Southampton Riverside Wetland Restoration and Community Access

PEP is allocating $100,00 of BIL funds to wetland restoration in the identified area of the Riverside Redevelopment Plan

Background:

The Riverside Community in the Town of Southampton, bordering the Peconic River. In 2015 The Town of Southampton identified this wetland in their Redevelopment Plan for the Riverside Community.

Southampton Riverside Wetland Restoration and Community Access

This project will focus on wetland restoration in the identified areas, as well as increased water access and enhanced climate resiliency. The concept plan is a community-driven wetland restoration. It prioritizes water access and education for the local community. Additionally, the site is located in a NYS Identified Environmental Justice Area.

Goals:

Protect and restore critical habitats, including wetlands
Protect and restore water quality
Improve ecological integrity and economic well-being
Address challenging issues in an EPA-designated National Estuary Program(NEP)
Promote the adoption of green infrastructure
Develop strategies for disadvantaged communities to
- Have increased water access
- Enjoy and benefit from surface waters
- Participate in ecosystem restoration
- Engage in educational and capacity-building activities

Status

PEP has completed a conceptual design
Southampton will receive funds to carry out the plan for the eastern wetlands in the riverside area
This plan is moving forward in partnership with Flanders-Riverside Northampton Community Association (FRNCA)

Project team recognized pursuing tidal wetland restoration in the face of rising sea levels would be cost-prohibitive as the area is currently an elevated shoreline made up of legacy dredge spoils.
Adaptive management: All wetland restoration bids were rejected and planning for the scope change began summer 2024
NYSDEC invested $50,000 via a NYS Environmental Justice Grant to The Flanders, Riverside, and Northampton Community Association to identify the needs of this community.
Updated scope: focus on implementing park improvements for direct access to the Peconic River.

Funding:

PEP secured funding for BIL year 1: $100,000

CCMP Related Actions:

Action 9: Incorporate environmental justice considerations into public outreach

Action 14: Increased public awareness of anticipated impacts of climate change in the Peconic Estuary and practical ways to mitigate and prepare for them.

Action 31: Use available habitat and quality assessment tools to prioritize wetland restoration projects for implementation.