LOCATION: Higbee Beach Wildlife Management Area (WMA), Lower Township, Cape May County

PROJECT UPDATES: Project construction commenced in mid-February 2024. Site preparation including the clearing and grubbing of vegetation as well as the installation of a ditch plug to temporarily disconnect tidal flow into Pond Creek, a turbidity barrier along the shoreline, and silt fencing occurred during the late winter and early spring months of 2024.

The construction of the eastern and northern berm foundations using stone, fabric, and geotextile materials were completed in June 2024. Current work includes the excavation and contouring of the mainstem of Pond Creek and the interior channels of the marsh which will continue through the fall and winter months. Approximately 2,700 linear feet of Pond Creek has been excavated to date with 861 linear feet remaining. Additionally, approximately 500 linear feet out of a total 14,220 linear feet of interior tributaries have been excavated. Over 50,000 cubic yards of material have been removed for reuse elsewhere throughout the project site. The first of two spraying activities for invasive species control was completed in October 2024 with the second spraying event to take place in early fall of 2025.

The construction of sand dunes and sand/shell habitat islands have begun and will continue through the remainder of construction. Upcoming work includes pile driving to support the foundations of recreational structures including the heron canopy, boardwalks, and viewing blinds/platforms. The first project planting season will occur from March through June 2025.

Project photos and videos showing the progress of construction activities may be seen on our gallery page.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: FAQ

INQUIRIES: Questions and comments throughout the duration of the project can be sent to: NJDEP-HBR-inquiries@portal3.pbid.com

PURPOSE: The purpose of this project is to restore tidal hydrology and function to Pond Creek, restore upland areas of the WMA which were degraded by the manufacturing operations from the former Harbison Walker Magnesite facility in order to create and enhance habitat for migratory birds, fish and various threatened and endangered (T&E) species, and to enhance public access.

SUMMARY: The project is funded with Natural Resource Damage funds and co-led by DEP’s Office of Natural Resource Restoration and Office of Coastal Engineering in partnership with NJ’s Division of Fish & Wildlife).

The Higbee Beach WMA Restoration Project will result in hundreds of acres of restored and enhanced wetland and upland maritime habitat. These acres fall within the known ranges of resident bird species and will be particularly important to annual spring/fall bird migrations as Cape May is an integral part of the Atlantic Flyway. The restored wetland project area will provide foraging and loafing habitat for raptors, such as osprey, peregrine falcons, merlins, kestrels, cooper hawks, and sharp shinned hawks during their migratory season as well as increased food, shelter, and general habitat for numerous species of fish, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals.

Throughout the design process, the project team collaborated with various stakeholder agencies and organizations to develop a habitat restoration project that provides ample viewing opportunities to this globally renowned birding destination. Historic site manipulation cut off Pond Creek Marsh from tidal influence, resulting in degraded habitat dominated by non-native Phragmites australis (Phragmites). To restore full tidal inundation to a majority of the marsh, the design of the inlet was established through an iterative process of defining, modeling, and refining the inlet channel. Branching off of the main channel, interior 1st, 2nd, and 3rd order channels were designed to convey full tidal inundation and drainage of the marsh within a daily tide cycle. Additionally, the design aims to enhance habitat diversity through the incorporation of high marsh islands, habitat clusters, mud flats, open water features, and sand-shell islands throughout the Pond Creek marsh.

For managing flood risk from periodic storm surge events and future sea level rise, the project includes a 6,861-foot earthen berm system fitted with water control structures designed to control tidal inundation of eastern portions of the Higbee WMA along an alignment within the marsh that balances stakeholder objectives for restoring as much salt marsh as possible, while protecting freshwater habitat and groundwater resources. The top of the eastern berm elevation was set to 7.5 feet which was deemed appropriate given the design goal of providing a reasonable level of tidal inundation protection to the upper watershed, considering the landscape context and regional flooding pathways.

To provide targeted habitat control for migratory birds, an 851-foot-long northern berm along a northern finger of the Pond Creek marsh was incorporated with an elevation of 6.5 feet. This section of marsh will be restored through excavation, removal of Phragmites, and planting of native salt marsh species. Water levels within the northern marsh will be managed by NJDEP during short periods of target bird migration using a water control structure with flap gates. The structure can be set to allow tidal inundation ponding or the draining of the area behind the berm to provide tidal marsh, open water, and/or mudflat habitats.

Existing uplands within the project area are predominately covered with non-native species and patches of barren land where compacted, high pH materials from the former Harbison Walker Magnesite facility are exposed. The proposed upland habitat consists of a mix of maritime forest and coastal successional/old field habitat. Dune restoration will be constructed by placing the excavated marsh material and capping it with 2 feet of clean sand. Additionally, portions of the former Harbison Walker Magnesite facility and the northern landfill within the project area will be re-graded and topped with a 6-inch layer of topsoil, which will be seeded and restored into coastal successional/old field habitat. In addition to the upland habitat restoration, the project has incorporated dune restoration and channel reinforcement at localized points and low spots around a key freshwater habitat known as Davey’s Lake located near the beach front of the project area.

Multiple wildlife viewing structures will be incorporated along an enhanced trail system to provide visitors with an array of visual opportunities. The wildlife viewing structures include a bunker blind, a heron canopy viewing platform, two boardwalk systems with platforms, and several 360º bird blind structures. Additional trail enhancements include a connective loop around the project area that utilizes the berm system to provide access through the marsh, a new pedestrian bridge spanning across the mainstem of Pond Creek, and pedestrian benches and interpretive signs for public education opportunities.

SCHEDULE: Project construction began mid-February 2024 and will continue through the end of 2026. A portion of the WMA will be closed through the completion of construction. View map of the closure area.

A public meeting announcing the start of construction took place on Thursday, February 8th, 2024, at Lower Township’s Municipal Hall. For a recording of the public meeting, please see the following link: https://youtu.be/Z96s3aLP5WQ.

A copy of the PowerPoint presentation can be found HERE.

 

Updates regarding construction progress will be posted on a quarterly basis.