The Herring River Restoration Committee, consisting of representation from the Towns of Truro and Wellfleet, the Cape Cod National Seashore, NOAA Restoration Center, US Fish and Wildlife Service, USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service and the Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration, is preparing the Environmental Impact Statement and Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) related to the restoration of the Herring River Estuary.

     The Committee currently is engaged in the detailed analysis of the impacts of the various alternatives to restore the 1000 plus acres to a viable salt marsh.  Work on the analysis has intensified over the past several months as hydrologic model and other studies are completed.  As data becomes available and technical studies are completed the alternatives continue to be refined.  By early summer the Committee expects to reach a tentative preferred alternative.  The project alternatives and recommended preferred alternative are expected to  be presented for public review and comment in the early fall of this year.

In addition to the brush burn mentioned above, Friends' has a full schedule of activities intended to inform the public and promote the restoration planned for the coming year.  Look for details on our website.

      Friends' is also planning to produce an engaging 20-30 minute documentary that raises public awareness of historic human alterations of tidal wetlands, and mobilizes public support for ecological restoration.  We have engaged Moonshadow Media to conduct additional preliminary research in preparation for production of the documentary. 

     The interpretive goals of the documentary are to:

·       Explain the human values of salt-marsh estuaries on a global scale.

·       Show the adverse effects of human alterations of salt marshes throughout the US coastal zone over the past 350 years.

·       Detail the story of the Herring River estuary where research and planning is well under way for the largest tidal restoration project yet undertaken in New England.

·       Bring the salt marsh estuary alive for viewers by showcasing its natural beauty and diversity.

     A comprehensive educational video of this scope does not exist. We feel this documentary will be helpful in our public outreach activities.  We are now seeking funding support for production of the documentary.

Menhaden are under attack.  Their decline puts pressure on our herring, and we lose their ability to clean our waterways. You can help by making your voice heard where it counts.  Here's a link to a menhaden petition addressed to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission for their March meeting. Simple as a click here, enter your information and click again. Pass it on to all of your friends or put it on Facebook.  For further reading, go to the Richmond Times Dispatch to see local reporting on Menhaden mismanagement in Virginia.  Thanks to John Duane, Wellfleet, who is our Menhaden watchdog.