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MANGROVE BAYOU MITIGATION BANK IN CAMERON PARISH
MANGROVE BAYOU MITIGATION BANK IN CAMERON PARISH
NAME OF APPLICANT: Miami Corporation: c/o Royal Engineers and Consultants LLC, Attn: April Dykes, 1231 Camellia Blvd, Lafayette, LA 70508.
LOCATION OF WORK: The 161.5 acre site consisting of mostly open water is located approximately 21.5 miles south of Lake Charles, Louisiana, in Cameron Parish, accessible by boat which can be launched at Hebert’s Landing off Hwy 384, as shown on enclosed drawings (Latitude: 29.901458 N, Longitude:–93.230238 W). The Project is located within the Lower Calcasieu Basin, Hydrologic Unit 08080206.
CHARACTER OF WORK: Deposition of approximately 321,420 cubic yards of dredged material from two ditches totaling 24.6 acres (on north and west side of the site) to construct a berm around and deposit material on the site for the purpose of creating and enhancing approximately 136.7 acres of brackish marsh for the construction of a mitigation bank.
JOINT PUBLIC NOTICE
February 18, 2015
United States Army
Corps of Engineers
New Orleans District
Regulatory Branch
Post Office Box 60267
New Orleans, La. 70160-0267
State of Louisiana
Department of Environmental Quality
Post Office Box 4313
Baton Rouge, La. 70821-4313
Attn: Water Quality Certifications
(504) 862-2548/ FAX (504) 862-2574
Jacqueline.R.Farabee@usace.army.mil
Project Manager
Jacqueline Farabee
Permit Application Number
MVN-2014-02212-MR
(225) 219-3039/FAX (225) 325-8250
Karen.latuso@la.gov
Project Manager
Karen Latuso
WQC Application Number
WQC # 150206-02
Interested parties are hereby notified that a permit application has been received by the New
Orleans District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers pursuant to: [X] Section 10 of the Rivers
and Harbors Act of March 3, 1899 (30 Stat. 1151; 33 USC 403); and/or [ X ] Section 404 of the
Clean Water Act (86 Stat. 816; 33 USC 1344).
Application has also been made to the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, for a
Water Quality Certification (WQC) in accordance with statutory authority contained in Louisiana
Revised Statutes of 1950, Title 30, Chapter 11, Part IV, Section 2074 A(3) and provisions of
Section 401 of the Clean Water Act (P.L.95-17).
MANGROVE BAYOU MITIGATION BANK IN CAMERON PARISH
NAME OF APPLICANT: Miami Corporation: c/o Royal Engineers and Consultants LLC, Attn:
April Dykes, 1231 Camellia Blvd, Lafayette, LA 70508.
LOCATION OF WORK: The 161.5 acre site consisting of mostly open water is located
approximately 21.5 miles south of Lake Charles, Louisiana, in Cameron Parish, accessible by
boat which can be launched at Hebert's Landing off Hwy 384, as shown on enclosed drawings
(Latitude: 29.901458 N, Longitude:93.230238 W). The Project is located within the Lower
Calcasieu Basin, Hydrologic Unit 08080206.
CHARACTER OF WORK: Deposition of approximately 321,420 cubic yards of dredged
material from two ditches totaling 24.6 acres (on north and west side of the site) to construct a
berm around and deposit material on the site for the purpose of creating and enhancing
approximately 136.7 acres of brackish marsh for the construction of a mitigation bank.
The comment period for the Department of the Army Permit and the Louisiana Department of
Environmental Quality WQC will close 30 days from the date of this joint public notice. Written
comments, including suggestions for modifications or objections to the proposed work, stating
reasons thereof, are being solicited from anyone having interest in this permit and/or this WQC
request and must be mailed so as to be received before or by the last day of the comment
period. Letters concerning the Corps of Engineers permit application must reference the
applicant's name and the Permit Application Number, and be mailed to the Corps of Engineers
-2at the address above, ATTENTION: REGULATORY BRANCH. Similar letters concerning the
Water Quality Certification must reference the applicant's name and the WQC Application
number and be mailed to the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality at the
address above.
The application for this proposed project is on file with the Louisiana Department of
Environmental Quality and may be examined during weekdays between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Copies may be obtained upon payment of costs of reproduction.
Corps of Engineers Permit Criteria
The decision whether to issue a permit will be based on an evaluation of the probable
impacts, including cumulative impacts of the proposed activity on the public interest. That
decision will reflect the national concern for both protection and utilization of important
resources. The benefit which reasonably may be expected to accrue from the proposal must be
balanced against its reasonably foreseeable detriments. All factors which may be relevant to the
proposal will be considered including the cumulative effects thereof; among those are
conservation, economics, aesthetics, general environmental concerns, wetlands, historic
properties, fish and wildlife values, flood hazards, floodplain values, land use, navigation,
shoreline erosion and accretion, recreation, water supply and conservation, water quality, energy
needs, safety, food and fiber production, mineral needs, considerations of property ownership
and, in general, the needs and welfare of the people.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is soliciting comments from the public, federal, state, and
local agencies and officials, Indian Tribes, and other interested parties in order to consider and
evaluate the impacts of this proposed activity. Any comments received will be considered by the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to determine whether to make, modify, condition, or deny a permit
for this proposal. To make this decision, comments are used to assess impacts on endangered
species, historic properties, water quality, general environmental effects, and other public
interest factors listed above. Comments are used in the preparation of an Environmental
Assessment and/or an Environmental Impact Statement pursuant to the National Environmental
Policy Act. Comments are also used to determine the need for a public hearing and to
determine the overall public interest of the proposed activity.
The New Orleans District is unaware of properties listed on the National Register of Historic
Places near the proposed work. The possibility exists that the proposed work may damage or
destroy presently unknown archeological, scientific, prehistorical, historical sites, or data.
Issuance of this public notice solicits input from the State Archeologist and State Historic
Preservation Officer regarding potential impacts to cultural resources.
Our initial finding is that the proposed work would neither affect any species listed as
endangered by the U.S. Departments of Interior or Commerce, nor affect any habitat designated
as critical to the survival and recovery of any endangered species.
This notice initiates the Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) consultation requirements of the
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. The applicant's proposal would
result in the destruction or alteration of 161.5 acre(s) of EFH utilized by various life stages of red
drum and penaeid shrimp. Our initial determination is that the proposed action would not have a
substantial adverse impact on EFH or federally managed fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico. Our
final determination relative to project impacts and the need for mitigation measures is subject to
review by and coordination with the National Marine Fisheries Service.
-3If the proposed work involves deposits of dredged or fill material into navigable waters, the
evaluation of the probable impacts will include the application of guidelines established by the
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Also, a certification that the proposed
activity will not violate applicable water quality standards will be required from the Department of
Environmental Quality, before a permit is issued.
Any person may request, in writing, within the comment period specified in this notice, that a
public hearing be held to consider this application. Requests for public hearings shall state, with
particularity, the reasons for holding a public hearing.
You are requested to communicate the information contained in this notice to any other
parties whom you deem likely to have interest in the matter.
The applicant has certified that the proposed activity described in the application complies
with and will be conducted in a manner that is consistent with the Louisiana Coastal Resources
Program. The Department of the Army permit will not be issued unless the applicant received
approval or a waiver of the Coastal Use Permit by the Department of Natural Resources.
You are requested to communicate the information contained in this notice to any other
parties whom you deem likely to have interested in the matter.
Martin S. Mayer
Chief, Regulatory Branch
Enclosure
FINAL PROSPECTUS
MANGROVE BAYOU COASTAL MARSH
MITIGATION BANK
CAMERON PARISH, LOUISIANA
PREPARED FOR
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
New Orleans District
New Orleans, Louisiana
PREPARED AND SUBMITTED BY
Royal Engineers & Consultants, LLC
214 Third Street
Suite 2C
Baton Rouge, LA 70801
www.royalengineering.net
MANGROVE BAYOU COASTAL MARSH MITIGATION BANK
CAMERON PARISH, LOUISIANA
DECEMBER 12, 2014
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0
INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................................... 1
2.0
PROJECT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES ..................................................................................... 2
3.0
ECOLOGICAL SUITABILITY OF THE SITE .......................................................................... 2
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
3.6
4.0
Historical Site Conditions ................................................................................................ 2
Current Site Conditions and Characteristics .................................................................... 3
General Watershed Characteristics .................................................................................. 4
Congruence with Local Action Plans ............................................................................... 5
General Bank Need .......................................................................................................... 5
Technical Feasibility ........................................................................................................ 6
BANK ESTABLISHMENT ........................................................................................................... 6
4.1
4.2
5.0
Management Summary .................................................................................................... 6
Proposed Service Area ..................................................................................................... 7
OPERATIONS ................................................................................................................................ 8
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
Future Ownership and Long-Term Management ............................................................. 8
Site Protection Mechanism............................................................................................... 8
Long Term Management Strategy.................................................................................... 8
Sponsor Qualifications ..................................................................................................... 9
6.0
CONCLUSION ............................................................................................................................... 9
7.0
REFERENCES ................................................................................................................................ 9
FIGURES
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6
Figure 7
Figure 8
Figure 9
Figure 10
Figure 11
Figure 12
Vicinity
Service Area
Proposed Restoration Plan, Soils, Mitigation Type, and Cross Section Location Map
Current Hydrology Map
Post Construction Hydrology Map
Typical Cross-Sections
Typical Cross-Section
Boundary Survey
1998 Historical Aerial
2003 Historical Aerial
2009 Historical Aerial
2013 Historical Aerial
APPENDIX
Appendix A
Appendix B
Appendix C
Appendix D
USACE Jurisdictional Determination
United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Trip
Report via Email
Geotechnical Engineering Services Cameron-Creole Watershed Grand Bayou Marsh
Creation Project
Resource Management Plan for Cameron Creole
i
FINAL PROSPECTUS
Royal Engineers & Consultants, LLC
Mangrove Bayou Coastal Marsh Mitigation Bank
Cameron Parish, Louisiana
1.0
Introduction
Royal Engineers & Consultants, LLC (ROYAL) submits this Final Prospectus on behalf of
Miami Corporation to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers New Orleans District (CEMVN) and
the Interagency Review Team (IRT) to initiate evaluation of the proposed Mangrove Bayou
Coastal Marsh Mitigation Bank in accordance with 33 CFR 332.8(d)(2). The details pertaining to
the use of the site as a mitigation bank will be specified within the subsequent Mitigation
Banking Instrument (MBI).
BANK SPONSER AND OWNER
Miami Corporation is the Sponsor of the Mangrove Bayou Coastal Marsh Mitigation Bank. The
land is owned in fee title by Miami Corporation who will assume long term ownership and
management of the Mangrove Bayou Coastal Marsh Mitigation Bank.
SITE LOCATION
The Mangrove Bayou Coastal Marsh Mitigation Bank is approximately 136.75 acres and will
provide approximately 101.58 acres of created brackish marsh and approximately 35.17 acres of
enhanced emergent brackish marsh. The site is located at 93 13' 48.8655" W and 29 54' 5.2502"
N within Section 25 T13S R09W and Section 30 T13S R08W in Cameron Parish, Louisiana
(Figure 1). The project site is bordered on the west by the levee borrow canal, which will be
utilized for dredge material for completion of this project, and the levee located on the eastern
side of Calcasieu Lake. To the north, the project site is bordered by Lake Shore Canal and to the
1
east it is bordered by the PPG Ditch. The Mangrove Bayou Coastal Marsh Mitigation Bank
project site is located entirely within the area known as "The Island" within Cameron Parish,
Louisiana, within the Lower Calcasieu Watershed, HUC 08080206 (Figure 2).
DRIVING DIRECTIONS
This site is only accessible by boat.
·
·
·
·
2.0
Launch at Hebert's Landing (Located on Grand Lake off of Highway 384).
Travel South through Calcasieu Lake.
Enter Grand Bayou Water Control Structure and travel into the Cameron Creole
Watershed entering the borrow canal.
Travel approximately 3 miles north through the borrow canal to the project site located at
93 13' 48.8655" W and 29 54' 5.2502" N.
Project Goals and Objectives
The goal of the Mangrove Bayou Coastal Marsh Mitigation Bank is the creation and
enhancement of emergent brackish marsh within the Lower Calcasieu Watershed, HUC
08080206 (Figure 3). Table 1, located below, shows current and proposed habitat types and
acreages.
Table 1: Current Habitat Types, Proposed Habitat Type, Land Use, and Proposed Mitigation
Type
Present Habitat
Proposed Habitat
Current Land
Mitigation Type Acreage
Type
Type
Use
Shallow Open Water
Emergent
Marsh
Marsh Creation
(Brackish)
Brackish Marsh
101.58
Emergent Brackish
Emergent
Marsh
Marsh
Marsh
Brackish Marsh
Enhancement
35.17
3.0
Ecological Suitability of the Site
3.1
Historical Site Conditions
The Mangrove Bayou Coastal Marsh Mitigation Bank, located within the Cameron-Creole
Watershed, consisted, historically, of densely vegetated brackish marsh as evidenced by aerial
photography. In 2005 these marshes suffered severe impacts due to Hurricane Rita and again in
2008 due to Hurricane Ike. In addition to impacts from hurricanes and as a result of damage due
to hurricanes, the project area has been affected by surface erosion and the exportation of organic
matter as well as compaction of soils due to loss of vegetation and root material resulting in
decreases in elevation. Prior to Hurricane Katrina, mean elevation within the project area was
found to be 0.784, as determined by available LIDAR data. Following Hurricanes Katrina and
Ike, in 2009, mean elevation was determined to be -0.090, based upon contour data provided by
the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service within the
2
Cameron-Creole Freshwater Introduction Project (CS-49) Vegetative Plantings Preliminary
Design Report dated September 2009. Although much of this change in elevation is due to
impacts associated with these two hurricanes, surface erosion, exportation of organic matter, and
subsidence are actively occurring within this area.
Prior to 2005, mean salinity within the project area was determined to be 8 ppt. Due to storm
surge, severe and persistent flooding within the project area occurred following Hurricane Rita
and continued through the beginning of 2006. Once storm waters receded, it became apparent
that a large portion of the marsh located within the project area had fragmented and many areas
had become mudflats with little to no vegetation. Again in September of 2008, due to Hurricane
Ike, the marsh located within the project area sustained additional damage resulting in additional
loss of marsh and vegetation within the project area. In addition, salinities had risen significantly
to a mean of 11 ppt. following the storm and receding of storm waters.
By June of 2012, salinities were documented to be between 14-17 ppt. and water levels were
found to be 0.2 feet. Within only a few months of very low regional rainfall and scheduled
monthly openings of the control structures within the Cameron-Creole Watershed, it was
documented that salinities had increased up to 21 ppt. and the water level had risen up to +1 foot
at which it remained throughout the remainder of 2012.
3.2
Current Site Conditions and Characteristics
The majority of the project area, approximately 101.58 acres, is now shallow open water which
contains little to no living vegetation. The remaining 35.17 acres consists of fragmented
emergent brackish marsh. As of June of 2014, as noted within the United States Department of
Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Trip Report via Email, water levels within
the project area were documented to be 0.4 feet and salinities were found to be 18-20 ppt.
Subsidence rates within this area are 1-15 mm/year as documented within Louisiana's
Comprehensive Master Plan for a Sustainable Coast.
CURRENT VEGETATION
Vegetation is present within the approximately 35.17 acres of emergent brackish marsh located
within the project site. Vegetation located within the emergent brackish marsh consists entirely
of Spartina alterniflora and Spartina patens. No vegetation is present within the approximately
101.58 acres of shallow open water.
CURRENT SOILS
The project site, in its entirety, is mapped as Bancker muck according to the current USDA
NRCS Custom Soil Resources Report for Cameron Parish, Louisiana (Figure 3). Bancker muck,
typical of Cameron Parish, Louisiana, consists of very poorly drained, very slowly permeable,
slightly saline, mucky mineral soils located within brackish marshes. These soils are generally
flooded with several inches of water; however, these soils may be flooded with up to 10 feet of
water during intense storms due to extreme tides. This soil is listed as hydric within the National
3
Lists of Hydric Soils; All States (U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation
Service, 2014).
PROPERTY CONSTRAINTS
Mangrove Bayou Coastal Marsh Mitigation Bank project site is located South of Grand Lake
within an area of land known as "The Island" within Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana. The project
site and adjacent property are located within unincorporated land, absent of zoning regulations.
The site is connected to and surrounded by both natural and man-made tributaries and emergent
brackish marsh.
JURISDICTIONAL DETERMINATION
A Jurisdictional Determination was issued by CEMVN on September 26, 2014, stating that the
Mangrove Bayou Coastal Marsh Mitigation Bank project site, in its entirety, is a wetland and
subject to U.S. Army Corps. Of Engineers jurisdiction. A copy of the Jurisdictional
Determination is included within Appendix A.
3.3
General Watershed Characteristics
WATER SOURCES AND LOSSES
The primary sources of water for the Mangrove Bayou Coastal Marsh Mitigation Bank are
precipitation, flow from adjacent properties due to tidal influence, or ingress from Calcasieu
Lake due to management of the Cameron-Creole Watershed through the use of water control
structures. Average annual precipitation within the vicinity of the project area is approximately
57 inches per year. June is the wettest month of 2014 with average precipitation of 14.54 inches,
while April is the driest month of 2014 with average precipitation of 0.85 inches.
Water levels within the Mangrove Bayou Coastal Marsh Mitigation Bank project area are
somewhat tidally influenced from Calcasieu Lake; however, water levels within this area are
managed through the use of the water control structures located along the eastern shore of
Calcasieu Lake. During high water events, water flows into the Mangrove Bayou Coastal Marsh
Mitigation Bank project area from the levee borrow canal bordering the western side of the
project area, from Lake Shore Canal bordering the northern side of the project area, from the
PPG Ditch to the east, and from the marsh bordering the southern portion of the project area.
Water from within the project area then drains back through all of those areas at varying water
levels. By implementing the hydrologic restoration plan as detailed within Section 4.1, the
project area elevation will be increased such that ponding within the area will be decreased
allowing for growth of emergent vegetation. Drainage will then occur from west to east such that
water drains exclusively through gaps within the containment placed along PPG ditch and
through adjacent marsh located south of the project area (Figure 5).
4
HYDROPERIOD
The presence of hydric soils indicates that prolonged conditions of saturation and/or inundation
have occurred historically within the area. This site is composed entirely of Bancker muck, a
hydric soil, which consists of very poorly drained, very slowly permeable, slightly saline, mucky
mineral soils. Bancker muck is located within brackish marsh and is generally flooded with
several inches of water; however, these soils may be flooded with up to 10 feet of water during
intense storms due to extreme tides. During periods when Bancker muck is not flooded, the
water table exists 1.0 foot above to 0.5 foot below the surface.
3.4
Congruence with Local Action Plans
The Mangrove Bayou Coastal Marsh Mitigation Bank is in line with the goals and objectives of
the Cameron-Creole Watershed Management Plan that was developed to assist in restoring the
Cameron-Creole Watershed to the approximate 1972 conditions by restoring the vegetative
communities and salinity regimes within the watershed.
CWPPRA project CS-49 is located within the vicinity of the project area. CS-49, otherwise
known as the Cameron-Creole Freshwater Introduction, will introduce freshwater to restore the
function, value, and sustainability of approximately 22,247 acres of marsh and open water within
the Cameron-Creole Watershed. A portion of CS-49, the vegetative planting portion, was
completed within the Mangrove Bayou Coastal Marsh Mitigation Bank project area in June of
2012; however, all vegetation planted within the project area has since died and the United States
Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service has recommended, as of July
2014 within a Trip Report via Email (Appendix B), that no additional plantings occur within this
area at this time. Instead, it is suggested that there are numerous marsh nourishment projects
needed within this area which would result in increases in elevation thereby providing conditions
more conducive to supporting vegetation. Therefore, creation of the Mangrove Bayou Coastal
Marsh Mitigation Bank will restore an area that was intended to be restored within CS-49,
making this project in line with the goals and objectives set forth by CWPPRA for this area.
Southwest Coastal Louisiana Feasibility Study project 3c1 is also located within the vicinity of
the project area. 3c1 includes beneficial use of dredge material, obtained from the Calcasieu Ship
Channel, to restore approximately 1,765 acres of brackish marsh located adjacent to the eastern
rim of Calcasieu Lake within the Cameron-Creole Watershed. The Mangrove Bayou Coastal
Marsh Mitigation Bank does fall within the proposed marsh restoration area and is in line with
the proposed project as beneficial use of dredge material would be used to restore marsh.
3.5
General Bank Need
There are currently no brackish marsh mitigation banks located within the proposed primary
service area of the Mangrove Bayou Coastal Marsh Mitigation Bank, the Chenier Plain including
HUC 08080206, HUC 08080202, and a portion of HUC 08080103.
The Mangrove Bayou Coastal Marsh Mitigation Bank will provide mitigation for oil and gas
exploration and production, as well as industrial development which is currently ongoing within
5
this area of the state. In addition, mitigation will be available for residential and commercial
development.
3.6
Technical Feasibility
The Mangrove Bayou Coastal Marsh Mitigation Bank has a high degree of technical feasibility.
The project is located within the Cameron Creole Watershed, an area that is extensively studied
and, once again, extensively controlled for fisheries, vegetative communities, and salinity
regimes. This degraded/fragmented/deteriorated brackish marsh, the project site, is surrounded
by areas of existing emergent brackish marsh at elevations conducive to support and that do
support emergent brackish marsh. It is expected, due to the increased elevation of the marsh and
the salt tolerant species (0-30 ppt.) to be planted, that the success of the project will not be
completely dependent upon strict adherence to the Cameron-Creole Watershed Management
Plan, although strict adherence would be preferred. Periodic fluctuations in water level and
salinity are to be expected and were considered during preliminary design and engineering. The
Mangrove Bayou Coastal Marsh Mitigation Bank shall be a success once elevations within the
project site are increased, hydrology is altered such that shallow open water is not located on site
year round, and salinities are lowered.
In addition, the CWPPRA project, the Cameron-Creole Freshwater Introduction Project (CS-49),
once complete, will provide for additional freshwater input which will assist in sustainability and
increases in organic productivity within this area.
4.0
Bank Establishment
4.1
Management Summary
HYDROLOGIC RESTORATION
The primary sources of hydrology of the proposed Mangrove Bayou Coastal Marsh Mitigation
Bank include rainfall; groundwater; and surface inundation due to flooding events, tidal
fluctuations, or opening and closing of water controls structures associated with the CameronCreole Watershed Management Plan. Rainfall is estimated to be approximately 57 inches per
year according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Weather Service
Weather Forecast Office. Water levels, from the Cameron-Creole Watershed Management Plan,
are expected to remain between 2" above and 6" below marsh elevation; however, within the
project area, mean high water is 0.7506 and mean low water is -0.0276.
In order to create marsh and enhance existing marsh within the project area, containment will be
constructed along the borrow canal and PPG Ditch. Dredge material, approximately 321,420
cubic yards, will then be placed within the containment at a post construction target elevation of
+1.5' NAVD 88 elevation over the entirety of the project area designated for marsh creation. In
order to enhance existing marsh, dredge material will be placed within the degraded areas within
the project area designated for marsh creation at a post construction target elevation of
+1.5'NAVD 88. Based upon expected settlement rates for this area, marsh elevation is expected
6
to stabilize within the MHW and MLW levels. Following dewatering, containment along PPG
Ditch will be gapped in order to allow for drainage of the project area. Drainage will also occur
through the southern end of the project area as containment will not be constructed within this
area. Figures 6 and 7 present typical cross-sections for creation and enhancement construction
activities.
DRAINAGE AREA
Once the Mangrove Bayou Coastal Marsh Mitigation Bank project is completed, water will enter
the project area via rain water accumulation, from the south via sheet flow through marsh
bordering the southern portion of the project area, and through gaps located within the
containment along PPG Ditch. Water will then drain into PPG Ditch through those same gap and
through the marsh located south of the project area.
VEGETATIVE RESTORATION
Vegetation restoration will include planting Spartina alterniflora and Spartina patens within the
approximately 101.58 acres of created emergent brackish marsh and where necessary within the
approximately 35.17 acres of enhanced emergent brackish marsh. Spartina alterniflora can
tolerate water with salinities ranging from 0 ppt. to 35 ppt. Spartina patens will tolerate irregular
inundations of water with a salinity of 0 ppt. to 35 ppt.
INVASIVE SPECIES CONTROL
During both short-term and long-term success monitoring, invasive plant species growing within
the planted areas will be treated using herbicidal treatment, if necessary.
MONITORING
Monitoring shall begin 30 to 60 days after completion of placement of dredge material and shall
then occur during active growing season of years 1, 3, and 7. Monitoring reports shall be
prepared following monitoring activities and reports shall be submitted by no later than
December 31 of that monitoring year.
If additional dredge material is required in order to meet elevation requirements, then required
monitoring shall be based on the new dredge material completion date. If additional plantings are
required, then required monitoring shall be based on the new planting completion date.
4.2
Proposed Service Area
The Mangrove Bayou Coastal Marsh Mitigation Bank is located in the Lower Calcasieu
Watershed, HUC 08080206. Miami Corporation proposes the Chenier Plain including HUC
08080206, HUC 08080202, and a portion of HUC 08080103 as the Primary Service Area of the
Mangrove Bayou Coastal Marsh Mitigation Bank.
7
5.0
Operations
5.1
Future Ownership and Long-Term Management
SPONSOR/OPERATIONS MANAGER/LONG-TERM MANAGEMENT
Miami Corporation
309 La Rue France
Suite 201
Lafayette, Louisiana 70508
(337) 264-1695
Point of Contact: Chad J. Courville
ccourville@miami-corp.com
LANDOWNER/LONG-TERM OWNERSHIP
Miami Corporation
309 La Rue France
Suite 201
Lafayette, Louisiana 70508
(337) 264-1695
Point of Contact: Chad J. Courville
ccourville@miami-corp.com
AGENT
Royal Engineers & Consultants, LLC
1231 Camellia Boulevard
Lafayette, Louisiana 70508
(337) 456-5351
Point of Contact: Ralph Libersat
rlibersat@royalengineers.net
5.2
Site Protection Mechanism
The Mangrove Bayou Coastal Marsh Mitigation Bank will be protected for a duration of 20
years, commensurate with the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources In-Lieu Fee program
and other coastal marsh mitigation banks. The servitude will be held by a conservation oriented
501(c)(3) organization to be determined and will prohibit fill discharges and/or other
development that would diminish the quality or quantity of created/restored/enhanced wetlands.
The servitude will be associated with the property title.
5.3
Long Term Management Strategy
The sponsor, Miami Corporation, will ensure the long-term success and sustainability of the
Mangrove Bayou Coastal Marsh Mitigation Bank. Mechanisms used to do so include site
8
monitoring, vegetative plantings as necessary, exotic/invasive species control, hydrologic
maintenance as necessary, establishment of financial assurances, and protection by conservation
servitude. A short and long term marsh management plan will be included within the Mitigation
Banking Instrument.
5.4
Sponsor Qualifications
Miami Corporation is a private land holding company that allows for responsible oil and gas
exploration, hunting, fishing, and other sustainable surface uses of their approximately 240,000
acres of land throughout coastal Louisiana. Miami Corporation has participated in numerous
coastal restoration projects and programs and currently have numerous coastal monitoring
stations located on their property within coastal Louisiana.
6.0
Conclusion
The Mangrove Bayou Coastal Marsh Mitigation Bank has the potential to create 101.58 acres of
emergent brackish marsh and to enhance 35.17 acres of emergent brackish marsh. Miami
Corporation, assisted by Royal Engineers & Consultants, has determined that the Mangrove
Bayou Coastal Marsh Mitigation Bank has a very high probability of success based upon an indepth review of historical and current data.
7.0
References
Cameron-Creole Freshwater Introduction Project (CS-49) Vegetative Plantings Preliminary
Design Report. U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service,
2009.
Cameron Creole Watershed Status and Trends. Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration
Authority, 2014.
Clean Water Act, 40 C.F.R. §230, 2013.
Clean Water Act, Navigation and Navigable Waters, 33 C.F.R. §325, 2013.
Clean Water Act, Navigation and Navigable Waters, 33 C.F.R. §332, 2013.
Lichvar, R.W., M. Butterwick, N.C. Melvin, and W.N. Kirchner. The National Wetland Plant List:
2014 Update of Wetland Ratings. Phytoneuron 2014-41: 1-42. 2014.
Louisiana's 2012 Integrated Report and 303(d) List. Louisiana Department of Environmental
Quality, 2012.
9
Louisiana's Nonpoint Source Management Plan. Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality,
2012.
National Lists of Hydric Soils; All States. U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources
Conservation Service, 2014.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Weather Service Weather Forecast
Office. Climate Information Yearly Climate Summaries for Lake Charles, Louisiana. <
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lch/?n=climate>
National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.2. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 2014.
The Natural Communities of Louisiana. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
Louisiana Natural Heritage Program, 2009.
U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service. Natural Resources
Conservation Service, Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station, and Louisiana Soil and
Water Conservation Committee. Soil Survey of Cameron Parish, Louisiana. Washington
D.C.: National Cooperative Soil Survey, 1995.
U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service National Plants
Database.
U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Web Soil Survey.
Custom Soil Resources Report for Cameron Parish, Louisiana.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wetlands Inventory.
10
Figures
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 6
FIGURE 7
FIGURE 8
FIGURE 9
FIGURE 10
FIGURE 11
Appendix A