A critical Early Action Recommendation will be an examination of Open Marsh Water Management (OMWM) techniques. A site along the Carmans River was selected near the area where USFWS research is under way. The baseline investigations for this work have already begun. A number of OMWM research projects are possible including:

Determine the potential impact of OMWM techniques on insectivorous fish species. Some OMWM techniques have been heralded for their ability to increase the available habitat for fish species known to consume mosquito larvae (eg., mummichogs). A field test of the impact of the OMWM techniques on fish and mosquito larvae populations could be conducted. Field sites could be delineated and counts conducted under various tidal conditions.

Examine the relationship between marsh health and OMWM. By using the standard quadrat sampling technique in a variety of settings under different tidal regimes, the Team would determine if OMWM has had any short-term impacts on marsh health in areas where it has been implemented. Standard techniques to ensure data usability (such as paired control sites, adequate sample replication, and random selection of sample locations) will be implemented under the direction of Dr. Goodbred and his laboratory. This aspect of the project will also incorporate results being generated by the US Fish and Wildlife Service in its fieldwork.

Determine the relationship between Open Marsh Water Management (OMWM), ditching, and mosquito propagation. If this effort were pursued, the Team would utilize County measurements of mosquito populations in areas with no ditches, unmodified ditches, and ditches modified in various manners as well as areas which have been subjected to other OMWM techniques. Within each area, the Project Team would select transects, quadrats, and permanent fixed point photo stations for detailed field measurements, evaluations, and possible future long-term monitoring. Techniques and data requirements for salt marsh monitoring would be drawn in part from the “New York State Salt Marsh Restoration and Monitoring Guidelines,” published in December 2000 by NYSDEC.