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Project name:
Sand Dune Restoration and shoreline Protection at McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge (#5006)
Project status: Complete
Grant Administrator:
Gulf of Mexico Foundation
(for NOAA)
Grantee:
McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge
Project location: 13 miles east of Sabine Pass, Jefferson County, Texas
Grant period: Feb
1, 2006
to May 31, 2006
Grant amount:
$10,000
Land Ownership: Public
Lat/Long:
Types of Habitat: sand dune
Project leader: Marty Bray, Refuge Manager
McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge
P.O. Box 609
Sabine Pass, TX 77655
(409) 971 2909 phone
409 971 2401 fax
email: marty_bray@fws.gov
Dune restoration
project site June 3 2005, before Hurricane Rita
Same area as above after
Hurricane Rita.
The dune was damaged, but
it blocked the tidal surge, protecting wetlands
from saltwater intrusion
and reducing shoreline erosion.
Species Benefiting From Restoration:
- Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle (Lepideochelys kempi)
- Leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea
coriacea)
- Piping plover
- Least tern
Acres of Habitat To be Restored:
This project will restore 1.5 miles of sand dune restoration on McFaddin NWR.
Project Summary:
Restore and stabilize 1.5 miles of sand dune habitat
by constructing sand fence and planting native
vegetation.
Capture blowing beach sand with a sand fence and
anchor it with native vegetation and consequently
build elevation that will prevent shoreline erosion
and saltwater intrusion to the freshwater marsh behind
the dune.
Provide future nesting habitat for Kemp’s Ridley sea
turtles.
Sand dune habitat will be restored by transplanting
root stock of Atlantic panicum grass on either side of
the newly constructed sand dune. This grass species
has proven to be well adapted to growing in this zone,
and can quickly stabilize a sand dune as well as
accumulate additional sand.
Need for Project:
Coastal erosion at McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge
has been a major ecological concern since the late
1980s. Over a five year period coastal erosion
accelerated and destroyed 16 miles of Highway 87. This
highway was rebuilt three times during this time
period and each time coastal erosion destroyed the
road. Presently, Highway 87 is nonexistent for 18
miles along the Gulf of Mexico. Coastal erosion
continues to occur and estimated 185 acres on McFaddin
NWR was eroded away during Hurricane Claudette (2003).
We have yet to calculate the loss from Hurricane Rita
but at least 200 acres of coastal prairie and marsh
was lost. A small section of shoreline of McFaddin NWR
still has a viable sand dune that withstood the tidal
surges of Hurricane Claudette and Rita. In contrast
there are approximately 15 miles of the coastline on
McFaddin NWR that have only a low wash-over terrace
which is highly erodable. The area identified for this
project is considered a 1.5 mile zone that continues
to be replenished with sand and has sand ridge that
can be restored to sand dune with restoration efforts.
On-The-Ground Activities:
- Sand fence will be constructed with volunteer help.
Posts will be set in augured holes 3 feet in depth and
backfilled. Sand fence will be attached to posts with
wood slats and nails.
- The roots of Atlantic panicum will be excavated
from plants already established on McFaddin NWR, and
transplanted on each side of the sand fence. The plants
will be planted on 3 foot center and 3 rows on either
side of the sand fence.
Monitoring and Long-Term Management:
The project will be monitored by before and after
photographs at designated photo points. Elevation
markers will be established to provide a measure of
sand accumulated as result of this project.Community Involvement:
Volunteers will be utilized for sand fence
construction. Students from Sabine Pass Independent
School District will be given an outdoor education
lesson on beach ecology.
Activity Schedule:
Sand fence will be constructed during February and
March.
Plants will be transplanted from March until May.
Project Partners:
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