Big Cypress Bayou Fish and Wildlife Habitat Restoration, Tx

As of 2 February 2010

ISSUE PAPER BIG CYPRESS BAYOU FISH AND WILDLIFE HABITAT RESTORATION, TX CONSTRUCTION - CONTINUING AUTHORITIES PROGRAM – SECTION 1135

STATEMENT OF ISSUE Construction and operation of Lake O’ the Pines caused significant degradation to the in-stream and bottomland hardwood ecosystems associated with the Big Cypress Bayou downstream of the Ferrells Bridge Dam.

CURRENT STATUS Construction of the in-stream gravel bars was completed in July of 2008. Currently, final details to the plans and specifications for the riparian restoration component along the bayou near the historic downtown of Jefferson, Texas are being completed and the city is in the process of acquiring the necessary real estate interests. Fiscal Year 2010 funds would be used to fully fund project construction.

SUMMARIZED FINANCIAL DATA: FY 2010 Estimated Federal Cost $ 4,196,500 Estimated Non-Federal Cost 1,396,000 Total Estimated Project Cost 5,592,500

Allocation thru FY 09 2,746,500 FY 10 Budget 0 FY 10 Appropriation 1,450,000 ARRA of 2009 0 Budget Request for FY 11 N/A FY 11 Amount that could be used 0 Balance to Complete after FY 11 0 Benefit to Cost Ratio (7%) N/A Remaining Benefits Remaining Costs Ratio (7%) N/A

BACKGROUND The project is located in Marion County in northeast Texas. The specific project area is located on the west bank of Big Cypress Bayou within the city of Jefferson, Texas, approximately 14 miles downstream of Lake O’ the Pines. The riparian component of the project includes reforestation, urban wildscape, emergent wetlands, and education and interpretive trails and the aquatic component included development of instream spawning and nursery habitat. This project was authorized by Section 1135 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986, as amended. Full implementation of the project is project to provide a gain of approximately 17,925 average annual habitat units (AAHU) in the area.

CONGRESSIONAL INTEREST Representative Gohmert (TX-1)

HQ Action Officer: Susan Hughes, CEMP-SWD (202)761-4268 As of 2 February 2010 TALKING POINTS BIG CYPRESS BAYOU FISH AND WILDLIFE HABITAT RESTORATION, TX CONSTRUCTION - CONTINUING AUTHORITIES PROGRAM – SECTION 1135

TALKING POINTS

 The Project Cooperation Agreement for this project was executed on 20 November 2007 and the Phase I, In-stream Aquatic Restoration, construction contract was completed in July 2008.  The city of Jefferson is in the process of acquiring real estate interests within the footprint of the project area along Big Cypress Bayou in the historic downtown Jefferson area.

Questions and Answers

Q-1. Why have the total project costs increased?

A-1. Sir, recent collaborative and partnering efforts aimed at making the project more holistic have expanded the original scope, thereby, increasing project costs.

HQ Action Officer: Susan Hughes, CEMP-SWD (202)761-4268