Project name: Habitat Restoration in the Saw Grass Point Salt Marsh (#3002)
Project status: Complete
Grant Administrator: Gulf of Mexico Foundation (for NOAA)
Grantee: Auburn University
Project location: Dauphin Island, Alabama
Grant period: Jan 1, 2004 - Aug 31, 2004 (extended to Feb 28, 2005)
Grant amount: $30,840
Land Ownership: public (Town of Dauphin Island)
Lat/Long: N 30o 15.137’ W 88o 04.958’
Types of Habitat: Salt Marsh and Oyster Reef
Project leader: LaDon Swann
                        Auburn University and MS-AL Sea Grant Consortium
                        150 Agassiz St.
                        Daupin Island, AL 36528
                        (251) 861-3018 phone
                        (228) 818-8841 fax

• Atlantic croaker (Micropogon undulates)
• Speckled trout (Cynoscion nebulosus)
• Black drum (Pogonias cromis)
• White trout (Cynoscion arenarius)
• Red drum (Sciaenops ocellata)
• Sheephead (Archosargus probatocephalus)
• Southern kingfish (Menticirrhus americanus)
• Pinfish (Lagodon rhomboids)
• Naked goby (Gobiosoma bosci)
• Blue crab (Callinectes sapidus)
• Striped blenny (Chasmodes bosquianus)
• Stone Crab (Menippe adina)
• Oyster toadfish (Opsanus tau)
• Eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica)
• Skilletfish (Gobiesox strumosus)
• Cordgrass (Spartina sp.)
• Shrimp (various species)
• Black rush (Juncus roemerianus)
• Marsh elder (Iva frutescens)
• Groundsel tree (Baccharis halimifolia)
• Wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera)

• Remove four derelict vessels along southeastern edge of Saw Grass Point Salt Marsh
• Create and monitor constructed breakwaters (Wave Attenuation Devices or WADS) to serve as oyster reefs along the eastern edge of Saw Grass Point Salt Marsh
• Replant and monitor marsh grasses and native woody plants behind the newly established breakwaters
• Provide educational opportunities and foster community participation in the restoration project

Community Participation:
Community involvement will focus on two primary aspects of the project. First, the Dauphin Island Sea Lab graduate student association and the local Boy Scout Troop will assist in the initial phase of removing the four derelict vessels. In this phase, the Mobile County Commission will provide in-kind match by providing a dumpster and loader to dispose of the derelict vessels. Overall, coordination of the vessel removal will be provided by the project coordinator. It is estimated that approximately 300 hours of volunteer time will be necessary to remove all four vessels.
The second area of volunteer involvement will be to assist with the plantings of native wetland plants once the restoration site is prepared. The local Cub Scout Dens and Boy Scout Troop will assist with this phase of the project. A local Eagle Scout candidate is required to complete a community service project for his Eagle Scout Badge. The Scout and his family have expressed interest in this project. If acceptable approved by his Scout Master and Council, the Eagle Scout candidate will coordinate the plantings. The local elementary school science classes will also assist with the plantings. Dauphin Island residents will also volunteer with the plantings. The volunteer time required to complete the plantings is estimated to be 100 hours.