YEAR 2009 - CRP Project #8004 (Gulf of Mexico)
Project #8004
Big Branch Planting Project Habitat Restoration
St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana
Project name: |
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Big Branch Planting Project Habitat Restoration |
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Project number: |
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8004 |
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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. Tammany Parish Government |
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Project location: |
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Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge |
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Grant period: |
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Jan 1 - Dec 31, 2020 |
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Grant amount: |
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$38,625 |
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Land Ownership: |
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Public Land Ownership |
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Lat/Long: |
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-89.90911W, 30.254354N |
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Types of Habitat: |
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Intermediate marshland |
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Project leader: |
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Dr. deEtte Smythe, Director
of Engineering
Brian Fortson, Environmental Specialist
St. Tammany Parish Government
21490 Koop Drive
Mandeville, LA 70471
www.stpgov.org |
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Aerial image showing components of the
larger project |
Species Benefiting From Restoration:
• Smooth Cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora)
• Other species as applicable
Acres of Habitat To be Restored:
10 acres
Project Summary:
This project is part of a larger on-the-ground effort.
Several state and federal agencies, along with St. Tammany
Parish, are currently in the process of restoring vital
marshland to the coastline in the Big Branch National
Wildlife Refuge in Lacombe. The $21 million project will pump
dredged sediments from Lake Pontchartrain into interior ponds
behind the shoreline of Big Branch Marsh. The newly created
marsh will prevent the formation of breaches into the
interior marsh, and maintain the lake-rim function along the
north shore of Lake Pontchartrain. A 10 acre parcel located
on the northeast corner of Big Branch has recently received
dredged sediments to create a new mudflat. St. Tammany Parish
will plant this site with Smooth cordgrass, Spartina
alterniflora. Smooth cordgrass is an effective soil
stabilizer commonly used on interior mudflats and dredge-fill
sites associated with marsh restoration projects. Trade
gallons and bare root plugs will be planted in conjunction on
5 foot centers throughout the 10 acre site. Planting methods
will follow the recommendations from the USDA/NRCS Plant
Guide for interior plantings.
Community Involvement:
The community will be invited to participate in the marsh
grass plantings. Invitations will be extended through public
announcements in the local newspaper. The local news source
will also be utilized to educate the general public about the
restoration project and the importance of wetland restoration.
This project will provide volunteers with hands on experience
in wetland restoration.
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