YEAR 2010 - CRP Project #5002C (Caribbean)
Project #5002C
Southgate Coastal Habitat Restoration Project
Christiansted, US Virgin Islands

Derelict vessel to be removed from Southgate Coastal Preserve
Project name: |
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Southgate Coastal Habitat Restoration Project |
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Project number: |
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5002C |
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Project status: |
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In Progress |
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Grant Administrator: |
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Gulf of Mexico Foundation (for NOAA) |
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Grantee: |
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St. Croix Environmental Association (SEA) |
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Project location: |
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St. Croix, Christiansted, USVI |
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Grant period: |
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Jan 1, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 |
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Grant amount: |
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$37,697 |
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Land Ownership: |
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Privately Owned - SEA |
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Lat/Long: |
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17˚4531.1 N, 64˚3951.8 W
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Types of Habitat: |
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Beach face, coastal
wetland/mudflat, coral reef, and sea grass habitats
directly or indirectly benefited |
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Project leader: |
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Paul Chakroff, Executive Director
St. Croix Environmental Association
5032 Anchor Way
Christiansted, VI 00820
www.stxenvironmental.org |
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Species Benefiting From Restoration:
Queen conch (Strombus gigas)
Caribbean spiny lobster (Panulirus argus)
Snappers (family Lutjanidae)
Grunts (Haemulon spp.)
Parrotfish (Sparisoma spp.)
Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea)
Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas)
Hawksbill Sea Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)
Staghorn Coral (Acropora cervicornis)
Elkhorn Coral (Acropora palmata)
Red Mangrove (Rhizophora mangle)
White Mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa)
Black Mangrove (Avicennia germinans)
White-cheeked Pintail (Anas bahamensis)
Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis)
American Coot (Fulica americana)
Caribbean Coot (Fulica caribaea)
Wilsons Plover (Charadrius wilsonia)
Least Tern (Sterna antillarum)
White-crowned Pigeon (Columba leucocephala)
Acres of Habitat To be Restored:
Approximately 30 acres of wetland and beach habitat, and 2,000 linear ft. of beach frontage and wetland edge to be restored/ protected.
Need for Project:
The project site, Southgate Coastal Reserve (SCR), is a
nature reserve managed for wildlife and habitat conservation,
environmental education and recreation by SEA. Habitat and
species conservation are key objectives of the SCR
conservation management plan. Those conservation objectives
are compromised by erosion of the Southgate Pond levee,
off-road vehicle trespass and a derelict sailboat that washed
ashore after Hurricane Omar. This project is needed to
mitigate direct and immediate threats to three federally
listed species, other NOAA Trust Resources and critical
coastal habitat within the Southgate Pond/Chenay Bay APC and
at other priority coastal sites to be identified by the VI
Department of Planning and Natural Resources, Division of
Coastal Zone Management (CZM).
Project Objectives:
- To restore natural sand movement along a section of beach
impacted by a derelict sailboat stranded on beach face
habitat
- To eliminate impacts to wetland and beach habitats
through installation of barriers to prevent vehicular
encroachment into beach and wetland habitats at SCR and at
other priority public beaches to be identified by CZM
- To take preventative action to forestall catastrophic
loss of Southgate Salt Pond integrity through armoring and
constructing a concrete swale in the levee that separates the
salt pond from the adjoining Green Cay Marina
- To raise public awareness about economic, public safety
and environmental threats related to vehicular beach and
mudflat access and improper mooring of boat.
Community Involvement:
SEA volunteers will participate in removal of the sailboat
from the SCR beach; location and placement of vehicle
barriers behind the beach face at SCR and other sites; and
clearing and flagging of fence lines long the SCR access
drive. SEA will educate the community through newspaper
articles and PSAs related to proper mooring of vessels and
driving vehicles on beaches.
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PROJECT PHOTOS
Click on photo to enlarge

Southgate Coastal Preserve

Rock barriers to be placed within Southgate Coastal Reserve

Levee causeway

Wildlife of Southgate Coastal Preserve
Areas of particular concern in Southgate Coastal Preserve

Beach and wetland vehicle barrier plan for Southgate
Photos: St. Croix Environmental
Assoc.
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PROJECT PARTNERS
NOAA Restoration Center
Gulf of Mexico Foundation

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