For over 20 years, there has been an effort to examine the costs and benefits of restoring tidal flow to the West Branch of the Pleasant River.
The West Branch and the marshes that line it have existed for thousands of years, providing a highly productive, diverse ecosystem for plants, animals, and people to use and enjoy. In the last 3 centuries, extensive modifications have changed the form and function of the river and marshes in order to meet industrial and agricultural needs. Today, local residents may wonder why restoration is needed to turn back time on an environment that has been altered for hundreds of years. The West Branch Project goal of habitat restoration is to restore functionality, not pristine condition, which in turn will help prepare coastal communities to better withstand rising seas, stronger storms, and more extensive flooding all while improving habitat for fish and wildlife that define the communities of Addison and Columbia. Ultimately, State Agencies are working toward managing resources (e.g. transportation, fish, and wildlife) to serve community and statewide needs within their respective authority and responsibility. The progress toward habitat restoration will be dictated by combining community engagement and technical investigations to inform decision making processes.
