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CCA Texas Takes Active Role in Stabilizing and Restoring Eroding Marshes and Shorelines
Oyster Lake Shoreline protection – breakwaters being placed inside Oyster Lake; photo by CCA Texas staff.
Over time, Texas' coastal marsh and estuarine shorelines are subjected to erosion from wave and wake action, created by wind and tidal current and also by boat and barge traffic along the ICW and other highly-traveled channels.
CCA Texas's Habitat Today for Fish Tomorrow (HTFT) program has partnered with Texas Ducks Unlimited (TXDU) and the Galveston Bay Foundation (GBF) on three projects designed to prevent further erosion and restore lost marsh habitat.
Sargent Area Breakwater – The first breakwater project to be completed with TXDU is located just north of Sargent along the inland shores of the ICW. CCA Texas contributed $200,000 to this project which will protect up to three miles of marsh shoreline. The original design for the ICW provided channel width of 125 feet, but over time it has eroded to a width of over 700 feet, threatening adjacent brackish marshes, and thus reducing the overall productivity of the area's ecosystem through the loss of emergent and submergent vegetation. This inland marsh is a critical component of the marine ecosystem and it is important to protect it for the future. This project will be completed in phases, targeting the most threatened areas first. Phase-I and Phase-II construction was completed in June of 2013. CCA dollars were used as matching funds and helped create an additional 1,300 linear feet of breakwater, thus bringing the total linear footage of Phase I and II to 4,750 feet.
JD Murphree Wildlife Management Area Breakwater – The JD Murphree Wildlife Management Area Breakwater project construction began the last week of January 2014. This project was originally funded by CCA Texas in 2010, part of an ongoing effort to protect the fresh and saltwater marshes along the ICW in the Upper Coast region of Jefferson County. CCA Texas contributed $50,000 to this project which was leverage by TXDU as matching funds to generate over $325,000 through North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) grants. This support will allow 2,500 linear feet of breakwater to be constructed and should be complete in February 2014.
Oyster Lake Marsh Restoration and Protection – Galveston Bay Foundation submitted a $200,000 request to HTFT for the Oyster Lake Shoreline Protection and Marsh Restoration Project. This project will eventually protect up to 5,200 linear feet of shoreline from future erosion and habitat conversion. It is estimated that since 1944, up to 650 feet of shoreline has been lost on the West Bay side and up to 150 feet of shoreline has been lost from the Oyster Lake side. Since 1995, this erosion appears to be worsening steadily and West Galveston Bay is very close to breaching into Oyster Lake. This project will install hard structure breakwaters (reef balls) that will reduce wave and wind energy affecting the shorelines and where elevations are suitable, emergent marsh will be replanted using cultivated plants. This process will help restore and improve marsh functions, including habitat and feeding grounds for fish and wading birds. CCA funds were leveraged as matching dollars for federal grants that will be needed to complete the project. Phase I of the project was completed in September 2013 and Phase II, the final construction, should be completed by the end of 2014.
Healthy habitat is vital to healthy ecosystems. CCA Texas continues to work with Texas Parks Wildlife Department and other groups to ensure the Texas coast is healthy. Many challenges lie ahead as populations continue to grow and expand along the Texas coast and the waterways and bays are used by more and more people every day. As stewards of the resource, we must keep a watchful eye on our coastal habitats and take the appropriate steps to stop and prevent habitat from degrading.
"Habitat is critical to healthy marine systems, and unfortunately we have lost a staggering amount of productive habitat all up and down the Texas coast. CCA Texas is committed to the restoration of these habitats," said Robby Byers, executive director of CCA Texas. "We have a strong working partnership with TPWD, Galveston Bay Foundation, Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries, Texas Ducks Unlimited and other groups and we look forward to working with them in the effort to conserve and restore the great marine resources of Texas."
For more information about Habitat Today for Fish Tomorrow, be sure to visit ww.ccatexas.org and click on the Conservation tab. You will find information about different projects, videos and much more.
Port Mansfield Cut and Beach Cleanup – March 15
We are busy preparing for the 2014 Port Mansfield Cut and Beach Cleanup that will be held on Saturday March 15. I want to thank all past volunteers and sponsors for their help and reach out once again to make this year’s project another success. To those who have already confirmed participation, we thank you mightily and, to any who want to jump onboard—now is the time!
We welcome all volunteers as we are in need of all the hardworking hands we can find. Past support from Port Mansfield homeowners in the form of meals and lodging for volunteers, and assisting with boat transportation of volunteers to the worksite have been greatly appreciated. Please join this worthy endeavor.
Donations in the form of checks payable to Port Mansfield Cut and Beach Clean Up can be sent to Bassler Energy Services - P.O. Box 33, Deanville, Texas 77852. We can also be reached at 979-535-4593.
We have some very special recognition coming this year; YOUR project has been chosen by Field & Stream Magazine as one of their official Hero for the Day events. Field & Stream will be sending a video crew and producer to film the event and interview workers, organizers and sponsors. Their involvement will bring national attention to what folks like YOU do every year and many every day, without recognition.
– Miller Bassler
CCA Texas's Habitat Today for Fish Tomorrow (HTFT) program has partnered with Texas Ducks Unlimited (TXDU) and the Galveston Bay Foundation (GBF) on three projects designed to prevent further erosion and restore lost marsh habitat.
Sargent Area Breakwater – The first breakwater project to be completed with TXDU is located just north of Sargent along the inland shores of the ICW. CCA Texas contributed $200,000 to this project which will protect up to three miles of marsh shoreline. The original design for the ICW provided channel width of 125 feet, but over time it has eroded to a width of over 700 feet, threatening adjacent brackish marshes, and thus reducing the overall productivity of the area's ecosystem through the loss of emergent and submergent vegetation. This inland marsh is a critical component of the marine ecosystem and it is important to protect it for the future. This project will be completed in phases, targeting the most threatened areas first. Phase-I and Phase-II construction was completed in June of 2013. CCA dollars were used as matching funds and helped create an additional 1,300 linear feet of breakwater, thus bringing the total linear footage of Phase I and II to 4,750 feet.
JD Murphree Wildlife Management Area Breakwater – The JD Murphree Wildlife Management Area Breakwater project construction began the last week of January 2014. This project was originally funded by CCA Texas in 2010, part of an ongoing effort to protect the fresh and saltwater marshes along the ICW in the Upper Coast region of Jefferson County. CCA Texas contributed $50,000 to this project which was leverage by TXDU as matching funds to generate over $325,000 through North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) grants. This support will allow 2,500 linear feet of breakwater to be constructed and should be complete in February 2014.
Oyster Lake Marsh Restoration and Protection – Galveston Bay Foundation submitted a $200,000 request to HTFT for the Oyster Lake Shoreline Protection and Marsh Restoration Project. This project will eventually protect up to 5,200 linear feet of shoreline from future erosion and habitat conversion. It is estimated that since 1944, up to 650 feet of shoreline has been lost on the West Bay side and up to 150 feet of shoreline has been lost from the Oyster Lake side. Since 1995, this erosion appears to be worsening steadily and West Galveston Bay is very close to breaching into Oyster Lake. This project will install hard structure breakwaters (reef balls) that will reduce wave and wind energy affecting the shorelines and where elevations are suitable, emergent marsh will be replanted using cultivated plants. This process will help restore and improve marsh functions, including habitat and feeding grounds for fish and wading birds. CCA funds were leveraged as matching dollars for federal grants that will be needed to complete the project. Phase I of the project was completed in September 2013 and Phase II, the final construction, should be completed by the end of 2014.
Healthy habitat is vital to healthy ecosystems. CCA Texas continues to work with Texas Parks Wildlife Department and other groups to ensure the Texas coast is healthy. Many challenges lie ahead as populations continue to grow and expand along the Texas coast and the waterways and bays are used by more and more people every day. As stewards of the resource, we must keep a watchful eye on our coastal habitats and take the appropriate steps to stop and prevent habitat from degrading.
"Habitat is critical to healthy marine systems, and unfortunately we have lost a staggering amount of productive habitat all up and down the Texas coast. CCA Texas is committed to the restoration of these habitats," said Robby Byers, executive director of CCA Texas. "We have a strong working partnership with TPWD, Galveston Bay Foundation, Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries, Texas Ducks Unlimited and other groups and we look forward to working with them in the effort to conserve and restore the great marine resources of Texas."
For more information about Habitat Today for Fish Tomorrow, be sure to visit ww.ccatexas.org and click on the Conservation tab. You will find information about different projects, videos and much more.
Port Mansfield Cut and Beach Cleanup – March 15
We are busy preparing for the 2014 Port Mansfield Cut and Beach Cleanup that will be held on Saturday March 15. I want to thank all past volunteers and sponsors for their help and reach out once again to make this year’s project another success. To those who have already confirmed participation, we thank you mightily and, to any who want to jump onboard—now is the time!
We welcome all volunteers as we are in need of all the hardworking hands we can find. Past support from Port Mansfield homeowners in the form of meals and lodging for volunteers, and assisting with boat transportation of volunteers to the worksite have been greatly appreciated. Please join this worthy endeavor.
Donations in the form of checks payable to Port Mansfield Cut and Beach Clean Up can be sent to Bassler Energy Services - P.O. Box 33, Deanville, Texas 77852. We can also be reached at 979-535-4593.
We have some very special recognition coming this year; YOUR project has been chosen by Field & Stream Magazine as one of their official Hero for the Day events. Field & Stream will be sending a video crew and producer to film the event and interview workers, organizers and sponsors. Their involvement will bring national attention to what folks like YOU do every year and many every day, without recognition.
– Miller Bassler