Regional Restoration Project Registry

 

In the coming years, many urban environments will be transformed in a way that draws attention to the local environment. Regional restoration is a concept that can be utilized during this process to make sure investments are made wisely.

 
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Summary

The Partnership for the Delaware Estuary (PDE), a nonprofit National Estuary Program, seeks projects to seed the new Delaware Estuary Project Registry. This Project Registry is designed to be a one-stop-shop for restoration, enhancement, and conservation projects available to all potential funders and supporters. Please be advised that there is currently no funding available for projects from the PDE, but all projects will benefit from the high visibility of being listed in the Registry. Additionally starting in early 2010, a handful of high priority projects will be selected for aggressive promotion by the PDE Alliance for Comprehensive Ecosystem Solutions – a collaboration of agencies and organizations aimed at supporting high priority projects. Selected projects will be chosen based on their impact on key restoration priorities for the Delaware Estuary.

Background and Purpose

The Project Registry is part of an effort by PDE to identify high value restoration activities and match these with high impact projects and regional priorities. The science and consensus based process underpinning this effort is described in the 2009 document “Regional Restoration Initiative: A Blueprint for the Delaware Estuary”. The goal of the Project Registry is to provide a comprehensive collection of projects that anyone can populate or query through an online web platform, to increase the visibility of projects and assist funders in locating projects they wish to support. This will also help PDE to identify projects which best target our restoration priorities and actions in the “Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan for the Delaware Estuary”. The Project Registry will serve as a tool to aid PDE and our many partners in making wise investments in the health and function of the Delaware Estuary. The Project Registry is open to all who would benefit from its use.

Scope

Geographic Range. Any project located in the Delaware River Basin can be contributed to the Registry. However, only projects located within or having significant impact to the Delaware Estuary Study Area (the lower 52% of the Delaware River Basin, which includes tidal waters from the head of tide on the mainstem Delaware River to the mouth of the Bay – see map) will be eligible for PDE support/promotion beyond listing in the Registry.

Project Types. Restoration can include traditional habitat restoration, enhancement, creation or protection activities. Although education, outreach, policy and research can be part of proposed projects, the focus must be to directly improve the quantity and/or quality of the Estuary’s natural resources, including living resources, habitats and water.

 

Project Registry Requirements

 

  • Interested parties are encouraged to submit project summaries using the Project Registry Form
  • If more detailed project descriptions, proposals, or other supplemental materials exist for the project, these may be submitted as attachments. Project submitters will be able to request privacy on sensitive information to be withheld from public viewing if needed.
  • Contributors are asked to provide annual status updates for their projects to be retained in the Registry, noting any changes in scope or funding status.

 

PDE Alliance for Comprehensive Ecosystem Solutions Priorities


In order to be considered for elevation by PDE and/or the PDE Alliance, projects must restore, protect, or enhance one or more of the following:

  • tidal wetlands;
  • signature species of the Delaware Estuary (species are listed on attached questionnaire);
  • urban waterfronts;
  • forested headwaters / riparian corridors.

Projects selected and elevated by the PDE Alliance will include at least one from each state in the Delaware Estuary Study Area (Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware).

The PDE Alliance project selection process will take into account the following:

  • Ecosystem criteria, including ecosystem services, habitat connectivity, and accessibility for ecologically significant species.
  • Implementation criteria, including implementation capacity and partnerships, maintenance capacity/requirements, and project context.
  • Monitoring/Outcome criteria, including relationship of monitoring/outcomes to CCMP goals and objectives, transferability of results, and contribution to system understanding.
  • Public comments.

There is no deadline for entering projects into the general Project Registry; projects can be added throughout the year. However, to be considered by the PDE Alliance for 2010, projects must be submitted by December 31, 2009. The PDE Alliance project list will be announced at a press event in the spring of 2010 and promoted throughout the year with aggressive marketing to potential funders. All projects submitted after December 31, 2009 will be eligible for elevation by PDE in 2011 and subsequent years and available to other funders at any time. The submitter will be notified if project proposal has been identified for Alliance promotion.

Questions and submissions should be directed to:

e-mail- Restoration Specialist
302-655-4990, extension 107