Restoration of Cape Cod's Largest Salt Marshes to Revive River Herring Population in the Northeast

The Herring River Restoration Project, a significant endeavour in the northeast United States, is set to transform the Herring River and help river herring reach their vital spawning grounds. This ambitious project, which is the largest salt marsh restoration effort in the region, is a collaborative venture involving numerous organisations and local authorities.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Park Service, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration, the Cape Cod Conservation District, and the Friends of the Herring River are all key partners in this ambitious project. The Town of Truro and the Town of Wellfleet, Massachusetts, are also actively involved, with the latter receiving a substantial $14.7 million grant from NOAA's Office of Habitat Conservation in 2023.

River herring, a keystone species, once saw hundreds of thousands of their kind return to the Herring River each spring to spawn. However, for over a century, their migration has been constrained due to limited fish passage and poor water quality. The construction of the Chequessett Neck Dike in 1909, which severely limited fish passage, contributed to a 90% drop in the river herring population.

The Herring River Restoration Project aims to address these issues, allowing river herring, which include alewives and blueback herring, to return and spawn in greater numbers. The project is a multi-decade planning effort, with a planned completion date around 2030. The funding for this project was awarded through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

By restoring the Herring River, this project not only aims to revive a vital species but also to improve the overall health and biodiversity of the ecosystem. It serves as a testament to the power of collaboration and the shared commitment to preserving our natural resources.