Selectmen seek funds to reactivate Ballard Street Salt Marsh Restoration project

By Mark E. Vogler

As a possible short-term solution to alleviating the flooding problem in East Saugus, selectmen are reaching out to state and federal delegates for support of the dormant Ballard Street Salt Marsh restoration project. At their meeting Tuesday night (March 5), selectmen voted to send a letter to state and federal delegates requesting that the project “be revisited and funded as soon as possible.”

“The project involves the restoration of 50 acres of degraded salt marsh in the Rumney Marsh. The site is located between Ballard Street and Bristow Street, running along Eastern Avenue,” selectmen stated in the letter drafted by Selectman Michael Serino.

“Recently, the residents of East Saugus have experienced the worst coastal flooding to-date. Consequently, it is quite evident that future flooding events will become more frequent and more destructive,” the letter continued. “Please keep in mind that the restoration of the 50-plus acre salt marsh would also provide flood storage capacity during intensive storms and high tides.”

Last month, selectmen wrote a letter addressed to six federal and state elected leaders who represent Saugus to fund a feasibility study for a floodgates project that was authorized by President Biden in late 2022 – but never funded. That would involve a plan to install floodgates in a long-term project that would affect Saugus in addition to the communities of Everett, Lynn, Malden and Revere.

“As you are aware, the Board of Selectmen are in support of the flood gate project, which we believe would be a long-term solution for the surrounding five communities,” selectmen said in their latest letter to federal and state delegates. Gov. Maura Healey was also on the list of letter recipients.

“However, we truly believe that the Ballard Street Salt Marsh Restoration project, which has been designed and approved by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, could provide an expedient solution to the restoration of the salt marsh and provide flood protection for the residents of East Saugus,” the letter continued. “In conclusion, your support and help in moving forward the Ballard Street Salt Marsh Restoration project would be greatly appreciated. We look forward to working with you on this very important project for the Town of Saugus.”

The letter also detailed history about the Rumney Marsh and in particular the 50-acre Ballard Street salt marsh:

• On August 22, 1988, Secretary of Environmental Affairs, James S. Hoyte designated the 2,274 acre Rumney Marsh as an Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC).
• In May 2002, Secretary of Environmental Affairs, Bob Durand, developed a Rumney Marsh Restoration Plan. This plan did include the restoration of the degraded 50-plus acre salt marsh between Ballard Street and Bristow Street.
• On May 4, 2005, GeoSyntec Consultants developed a plan on behalf of the Town of Saugus, with support from the Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management (CZM) and the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The project plan involved the 50+ acres between Ballard and Bristow Streets, running along Eastern Ave. The two goals would be to restore the salt marsh and provide a compensatory flood storage area. The project would improve storm damage prevention for the low-lying area in East Saugus.

But, due to a significant lack of funding for the project construction, the project stagnated. (Note: see the Woods Hole Group 2014 report.)

• In 2012, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) developed a plan to restore Winthrop Beach. DCR filed a notice of Intent, and a public hearing was held by the Winthrop Conservation Commission on June 13, 2012. The plan involved removing sand from the abandoned I-95 sand pile in Rumney Marsh located in the Town of Saugus. Furthermore, part of the plan was to restore the degraded 50+ acre salt marsh between Ballard and Bristow Streets in Saugus.

Consequently, the Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration contracted the Woods Hole Group (WHG) to further advance the 50+ acre Ballard Street Restoration project. The WHG conducted a hydrodynamic assessment and study of the degraded salt marsh estuarine system.

• In October of 2014, the Woods Hole Group produced its final plan, which included restoring the degraded salt marsh and improving flood protection for the surrounding neighborhoods in East Saugus.

The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation contracted Parsons Brinckerhoff, Inc. to prepare an Environmental Notification Form for the 50+ acre Ballard Street Salt Marsh Restoration. The plan, which was completed in March of 2015, recommended cleaning the eastern portion of the marsh running parallel to Rt. 107 and excavating the western section of the marsh running parallel to Eastern Avenue, by 1.5 feet, which would provide some flood protection for the residents in East Saugus.

• On April 15, 2015, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation held a public meeting at the Saugus Italian American Club. Construction was to begin in the fall of 2015.

“Unfortunately, it is our understanding that the Federal EPA did not agree with the State plan to restore the salt marsh, consequently, increasing the funding costs associated with the project along with the ultimate abandonment of the project,” selectmen wrote in their letter.