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Project Summary

Mobile Bay / Delta Wetlands Restoration (yr. 1)

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1. Project Identification

Name Mobile Bay / Delta Wetlands Restoration (yr. 1)
Region Gulf of Mexico
State AL
Location  
Date of this update  

2. Problem(s) addressed (check one or more)

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

3. Project Description (100 words or less. Please include qualitative information, e.g. acres of habitat restored, miles of steam reopened to migration, and legislative authorization, e.g. WRDA, ISTEA, CWA/NEP, CZMA, etc.)

This project consists of two parts: (1) the restoration and protection of oyster reef habitat and (2) the restoration of wetland habitat in Mobile Bay, Alabama. Mobile Bay has suffered a loss of approximately 50% of its oyster reefs in the last 100 years and its wetlands acreage have decreased by over 30% since 1950.

Initial Coastal America efforts were devoted to the restoration and maintenance of public oyster beds in and near south Mobile Bay. Over 2000 acres of public reefs were marked, using signs and buoys to delineate reef perimeters. The marking project was designed to help enforcement of existing state laws that prohibit trawling over these reefs. Additionally, this project was designed to prevent vessel groundings, either intentional or not, that are also prohibited by state law. The oyster reef restoration techniques were analyzed through the placement of archeological coral in Dauphin Island Bay as test cultch material for collecting oyster spat. Two, quarter-acre plots were established and initial results were very favorable, with high spat settlement taking place accompanied by strong growth rates following attachment. Monitoring is continuing to determine the long term value of archeological cultch material; however, the costs of this material is higher than most alternative cultch materials.

The wetland restoration projects were carried out at the Dauphin Island Sea Laboratory (DISL), and at the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Marine Resources Division=s (MRD) Claude Peteet Mariculture Center. The DISL project involved site preparation and planting of Spartina alternaflora marsh as part of a major educational exhibit about wetlands and coastal values. Approximately two acres of marsh, in addition to coastal barrier upland habitat, was created in association with a boardwalk (featuring handicapped access) and an educational exhibit at the DISL. This complex has become an integral part of the DISL educational program and is viewed by thousands of students and visitors each year. The MRD project involved the creation of approximately a quarter acre of estuarine marsh which is used to remove waterborne waste from a rearing pond drainage system before that water is released back into the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway.

For the oyster projects, work was cost shared ($20,000) and accomplished by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Marine Resources Division (MRD). The EPA provided the federal share of the funding ($40,000) through its Gulf of Mexico Program. The COE provided assistance in permitting and technical design. The FWS provided technical assistance and administered the grant. The MRD/DISL wetland projects involved the provision of design, construction, and maintenance services for the wetland area, plus cost sharing by the state of Alabama. Additionally, the Army Reserves provided cleanup and removal services for contaminated sediments in the project area as part of a training exercise, and aided in the construction of weirs providing water to the salt marsh.

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.

  1. Environmental Benefits: (e.g. acres restored, miles of stream opened to fish migration, etc.)
    4 acres salt marsh rented
    2 acres oyster reef rented
    2000 acres oyster reef protected
    1 educational boardwalk established with interpretive signs
  2. Was a cost-benefit study conducted for the project? (yes or no)
    No

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

6. Funding/Contributions (organization and amount)

7. Legislative authorities used by each participant

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

  1. Would the project have been undertaken by a single agency? (yes or no)
    Only one small part (about 1 acre of salt marsh) would have been built .
  2. IF YES: How was the project different as a Coastal America Partnership Project than it would have been as a single agency project? (e.g. size and scope, funding, time frame, etc.)
    The major change was the rapid implementation of the project over a 24 month timeframe instead of 5-6 year period of time.

9. Project Status

Initiation date 10/93
Completion date 9/95
Current stage All elements completed

10. Contacts

11. Any additional information/comments

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This page was last updated on Saturday, 24-Jun-2000 11:48:47 EDT
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comments to lawrencea@fas.usda.gov