HSFC%2F2022%2F01%2F28&entity=Ar00103&sk=67375259&mode=text#=undefined

The Clean Water Act protected certain types of water from pollution for 50 years. The Supreme Court wants to narrow the Act’s scope, which threatens certain wetlands. There are arguments of whether the Clean Water Act is specific only to bodies of water, and not wetlands. Politicians are concerned about California wetlands which are extremely important to the environment. Additionally, if wetlands in other states are not protected and destroyed, the damage will be caused to California wildlife and ecosystems. 

 

I think that the problem in this situation is that laws already put in place are vague and not specific enough, which lets different people interpret the guidelines in different ways. If better regulations can be put in place, there will be less confusion about which ecosystems fall under which laws. This article is related to environmental science because it concerns the Clean Water Act, which is a fundamental member of environmental laws.