Project Summary

1. Project ID
Name	Cat Island Restoration Project
Region	Gulf of Mexico Region
State	AL
Location
Date of this update	8/3/00

Habitat Restoration/Protection
Wetlands
River systems
Beaches/Dunes
Offshore areas
Mangroves
Assisting Species at Risk
Pollution Mitigation
Non-Point Source Pollution
Other (describe)

3. Project description (100 words or less)

Cat Island, a critical nesting site for herons and egrets was devastated during Hurricane Georges in September 1998. This project proposes to restore the vegetation used by the colonial nesters.

Cat Island lies in Mississippi Sound two miles off the mouth of West Fowl River. This 5.2 hectare (13 acre) island has been the site of large colonial wading bird nesting for the past 50 years. Studies have been conducted on nesting success for this island since 1985. Currently there are eight species of herons and egrets with populations of 1500 to 2000 nesting on the limited vegetation. This is the only known site in Alabama in which the Tri-color heron nests. In 1995, the first Reddish Egret pair nested and last year's records indicated that 12 pair nested. These herons are on Alabama's threatened list. In addition there terns, black skimmers, oyster catchers and willets also nesting there. Because of the importance of this coastal nesting habitat. Cat Island has been selected as a Gulf Ecological Management Site (GEMS) by the Gulf of Mexico Program.

Of the four islands within the vicinity, Cat Island is the only oyster shell hash island that is above sea level. The center of the island has an island pond and associated salt marsh that is infrequently flooded. The birds nest in groundsel tree, Raccharis halimifolia and marsh elder, Iva frutescens. These woody shrubs offer the birds nesting sites above the ground, protection from predation, and nesting material itself. The island is also surrounded by commercially leased oyster reefs. The water quality in the area is crucial to the safe harvesting of oysters.

In September 1998, Hurricane George hit the Alabama coastline. Cat Island's vegetation was wiped out clean and the island flattened. Currently, limited vegetation has started to grow back with lots of vines but very little of the woody plants. Large overwash areas are evident and my not recover. The herons and egrets arrived on the island during the week of March 20th which is consistent with past records. But this year they arrived to no nesting vegetation. The birds have nested on the ground which is unheard of for large wading birds. Many have eggs and young chicks and the hatching success appears to be high only due to the fact that we have had very little rain (.08 inches in April and less that 2 inches in May). In addition, the observed number of herons and egrets that have nested this year is down by 50%. These birds may have found other sites, to nest, but that can only be determined through aerial surveys. In attempt to assist in nesting sites, we created six platforms and placed debrix on them. They are currently being used by the birds with nests on all structures.

Another concern is the water quality surrounding Cat Island. Previous studies have shown a direct link between growth of Iva and Baccharis and the uptake of nutrients by these plants. With the loss of the infrastructure of the plants, there exists a potential for harmful concentrations of nutrients to leech to the nearby oyster reefs.

The NFWF should fund this project because it meets the guidelines of habitat protection and restoration. In addition this project will restore the nesting habitat of migratory wading birds, of which two species are threatened and only nest in Alabama at this Cat Island site. Industrial and urban developments in the Alabama coastal area have left suitable breeding habitats for migratory wading birds at a premium.

The Dauphin Island Sea Lab is an exemplary research and education facility. This facility was established in 1971 and research on Cat Island has been conducted since 1979. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has begun the process of cultivation the two key plants found on Cat Island. In cooperation with the Nature Conservancy, Mr. David Ruple will be coordinating volunteers to assist in the planting of the vegetation. The Gulf of Mexico Program identified Cat Island as a GEMS recipient. The Gulf Ecological Management Sites provide a regional framework for recognition of ecologically important Gulf Habitats. This project was chosen by the GEMS selection committee to receive funding and a contract is forth coming.

Re-planting of the last vegetation will allow the colonial nesting birds that have utilized this site for over 50 years to reestablish and return to the size the colony was before the hurricane.

The objective is to restore critical habitat that was lost due to Hurricane Georges in Sept. of 1998.

Under the direction of J. Kirschenfeld, Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection, 10.000-16.000 Baccharis plants (or whatever we can afford) will be cultivated starting in July of 1999. To ensure genetic compatibility cuttings from the plants on Cat Island will be used for the cultivation. Dr. Judy Stout will supervise the planting and monitoring of these plants through the growing period. The planting will be done by volunteers from The Nature Conservancy coordinating with Dave Ruple.

Weekly monitoring, with species specific nest counts, hatching success, fledgling success and mortality will be recorded during the entire nesting period (March- September 2000). In addition growth rates of the two key species of vegetation will be measured throughout the spring and summer with a full detailed map of the island to be made, including dimensions of the pond, marsh, and height above sea level. Monthly water samples from around the island will be collected for nutrient analysis by the Dauphin Island Sea Lab.

Once the vegetation has taken root, the success of the project will be measured in the number of large wading birds nesting. Success is driven by habitat and this project restores lost habitat. Overtime we expect to see nesting populations comparable to pre-hurricane.

Cat Island is listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Gulf of Mexico Program, and the Nature Conservancy as one of the most critical habitats in coastal Alabama. All agencies will be involved with the project and full documentation of the research will be conducted. The general public will be made aware of the project through news releases and public forums.

4. Goals/Benefits (quantify where possible using measures of success list) Was a cost-benefit study conducted for this project? yes/no If yes, provide a summary of findings.

5. Partners (include each participant's responsibilities - funding, permitting, etc.)

6. Funding/Contributions (organization and amount)

	  Cash	Federal	
			Non Federal 	State government 
					Local government
					Private industry
					Public interest groups
			Total	


	  In-Kind Services (hours, equipment, or other forms of assistance and estimated dollar value)
	
	  Volunteers (number of people and hours, and estimated dollar value)

7. Legislative authorities used by each participant

8. Value added by Coastal America Partnership including Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) goals achieved through this collaboration (500 words or less)

9. Project Status

• Initiation date:
• Completion date:
• Current stage (Initiated - I, Underway - U or Completed - C)

10.Contacts

11. Any additional information/comments