Project name: Don Pedro Land Base Wetland Restoration (#5004)
Project status: Complete
Grant Administrator: Gulf of Mexico Foundation (for NOAA)
Grantee: Don Pedro Island State Park
Project location: Charlotte County, Florida
Grant period: Jan 1, 2006 to Dec 31, 2006
Grant amount: $52,400
Land Ownership: Public/State Park
Lat/Long: Lat. 26 51 23.5 Lon. -82 18 1.0
Types of Habitat: Saltmarsh and mangroves
Project leaders: Reginald Norman, John Aspiolea and Annette Nielsen
                         Don Pedro State Park
                         P.O. Box 1150
                         Boca Grande, FL 33921
                         phone: (941)964-2965 or (941) 575-5861
                         fax: (941) 964-1156

• black drum (Pogonias cromis)
• red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus)
• summer flounder (Paralichthys dentatus)
• southern flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma)
• spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus maculatus)
• gray snapper (Lutjanus griseus)
• gag grouper (Mycteroperca microlepis)
• sheepshead (Archosargus probatocephalus)
• sand seatrout (Cyanoscion arenarius)
• spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus)
• blue crab (Callinectes sapidus)
• stone crab (Menippe mercenaria)

Acres of Habitat To be Restored: 10+ acres

Project Summary:
This project will focus on salvaging Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) material from permitted or exempt marine construction projects and relocating the material to areas where SAV has been previously documented to exist, thereby making good use of valuable plant material and marine sediments that would otherwise be destroyed. The long-term goal for this project is to produce a document/protocol that can be utilized as a Florida panhandle specific SAV restoration guide. The methodology of this project has far more potential as a pilot project that could be transferred to other areas of the Gulf of Mexico. The elements of coordination with contractors and property owners will enhance the public education/partnership aspects of the project and volunteerism.

Community Involvement:
Involvement of state universities with undergraduate and graduate level support for project monitoring and restoration activities has been initiated. Additional contacts with other colleges and universities, civic groups, general public and non-profits are expected. Future community support may lead to additional match or funding opportunities. Potential research work with EPA has been initiated and could benefit the SAV salvage project on many fronts. Property owners will be contacted to encourage their interest and involvement.