Docks and Piers Workshop Outcomes

Docks and Piers Workshop Outcomes
Rick Ayella

Maryland Department of the Environment Wetlands and Waterways Program

The Docks and Piers Workgroup formed through the Research Assistance Branch of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has met twice to discuss issues relative to constructing piers over tidal wetlands and submerged aquatic vegetation. At the close of the last meeting, held in November 2003, the following items were suggested as "next steps".

In addition to this, the Maryland Department of the Environment is proposing to fund a study to investigate impacts of pier development on wetlands in Maryland. This study would focus on habitat impacts such as marsh segmentation and fragmentation. A request for proposals is presently being drafted. Commencement of this investigation is targeted for Spring 2004.

NEXT STEPS

MATRIX DEVELOPMENT
Managers asked the national Coastal Zone Management Office at NOAA to serve as the primary resource for information on dock and pier science and management. NOAA agreed to update and maintain a database as a central clearing house.

In response to this request, NOAA is developing a searchable, printable, web-based database. Managers attending the November workshop committed to providing the information for the database in a timely manner. NOAA is hoping to email workshop attendees a draft State template by the second week of January. After a two week comment period, NOAA will revise the template and develop a strategy for obtaining the information.

The database will contain the standards and rationale states are using to manage residential docks and piers. By linking the science and management of residential docks and piers, the database will help state and local managers improve and justify their regulations and permitting processes. It will allow planners concerned about a particular impact (i.e. shading, aesthetics) to see the standards other states have developed to mitigate that impact and the laws that uphold them. Information in the database will also be used to develop new SOPs and support denials when the impacts of a proposed project are unreasonable.

Consultants, contractors, and the general public can use the database to learn about standard operating procedures and siting, design, and construction standards. This should streamline the permitting process by pre-empting proposals that would be denied (by encouraging the applicant to revise the proposal), and facilitate dock and pier construction where appropriate.

OUTREACH
It has been suggested that NOAA lead the creation of a set of PowerPoint presentations that can be tailored for use at regional and local workshops, meetings, and talks for decision-makers, contractors, or the general public. These talks would serve as a template for use by agency staff conducting contractor training workshops.

Requested Talk Titles/Subjects:

Environmental and Aesthetic Impacts of Residential Docks and Piers

Visual Impact Assessment: Theory and Practice

Best Management Practices for Minimizing the Impacts of Your Residential Dock and Pier Project - what works, what doesn't work in what types of coasts. A check list of what makes a good dock owner (i.e. good dock program).

Understanding Your Permit Application - explains why the information is asked for and how the decision is made (turn ME's fact sheet into an talk with photos)

Management Needs for Scientists - This is what managers want - are you doing this?

RESEARCH NEEDS
Ecosystem and Cumulative Impacts

Need to look at ecosystem-level impacts of docks-i.e. fish, oysters and other critters, not just SAV.

Arguing on shading alone is very difficult. But it should be considered, but MUST be tied to the bigger habitat.

Habitat fragmentation.

Want valuation of habitat. How big a chunk of eel grass do target species need to have a functioning habitat so that the boat and dock do not contribute to the loss of that species?

A science synthesis to develop standards needs to be developed. Managers need to know the minimum amount of marsh needed for nesting birds or other wildlife

Need to address construction impacts of seasonal piers - is it worse to move it twice a year or to construct a permanent dock?

Fund a study that looks at differential susceptible impacts to vegetation.

A synthesis of information on cumulative impacts.

Need a study to determine the zone of impacts - intertidal, coastal.

Contaminants

Need more information on impacts of wood preservatives on the aquatic environment-especially new preservative (ACQ?) that may replace CCA. New research should take an ecosystem perspective.

Coastal managers need compiled information on human and aquatic impacts from wood preservatives (CT did informal in-house lit. survey this summer).

Posted December 29, 2003