THE PROBLEM
Over the past few years, the digging for sandworms in the Ash Creek mudflat has accelerated. There are now over a thousand holes in the mudflat from the diggers, because the holes accumulate. The mudflat can’t restore itself (there is not enough water flow in the shallow areas). Why do these diggers ignore our signs and roped off areas? The answer is $$$. Most of the diggers fill buckets of sandworms to sell to bait shops.
When we’ve asked the diggers why they come here to Ash Creek, they tell us they get kicked out of other areas. They told us that although parking permits are required here, there has been no enforcement of them at St. Mary’s.
ACTIONS
ACCA obtained permission from the Parks Department to rope off the area and put up signs stating this was a protected area. As you can see from the photo below the diggers just walked around the roped off area, so this had no effect.
ACCA also met with owners of local bait shops and asked them not to buy sandworms from Ash Creek. Aaain, this was likely a low impact intervention, but it was something under our control.
MANY MEETINGS WITH THE CITY AND STATE
The City of Bridgeport Police have told us that they cannot enforce the law below the Coastal Jurisdiction line (basically the mean high tide mark, as that land belongs to the public and violations can only be enforced by CT DEEP. We had several meetings with CT DEEP, who told us they do not have the manpower to enforce the laws against mudflat destruction.
PROGRESS TO DATE
Finally, on June 27th, CT DEEP sent a letter to the City of Bridgeport Parks Department instructing them to repair the damage to the mudflat and prevent further damage.
We understand that the City will likely fence off the area on the mudflat side and if that does not work (as diggers can walk around the fence on the beach side), they will extend the fence to the beach side. The City will also likely put up No Trespassing signs while the area is being restored. Spartina will likely be planted, but we don’t know the plan yet as the City is reaching out for guidance from CT DEEP on the planting plan.
The City Police can only enforce trespassing on the upland area, but once the City puts the signs up, Officer Bruno has promised to enforce this. We will ask our members to notify us if they see any trespassers once the signs are up.
We have also asked the City of Bridgeport’s Parking Authority to enforce permit parking at St. Mary’s, particularly during periods of low tide as shown below. The Parking Authority was moved from the Police Department to the Parks Department on July 1st. Since the Parks Department is responsible for the restoration and protection of the area from the diggers, it would make sense that they would issue tickets to discourage the out-of-town diggers from parking. Most of the diggers are not Bridgeport residents, but some are. It won’t stop all diggers, but it will discourage the out-of-town diggers, and thus reduce the amount of damage to the mudflats.
ACCA wishes to thank the following people who have been working diligently to resolve this problem:
ACCA
Aspetuck Land Trust
City of Bridgeport
Town of Fairfield
CT DEEP