September 2024 Update

Construction at Chequessett Neck Road, Wellfleet: The temporary bridge is complete and being used effectively with one lane of directed traffic. The removal of the existing dike and construction of the new bridge/water control structure is in process for completion in 2025. Timing of the initial tide gate opening per the approved three-year Tide Gate Management plan will be determined accordingly. There has been NO change made to the Herring River hydrology as a result of the HRRP. The next stage of water control plans is being submitted for regulatory review.

Low-lying Roads & Low-lying Properties: The final design work for the low-lying roads (LLR) is nearing completion and will inform the forthcoming bids packages for contractors to begin construction in 2025. A layout plan for a portion of the LLR has just been developed. This road work will require Town Meeting actions in fall 2024 and spring 2025.

Chequessett Club: The technical specifications, costs, and timeline for the bidding of the earth moving and golf course design work are being actively discussed and moving toward the next steps.

Marsh & Vegetation Management: This work is within the jurisdiction of the National Park Service, Cape Cod National Seashore. Strategy exploration and permit preparation for pilot berm removal and material redistribution are underway. There is no more vegetation clearing, including phragmites, planned for the near future as the timeline will connect with tidal flow changes. Mill Creek Water Control Structure work has begun and will continue for months.

Time-of-Year Restrictions to protect key species that live within or actively use the Herring River Estuary continue to inform the construction and work timelines of everything above.

Monitoring: Data collection for water quality (pH, salinity, dissolved oxygen, temperature) and water level as well as the movement of sediment within the Herring River Estuary continues regularly through a network of stations. There is biweekly monitoring of eastern box turtle locations and movement.

A note on Duck Harbor: there have been several assessments of the naturally occurring wash-over situations within Duck Harbor and the change of conditions that have been presented for the Herring River Restoration Project. What is happening with water entering through Duck Harbor and into the estuary is not due to any of the HRRP work, and the recent analytical assessments are consistent with the HRRP being carefully managed through scientific, data-driven decisions.