Salt Marsh Restoration Work Begins At Quonochontaug Pond

The R.I. Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) has been awarded nearly $1 million in funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for salt marsh restoration and enhancement at Quonochontaug Pond in Charlestown and Westerly.

CRMC has contracted with the marine construction firm JF Brennan, Inc. for project implementation. This is the same company that they worked with on the Ninigret Pond dredging and restoration project.

They are currently mobilizing at the site, with the bulk of equipment expected to arrive Thursday and Friday, December 6 and 7, when they will be using a crane to lift the two dredges into the channel. They’ll begin dredging operations on the west side of the breachway and will then move to the main dredge area and east side.

Because of increased costs, a reduced-scope version of the project was proposed that had them dredging a smaller volume on the western side than originally designed. However, the extremely successful fundraising efforts of the Shelter Harbor Conservation Society and Salt Ponds Coalition, as well as an additional allocation from the Town of Charlestown’s Beach and Pond Preservation Fund will return the project to its original scope for the full volume.

Dredging operations will occur 24 hours/day, 6 days/week. The crew has been instructed to maintain public access to the pond. The most significant interruptions to public access will likely occur when the cranes are on site deploying and removing the dredging equipment. It is anticipated that dredging operations will be completed by the end of January. The end of the permitted dredge window is February 15th.

CRMC will continue to provide updates as work progresses.

Questions about the Quonnie dredging project should be directed to:
Caitlin Chaffee
Policy Analyst
RI Coastal Resources Management Council
www.crmc.ri.gov
401-783-3370

Watch a video of launch of dredge at Quonochontaug Pond.