To Restore or Not to Restore? Assessing Pre-project Conditions of a Habitat Restoration Project on the New River, North Carolina

The number of river restoration projects aimed at enhancing water quality, improving in-stream habitat, and stabilizing eroding banks have exploded in the past decade. Case studies and synthesized reports have found varying results, with accounts of widespread failures of in-stream structures, and others reporting that when designed correctly restoration techniques can improve habitat conditions. In addition, initial conditions have been shown to limit the relative improvements that can be achieved. The presented study offers a pre-project evaluation of an impending restoration based on information obtained from in-depth stakeholder interviews, the project environmental assessment, project construction plans, and available ecological indicators, including benthic macroinvertebrate community, fish community, and ambient water quality. The primary objective of the project is to improve the aquatic habitat, however the primary outcomes will most likely be protecting athletic fields and greenway, increased flood protection, and improved access to the river. The evaluation highlights the ongoing problem of the lack of communication between scientists that collect data, and environmental managers that implement restoration plans. A lack of data collected within the restoration project reach and underutilization of existing data hinders the ability to properly evaluate the effect of restoration measures on habitat and water quality