Restoration of more than 2,500 coastal acres benefits fish, shellfish and residents

Relevance:

An outdated flood-control structure in New Orleans and logging roads in Apalachicola, Florida, impaired the natural movement of water. In New Orleans, the flood-control gate prevented the natural flow of water and movement of fish between Lake Pontchartrain and the area behind the gate. It also prevented people from catching recreationally important fish in City Park and made it impossible to travel via water (kayak, canoe, etc.) between the park and Lake Pontchartrain. In a rural coastal area of Florida, the improper design of dirt roads caused Apalachicola Bay to have rapidly changing salinity levels after rainfall events, which adversely impacted important fish and shellfish species.

Response:

Through a community-based NOAA Restoration Center partnership with the four Sea Grant College Programs in the Gulf of Mexico, the Orleans Levee District received funding to remove a large concrete barrier in New Orleans, and the Northwest Florida Water Management District received funding to install 10 low-water crossings, 15 culvert modifications and 24 ditch plugs in the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River system.

Results:

Two restoration projects restored natural flow or sheet flow, as well as more than 4 miles of passage and 2,560 coastal acres. The projects directly benefited 13 freshwater and 20 saltwater fish species. In addition, the projects provided enhanced recreational opportunities, such as fishing for additional fish species and accessing more waterways via kayak and canoe.

Recap:

Two restoration projects restored more than 2,560 coastal acres to a more natural state, which benefited fish and shellfish and allowed people to enjoy additional nature-based recreational opportunities. 2013.