Wetlands
“Those areas which are inundated or saturated by surface or ground water at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions.” US Army Corps of Engineers

Wetlands are resting, nesting, breeding, spawning, and nursery areas for many species of fish, shellfish and other wildlife. More than one half of all threatened and endangered species depend on wetlands at one point in their life cycle.

Wetlands provide flood control by acting as a giant sponge, absorbing and holding water during storms. Fast moving water is slowed by vegetation and temporarily stored in wetlands. The gradual release of water reduces erosion potential and possible property damage. Coastal wetlands absorb the erosive energy of waves, further reducing erosion. The vegetation provides a buffer to the shoreline from the wave action while the root systems provide support to help hold the soil together. Pollutants carried by stormwater can be trapped by wetland vegetation. The plants take up these excess nutrients and use them for growth.

 

Restoration
“The manipulation of the physical, chemical, or biological characteristics of a site with the goal of returning natural or historic functions to a former or degraded wetland.” US Army Corps of Engineers
When the wastewater treatment plant began operations, sludge from the drying beds was pumped onto the old shoreline area, which at the time contained a natural brackish marsh. Before long the marsh was buried under many feet of solid material. Upland plant species moved in and the aquatic habitat and natural water treatment functions were lost. Thanks to the NC Wetlands Restoration Program the area is being converted back into marsh. The sludge fill material was removed down to the former surface of the land and marsh grasses and other wetland vegetation were planted.

Phase I of the restoration, south of the drying beds, was completed in 2001. Phase II of the restoration, which is along the eastern shore of the Sturgeon City property will be complete by the end of 2003.

When the wetlands restoration at the Sturgeon City site is complete, the new wetlands will treat 53 million gallons of stormwater per year and 272 million gallons of Wilson Bay water per year.

The Future
The wetlands restoration at Sturgeon City is part of a comprehensive plan to restore water quality and habitat in and around Wilson Bay. Wetlands restoration projects, along with constructed stormwater wetlands, stream restoration, bivalve beds, submerged aquatic vegetation beds, floodplain enhancement, and stormwater detention pond projects will all be implemented in the Wilson Bay watershed. Already, an increased number of birds, crabs, fish, and other wildlife have been observed at Sturgeon City.

Speaking of Sturgeon…
The endangered Shortnose Sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) once were plentiful in the New River. Part of the plans for Sturgeon City include the use of the old wastewater treatment plant tanks as hatcheries for sturgeon so that they may be reintroduced into Wilson Bay.

Even though the facilities for the Sturgeon City Environmental Education Center are not built yet, educational opportunities for area youth already exist in the Sturgeon City Institute, the Wilson Bay Watchdogs, and the Sturgeon City Science Explorers.