Restoring the Delaware Bay

By CONNIE MERTZ

We’ve all heard about the importance of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries; now, the Delaware Bay is coming into focus. In January, Ducks Unlimited signed an agreement with the states of New Jersey and Delaware to restore wetlands in the Delaware Bay estuary. In all, 15,000 acres of wetlands and uplands are planned for restoration.

The Delaware Bay is a resting ground for more than half of the continent’s shorebirds on their migratory routes. And this area provides winter habitat for birds using the Atlantic flyway. Like all wetlands across the United States, they are vital for the survival of wildlife. In the Delaware Bay, many endangered and threatened species depend on these critical areas as well. In fact, this is one of the reasons why wetland conservation plans are in progress in the bay. “Many species of birds are at risk because vast areas of forest and wetland habitats have been converted to accommodate agricultural, industrial and commercial development,” commented Robert Hoffman, director of conservation programs for Ducks Unlimited Great Lakes/Atlantic regional office.

Planned are new water control structures, the construction of dikes and berms and restoring natural tide exchange and water levels. The goal is to control the spread of common reed, which forces out other essential aquatic plants. State agencies, plus the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other non-governmental organizations, will accomplish the work.

Wetlands, wherever they may be, are priceless. They are the most productive ecosystems, but unfortunately, the U.S. has lost more than half of its original wetlands, and the downward trend continues with 100,000 wetland acres lost annually.