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Project Summary

Los Manchos Mangrove Restoration

Regional Map


1. Project Identification

Name Los Manchos Mangrove Restoration
Region Southeast
State/Territory Puerto Rico
Location  
Date of this update  

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

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. 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 $1.6 million project within the Los Manchos mangrove forest, composed of black mangrove (Avicennia nitida) with some fringing red mangrove (Rhyzophora mangle), involves the restoration of tidal flushing to approximately 1000-acres of mangrove along the eastern coastline of Puerto Rico, at the U.S. Naval Station, Roosevelt Roads.

Prior to the restoration efforts, the existing mangrove forest had shown signs of stress due primarily to the blockage of four pre-existing natural channels along the eastern boundary of the forest which has stopped tidal exchange. These historic channels were open to the sea prior to the construction of a two-mile-long road to the Small Arms Range on Roosevelt Roads in the late 1940=s. Later, an attempt was made to increase the flow of seawater by placing culverts beneath the road however, most were inadequately sized and poorly placed. The last open culverts became completely restricted following Hurricane Hugo in 1989. Hurricane Hugo also caused significant wind related damage to the mangrove forest, which in combination with the lack of salt water exchange is compounding the mangrove=s decline in quality and size.

Currently, there are several steps being taken to restore the Los Manchos mangrove forest. An environmental assessment of the area-including hydrologic studies, aerial photographic coverage, and field reconnaissance of the area-has been conducted by a private contractor, Geomarine. Construction phasing of the project, which will be led by the COE with assistance from the U.S. Forest Service includes: the demolition of existing causeways, construction of a new causeway with bridges to allow greater tidal flow, and exchange and the clearing of damaged and fallen mangroves that are restricting existing culverts. The Puerto Rico Trust will be involved in the planting of new mangrove plants in areas that were severely damaged. Technical assistance for a number of phases of this project are being provided by the Universities of West Virginia and Puerto Rico, the EPA and the FWS. All of these phases are expected to be completed by September of 1995.

Federal funding from Navy Agricultural Outlease Natural Resources Funding (Restoration Plan), and DOD Legacy Resource Management Program (Restoration Project).

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.

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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)

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9. Project Status

Initiation date  
Completion date  
Current stage  

10. Contacts

11. Any additional information/comments

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This page was last updated on Saturday, 24-Jun-2000 11:48:49 EDT
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