Species Benefiting From Restoration:
   • Brown Shrimp (Penaeus aztecus)
   • White Shrimp (Penaeus vannamei)
   • Red Drum (Sciaenops ocellatus)
   • Blue Crab (Callinectes sapidus)
   • Speckled Trout (Cynoscion nubulosis)
   • Smooth Cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora)
   • Wiregrass (Spartina patens)

Acres of Habitat To be Restored: Approximately 15 acres of marsh habitat

Project Summary:
Terraces will be constructed along the northern shoreline of Vermilion Bay using a combination of dredged in situ materials and HESCO baskets. The HESCO baskets are intended to provide a stronger frame for the terraces that could reduce wave driven erosion and loss of sediment. The terraces will conceptually be constructed with a 25-foot width; whereas, the length will be determined given the level of funding received. The terraces will likely flank the shoreline in an angled pattern in order to trap as much sediment entering the bay as possible. The landowner intends to add to the terraces over time as additional funding becomes available. Once the sediments are consolidated, they will be vegetated with Spartina sp. during a series of volunteer planting events. Post construction, the landowner will conduct monitoring to potentially include planting survival, reduction in adjacent shoreline erosion, and sediment trapping capacity of the terraces.

Project Objectives:
The objective of this project is to increase sediment deposition, reduce the rate of shoreline erosion, reestablish emergent marsh and protect existing emergent marsh located along the northern shore of Vermilion Bay, Louisiana. Louisiana loses an estimated 25-35 square miles of wetland habitat every year. With the passing of last year’s hurricanes, over 100 square miles of wetland were lost within a three week period. This project will restore approximately 10 acres of intertidal marsh which will serve as both restored habitat for marine fisheries as well as help protect adjacent shorelines from erosion.

Community Involvement:
The terraces will be planted by local volunteers in the community, including: McIlhenny Corporation, LSU Ag Extension Service, Boy Scouts, and middle school students in the Parish. McIlhenny Corporation is the producer of Tabasco and is the landowner of Avery Island, a large tourist attraction in south Louisiana. Their visitor center is visited year round and will contain posters and information about the project and Community-based Program.