Project Summary

1. Project Identification

Name	Puerto del Mangler Red Mangrove Restoration
Region	Southeast
State/Territory	Puerto Rico
Location	Coastal areas around the Island of Culebra
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)

Coastal mangrove forest destroyed by hurricane Hugo in late 1989 were not regrowing after almost three years. This project was developed to facilitate a more rapid restoration of this important component of the coastal ecosystem.

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.)

The Puerto del Mangler restoration project has restored over 20 acres of fringe red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) forest on the island of Culebra, just east of the main island of Puerto Rico. This project was necessitated by Hurricane Hugo's serve damages to the forests in late 1989. Restoration of this site was initiated in order to help maintain the ecological web of the area.

In the transplant area, most of the dead trees were cleared, while some were left to serve as breakwaters for the new trees. Germinated seeds (propagules) were then collected from the unaffected red mangrove forest of the southwest coast of Puerto Rico to be planted at the newly cleared site. Through the cooperative efforts of Coastal America partners, University of Puerto Rico personnel, and citizens= groups, approximately 4,000 seedlings were planted at Culebra. At the completion of the project, approximately 15,000 feet of the shoreline had been replanted.

The restoration of the fringe mangrove forest will result in significant environmental benefits when the trees mature. Mangrove roots stabilize the shoreline, thus protecting inland areas during storms and hurricanes. Mangroves re-establishment also prevents resuspension of fine sediments, the enhancing water clarity for oysters, seagrass beds, and coral reefs, The mangrove trees provide foraging, nesting, and roosting habitats for many important species of wildlife. An additional benefit of the project was that it provided a learning experience in environmental restoration for the people of Culebra.

4. Goals/Benefits (quantify where possible using measures of success list)

Approximately 20 acres of coastal fringing mangroves were restored at a variety of sites along 15,000 feet of shoreline. This planting effort has helped to restore one of the most environmentally sensitive and important areas in Culebra. These mangroves will stabilize the shoreline and provide protection during storms; prevent resuspension of fine sediments thereby improving water quality and providing habitat for sessile organisms and improving conditions for adjacent seagrass beds and coral reefs; improve the foraging ,nesting and roosting habitat conditions for many common and endangered species of fish, seaturtles and shorebirds. Perhaps one of the greatest benefits of the project was that it served as an educational tool for the volunteers, students and employees that were involved in it's completion. A recognition of the importance of these coastal mangroves and their relationship to the overall health of the aquatic environment was made apparent to a large segment of a small community that often takes it's environment for granted.

Was a cost-benefit study conducted for this project? yes/no If yes, provide a summary of findings.

No

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

• Federal

  Lead -	Fish and Wildlife Service
  	Caribbean Field Office: Overall administration, Administration of secondary grant, coordination of propagule collection and transportation to Culebra, equipment and report preparation.
  	Culebra National Wildlife Refuge: Coordination of local hire personnel, boat transportation to sites, training of personnel and planting activities.
  Others -	Environmental Protection Agency: Funding, technical support and assistance with planting and clearing activities.
  	National Marine Fisheries Service: Coordination of University of Puerto Rico students and assistance with planting and clearing activities.

• Non-Federal

  Puerto Rico Department of Natural Resources: Coordination of Propagule collection and preservation.

  University of Puerto Rico: Provided Volunteers for planting and clearing activities.

  Culebra Human and Social Services Center (non-profit NGO): Coordination of local volunteer activities.

  Puerto Rico Conservation Foundation (non-profit NGO): Recipient of secondary grant. Hired personnel and provided education materials and coordination to facilitate the completion of the project.

6. Funding/Contributions (organization and amount)

• Cash

  Federal	$40,000
  Non Federal	$13,200
  Total	$53,200

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

  Federal:	NMFS, EPA personnel provided coordination and supervision of students from the University of Puerto Rico during trips to the site. Total time involved for preparation, planning, coordination and on site activities was approximately 17 staff days. Value approximately $3,500.00
  Non-Federal:	Culebra Human and Social Services Center Coordinated with US Fish and Wildlife Service staff and paid contract personnel to provide student assistance to project. Value approximately $1,000.00
  Total:	$4,500.00

• Volunteers (number of people and hours, and estimated dollar value)

  Approximately 100 hours

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?

   No. Although the project could have been conducted by a single agency the support and desire for it's accomplishment by several agencies and individuals made the probability for success much greater and definitively enhanced the value of the project.

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.)

9. Project Status

	scheduled	actual
Initiation date	October 1992	July 1993
Completion date	October 1993	May 1994
Current stage	Completed

10. Contacts

• Project Manager

  James Oland
  Field Office Supervisor
  Fish & Wildlife Service
  PO Box 491
  Boqueron, PR, 00622
  (787)851-7297
  (787)851-7440 (fax)
  r4fwe_mapr@mail.fws.gov

• Participating Agency/Organization Contacts: (e.g. volunteer groups, conservation groups, state agencies, and other federal agency contacts)

Teresa Tallavast, Refuge Manager
Culebra National Wildlife Refuge
P.O. Box 190
Culebra, PR 00775
(787)742-0115
(787)742-0115 (fax)

Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources
P.O. Box 5887
Puerta de Tierra, PR 00906

Ana Maria Vera
Puerto Rico Conservation Foundation
Calle O'Neill No. 11
Hato Rey, Puerto Rico 00918
(787) 763-9875
(787) 763-9895 (fax)

Mario del Vicario
USEPA, Region II
26 Federal Plaza, Room 1137
New York, NY 10278
(212) 264-5170

Dr. Vance Vicente
National Marine Fisheries Service
Malaga 8-40 Torrimar
Guaynabo, PR 00966
(787) 781-6503
(787) 783-0748 (fax)

Culebra Human and Social Services Center
P.O. Box 314
Culebra, PR 00775-0314
(787) 742-0259

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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