Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration

Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act, 16 U.S.C. §§3951 3957. This is a funding opportunity for the restoration, enhancement, and protection of 2,430 acres of coastal wetlands within the San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) and adjacent private land (Phase 2). Since established, erosion of tidal marshes along the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GICW), GICW traffic and natural storms has dramatically increased open water along the waterway and eliminated natural marsh habitats. The shoreline erosion coupled with increased openings to interior wetlands from opening cuts along the GICW, increase subsidence from oil and gas extraction, and channelization from pipeline and road construction has led to the degradation of the marsh habitats both on and off the NWR. Erecting a barrier along the GICW will stop shoreline erosion and decrease the speed and strength of tidal and freshwater flows in and out of the marsh. This decrease enables the marsh to naturally accrete sediments. Working with local, State, and Federal agencies, the refuge can protect its natural resources which are addressed by the Secretary for the Department of the Interior⿿s first priority, ⿿Creating a conservation stewardship legacy second only to Teddy Roosevelt, (a) utilize science to identify best practices to manage land and water resources and adapt to changes in the environment.⿝