Natural Infrastructure Report How Natural Infrastructure Can Shape a More Resilient Coast for Birds and for People JANUARY 2018

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Natural Infrastructure Report How natural infrastructure can shape a more resilient coast for birds and for people JANUARY 2018

Willet. Photo: Preeti Desai/Audubon CONTENTS NATURAL 4 California 5 Florida INFRASTRUCTURE 6 Louisiana 7 Maryland –DC REPORT 8 North Carolina How natural infrastructure can shape a more 9 South Carolina resilient coast for birds and for people 10 Texas

The stakes for coastal conservation have increasing number of billion dollar disaster Audubon works at over 1,000 sites never been higher. Burgeoning coastal events—from 1980-2017 there were 5.8 across all our coasts. At some of these development and population, along with events per year, but from 2013-2017, there sites, we are pioneering efforts to tackle increasingly frequent and severe storms were 11.6. extreme weather events and sea level due to climate change, are putting birds rise for birds and people through natural and communities at grave risk. Combined, Natural infrastructure can help infrastructure projects. Natural infrastruc- Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Maria and Nate communities prepare and recover from ture enhances coastal resiliency, creates caused over 200 deaths, an estimated extreme coastal events, by buffering necessary habitats for birds and other $330-630 billion in damages, evacua- storm damage, absorbing flood waters, wildlife, and safeguards the robust coast- tion of millions of people, and extreme and providing a front line of defense al economy. Coastal regions provide 40% habitat loss. The U.S. has experienced an from storms. of US employment, support more than

THE COST AND FREQUENCY OF BILLION DOLLAR DISASTERS HAS INCREASED IN THE U.S.

Credit: NOAA

Natural Infrastructure Report | January 2018 | 2 69 million jobs, and generate half of the Federal investment in natural infrastruc- preparedness of coastal communities. nation’s Gross Domestic Product. Coastal ture will help increase preparedness of Natural infrastructure solutions need to be restoration creates 30 jobs for each million coastal communities and economies, supported as part of the recovery efforts dollars invested. Additionally, natural while benefitting fish and wildlife, which after natural disasters so we build back infrastructure helps decrease the costs of also often provide a critical foundation communities to be stronger and better natural disaster damage. for coastal economies. prepared for future storms. This report highlights some of Audubon’s efforts that ■■ Studies show that a 2.5-acre Audubon works closely with our partners help tackle both near- and long-term decrease in wetlands corresponds across the federal government on natural threats confronting wildlife and their to a $33,000 increase in storm infrastructure and restoration projects, habitats while benefiting and sustaining damages. including the Department of Agriculture, healthy coastal communities. Natural Resources Conservation Service; ■■ In the Chesapeake Bay, for every Department of Commerce, National dollar spent constructing living Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; shorelines, up to $1.75 is returned to Department of Defense, Army Corps of the economy. Engineers; Department of the Interior, Fish ■■ New Jersey’s freshwater wetlands and Wildlife Service; and the Environmen- on average save $3 billion per year tal Protection Agency. It is critical that in avoided losses from floods, storm these programs receive adequate fund- surges, and other disturbances. ing to decrease future risks and increase

Natural Infrastructure Report | January 2018 | 3 Aramburu Island shoreline protection and ecological enhancement project

Timeline: 2011-2018 Location: Richardson Bay, Tiburon, California Partners: Marin County, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Costs: $1.1 million Funding Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

The project was constructed in 2011 and provided jobs for construction and techni- cal staff to complete the work. It increased coastal resiliency by stabilizing the eroding shoreline through introduction of cobble

View from the Richardson Bay Audubon Center and Sanctuary. materials and enhancement of habitats Photo: John Takekawa, Director of San Francisco Bay Programs, Audubon California which resulted in an increased use by populations of waterbirds, including nesting Aramburu Island is located adjacent to enhance the natural resource value of the Black Oystercatchers. It provided flood and Richardson Bay Audubon Center and area. The project goals include: erosion protection for nearby homes along Sanctuary, along the shoreline in the 1) reducing erosion of the eastern shore- the shoreline, and it served as one of the northwest region of Richardson Bay, line; 2) creating wetland and terrestrial only models for shoreline enhancement in south of San Francisco Bay. It was origi- habitats to support a range of target San Francisco Bay. Ongoing monitoring in- nally created from fill material as part of species and natural communities; and 3) cludes examining waterbird and invertebrate the Strawberry Spit, but it was converted providing a platform for enhancing resil- response and oyster restoration. into a 17-acre island in 1987 as wildlife ience to sea-level rise. habitat mitigation for development of the southern portion of the spit. Prior to Project Benefits: restoration, the island was degraded by San Francisco Bay is a highly urbanized area shoreline erosion and non-native plant col- that is home to more than 7 million people. onization. The site was designated as an It also supports diverse natural communities open space area under the Marin County dependent on conserving healthy ecosys- General Plan. tems in the baylands between the open water to the upland extent of tidal influence. The Aramburu Island Shoreline Protection The bayland ecosystems are comprised and Ecological Enhancement Project was of an interconnected mosaic of habitats, funded through recovery efforts from the including the living shorelines at the edge of 2007 Cosco Busan Oil Spill. The project the bay that provide support of ecological was initiated in 2011 by Audubon California functions for numerous species. Islands and Audubon employees and volunteers complete working in partnership with Marin County beaches provide critical ecological functions, ongoing monitoring projects. Department of Parks and Open Space to including providing food or cover for birds. Photo: John Takekawa, Audubon

Natural Infrastructure Report | January 2018 | 4 Erosion control breakwater reef at Richard T. Paul Alafia Bank Bird Sanctuary

The Richard T. Paul Alafia Bank Sanctu- breakwaters. This is an important site Timeline: 2011-TBD ary is comprised of two islands in Tam- for rare Diamondback Terrapins. Recovery Location: Hillsborough Bay, Tampa Bay, pa’s Hillsborough Bay, leased from and of this species on public lands and private Florida at the mouth of the Alafia River managed in collaboration with The Mosaic preserves like this one will help reduce Partners: The Mosaic Company, Port Company and Port Tampa Bay. This Glob- any potential regulatory burden on Tampa Bay, Living Shoreline Solutions, ally Important Bird Area supports more private landowners that would result Reef Innovations than 13,000 nesting pairs of 18 shore- from their listing. Costs: $2.1 million bird, seabird, and wading bird species. Funding Sources: National Fish and Storm-driven waves and increasingly large Project Benefits: Wildlife Foundation, Environmental ship wakes over the years have caused In 2016, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Protection Commission of Hillsborough substantial erosion, washing away the Conservation Commission created 13 new County, Tampa Bay Estuary Program, sandy shoreline and toppling trees into and expanded 5 existing Critical Wildlife Living Shorelines Solutions, Reef the water. Audubon works with the Mosaic Areas, essential for the survival of the Innovations, Coastal Resources Group, Company and Port Tampa Bay to add onto state’s waterbirds. These designations Tampa Audubon Society, the Mosaic the successful existing breakwater oyster allow for the posting of no-entry, in-water Foundation, and many donors to Audubon reef habitat, which intercepts onshore buffers to protect these vulnerable areas wave and wake energy from storms and from disturbance. Alafia Bank was granted shipping traffic in Tampa Bay, a major a year-round closure with a buffer, and is viewing in Florida generates more than port. In addition to ongoing erosion, Hurri- among the most important of this network $5 billion per year in economic impact, cane Irma caused damage to the sanctu- of sites crucial to the survival of these from domestic visitors alone. Alafia Bank ary where breakwater structures had not species in Florida. is responsible for fledging a substantial been installed. The Alafia Bank continues number of the most sought-after species to experience rapid loss of critical habitat Erosion control at Alafia Bank provides in the region for birdwatchers, including along the northern shoreline not protected many jobs and is beneficial to Florida’s Reddish Egret, Roseate Spoonbill and by offshore breakwaters. Events like Hur- economy. Each phase has required the American Oystercatcher. The breakwater ricane Irma exacerbate and accelerate this subcontracting of private engineering ser- also provides important reef and essential process and will continue to do so until vices, wave attenuation device fabrication, fish habitat and has become a destination the breakwater array is completed. barge rental and placement staff. Wildlife for recreational and professional anglers.

Erosion control at Alafia Bank is beneficial to more than 13,000 nesting pairs, including some of Florida’s rarest birds: Little Blue Herons, Tricolored Herons, Reddish Egrets, Roseate Spoonbills and Ameri- can Osytercatchers. The sanctuary hosts one of the region’s largest White and Glossy Ibis colonies and the state’s largest spoonbill colony. It also creates under- water structure for benthic invertebrates and their sportfish predators. Seagrass can recruit in the calm waters behind the Breakwater reef protects Alafia Bank from destructive erosion.Photo: John Landon

Natural Infrastructure Report | January 2018 | 5 Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion

Engineers and state of Louisiana civil Timeline: Permitting underway with con- works study called the Louisiana Coastal struction set to be completed 2020-2021 Area (LCA) Ecosystem Restoration Study. Location: Myrtle grove area, Plaquemines The study culminated in 2004 with a Parish, along the west side of the Missis- programmatic level main report and sippi River, influencing Barataria Bay Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Partners: State of Louisiana and Federal The project has since been included in permitting agencies (NOAA, DOI, Corps the state of Louisiana Coastal Master of Engineers) Plans in both 2012 and 2017 as one of its Costs: $1.3 billion highest priority projects for rebuilding Louisiana’s wetlands. In January 2017, the Funding Sources: Army Corps of Engineers, Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion was National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Brown Pelicans in the Mississippi River Delta are designated as a covered project under the National Resource Damage Assessment, among many species that will lose important the RESTORE Act, and more habitat. Photo: Ned Haight (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0) Fast-41 Federal Permitting Dashboard, a public platform that tracks agency reviews Within the Barataria Basin, wetland loss and permitting for projects of national a regular supply of sediment and fresh averaged 5,700 acres per year between significance. Audubon and partners are water to wetlands, sustaining traditional 1974 and 1990 due to natural erosional working to expedite permitting for and marsh creation projects while also building processes and human activities of approval of this project. new land. Ensuring wetlands throughout channelization, levee construction and Barataria Basin would safeguard critical development. The Mid-Barataria Sediment Project Benefits: habitat for important birds and other Diversion is needed to reverse past and Since diversions reestablish natural deltaic wildlife, including several endangered mitigate future land loss. This project will processes and continuously build land species, resulting in higher biodiversity and replicate natural deltaic and sedimentation over time, they provide long-term benefits productivity. Additionally, these new and processes by directing sediment, fresh that constructed marsh creation projects sustained wetlands provide a buffer from water and nutrients from the Mississippi alone do not. Sediment diversions provide storm surge for communities and industry. River into adjacent degrading wetlands in Barataria Basin to build and sustain tens of thousands of acres. The 2017 Louisiana LAND LOSS AREA CHANGE IN LOUISIANA FROM 1932-2010. Coastal Master Plan shows that the land area built or maintained by the project, based on Delft-3D modeling analysis, is projected to be approximately 8,000 acres in project year 2020, and nearly 30,000 acres over the 50-year lifespan of the project.

The Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion has been studied by state and federal agencies since 1984. The project was included in the U.S. Army Corps of Credit: Economist.com

Natural Infrastructure Report | January 2018 | 6 Blackwater climate adaptation project

Timeline: January 2011 - December 2018 Location: Dorchester County, Maryland Partners: The Conservation Fund, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, Sustainable Science LLC, U.S. Geological Survey, Maryland DNR Costs: $3.5 million Funding Sources: Town Creek Founda- tion, USFWS, Maryland DNR, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (Hurri- Dredged material getting deposited at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. cane Sandy Coastal resilience award Photo: Middleton Evans/Audubon Board Member to TCF), Wildlife Conservation Society, France-Merrick Foundation Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge lies at recently transitioned from uplands where the core of the Southern Dorchester Coun- ponded water in a collapsed basin is ty Important Bird Area, whose marshes causing vegetation loss. By extending the the Chesapeake Bay attain the nutrient not only support a unique salt marsh bird head of a tidal creek into this basin we will reduction targets set in the 2014 Chesa- community but also are essential to a relieve flooding, enhance tidal exchange, peake Bay Agreement. local economy based on farming, fisheries, and revive marsh vegetation. and tourism. However, nearly all of the Dorchester County’s marshes are home tidal marsh here is predicted to disap- Project Benefits: to 30,000 wintering waterfowl and a salt pear beneath rising seas by 2100. In the The goal of the Blackwater Climate Adap- marsh bird community including species planning phase of the project, Audubon tation Project is to ensure the persistence entirely dependent on this ecosystem, and partners combined the results of habi- of the tidal marsh ecosystem and its such as Saltmarsh Sparrow and the tat management, research, sea level rise unique birds and other wildlife in the face eastern Black Rail. Both of these species models and marshbird surveys to develop of sea level rise. The benefits of preventing are in rapid decline and threatened with a suite of strategies for increasing marsh the loss of these marshes are enormous extinction within decades. If a core of resilience to sea level rise, and to prioritize and relate to the local economy, quality high-quality marsh can be safeguarded locations where their implementation is of life, ecosystem health, and biodiversity. there is hope for these species. most feasible. This area supports hundreds of people in small communities and could convert to Implementation projects to date include open water by 2100. Dorchester County’s experimental tree removal to facilitate 84,000 acres of tidal marsh act as a buffer upslope migration of tidal marsh into for local communities against sea level rise salt-stressed forest and the application of and support countless nursery areas for 26,000 cubic yards of sediment dredged hatchling fishes in their creeks. Blackwater from the Blackwater River onto 40 acres refuge receives 200,000 visitors annually, of submerging marsh to raise the marsh over two-thirds of visitors to the county, elevation and reinvigorate marsh vege- who add millions of dollars to the County’s A Great Blue Heron in Blackwater National tation. A new project that began in 2017 economy. The marshes also act as a filter Wildlife Refuge. will halt and reverse erosion in a marsh and a sink for nutrient pollution and help Photo: James O’Guinn/Flickr (CC BY 2.0)

Natural Infrastructure Report | January 2018 | 7 Currituck Sound marsh restoration

Timeline: Initial planning underway; construction phase depends on funding Location: Mid-Currituck Sound between Duck and Corolla, North Carolina Partners: Alliance for Currituck Sound partnership: Currituck County, USFWS, NERR, USACE, NCWRC, Chowan Univer- sity, Sea Grant, TNC, Albemarle-Pamlico NEP, and more Costs: $1 million Funding Sources: Private foundations, and individuals

A Green Heron at a marsh in Currituck Sound. Photo: Christopher Elliot/Audubon Photography Awards

In 2010, the US Army Corps of Engineers Crabs, and White Perch. A study by the stakeholder group of agencies, NGO’s and completed a multi-year, multi-stakeholder North Carolina Natural Heritage Program users (watermen, hunters, and recreational study and found marsh and submerged found the presence of several rare plant companies). Bordering the sound, Currituck aquatic vegetation (SAV) is disappearing, species in the marsh, and that Endangered and Dare counties depend on tourism for especially in mid-Currituck Sound. The Atlantic sturgeon and West Indian manatee income, as tourism generates over $1 billion study predicts 430 acres of marsh will frequent the marsh channels. annually in this area. The natural wonders disappear every 6 years. Marsh and of the famed Outer Banks attract tourists, SAV should be recovered to sustain the Essential ecosystem services of marshes and while the beach is a dominant draw, health of the estuary and provide natural and SAV are significantly diminished by the more sound-side recreation is critical. These buffers that reduce impacts of storms and loss of these habitats. Tidal marshes and activities, combined with the Heritage flooding. Audubon and partners aim to SAV provide nursery grounds for fisheries, uses of the sound—fishing, crabbing, and construct terraces in the mid-Currituck food for wildlife, and export large amounts most especially waterfowl hunting—are the marsh complex to break wave energy, of detritus that forms the foundation economic lifeblood of the community. reduce marsh loss, allow new marsh and of aquatic food webs. The loss of these SAV to become established, and provide a habitats threatens fisheries and wildlife Audubon and members of the Alliance zone where marsh can be restored. that are important to the lives, livelihoods, have already sought multi-millions of and economy of the Sound’s residents and dollars in grants to restore and enhance Project Benefits: businesses. Marshes also provide buffering the sound. These natural infrastructure The marsh complex is designated as a benefits that reduce the damaging impacts projects, such as the demonstration living global Important Bird Area for waterfowl of storms and flooding, which are all-too shoreline project at the Donal C. O’Brien and supports healthy populations of frequent along North Carolina’s coast. Audubon Sanctuary, will protect traditional Osprey, marsh birds, herons and egrets. jobs while creating new ones in coastal It is designated essential fish habitat by To preserve and enhance the societal engineering and adaptation to sea level NOAA for species such as Bluefish and and ecological benefits the marshes of rise. These marshes support the culture, Summer Flounder, and supports significant Currituck Sound provide, Audubon created economy, and physical structure of the populations of Striped Bass, Mullet, Blue the Alliance for Currituck Sound, a multi- Outer Banks.

Natural Infrastructure Report | January 2018 | 8 Crab Bank Seabird Sanctuary restoration

Timeline: 2017 - 2019 Location: Charleston Harbor, Crab Bank Seabird Sanctuary, at the mouth of Shem Creek in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina Partners: Audubon South Carolina, Coast- al Conservation League, South Carolina Aquarium, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Coastal Expeditions, South Carolina Wildlife Federation Costs: $3.5 million Potential Funders: US Army Corps of Engineers, South Carolina Port Authority, private funding

Seabird Sanctuary islands is critical for coastal birds and communities. More sand on Crab Bank would restore bird habitat and put the dredged sand to use. Crab Bank has diminished to a narrow slice of sand. Photo: Vanessa Kauffmann The added wave energy from larger Crab Bank is a narrow slice of sand in Project Benefits: container ships navigating Charleston Charleston harbor that historically has Crab Bank is protected during the nesting Harbor also poses a potential problem to supported up to 5,000 nesting birds in season from human disturbance. These beach nesting birds. Added sand to Crab one season. It’s one of just five Seabird islands are vital for the success of beach Bank would mitigate this problem and Sanctuaries protected by the South nesting seabirds and shorebirds, which provide a base to create living shorelines, Carolina Department of Natural Resources include many species in decline. Data show which can decrease erosion due to wave and is a designated Globally Important that Crab Bank also serves as a secondary energy. Additionally, this project will help Bird Area by Audubon. But wind and site for other established colonial sites restore oyster reefs near the island. Oyster waves have taken a toll on Crab Bank. subject to severe tidal overwash or human reefs provide microhabitat for small marine Today, less than 100 birds can nest on this disturbance. In 2007, the island supported 15 organisms and improve water quality for shrinking crescent of sand. Audubon and breeding pairs of American Oystercatchers, fisheries habitat. This island is a fantastic partners support the renourishment of 179 Black Skimmer nests, 615 Brown Pelican resource for people living and visiting Crab Bank using dredged material from nests, 50 Gull-billed Tern nests, 1,212 Royal Charleston and adds enormous aesthetic Charleston Harbor, which would make the Tern nests, and 35 Sandwich Tern nests. and economic value to Shem Creek and now 0.5 acre island a huge 80 acre island. These birds rely on safe places to recover greater Charleston areas. Birds and other It will cost the Army Corps of Engineers and maintain healthy populations. With an wildlife are what makes South Carolina such an estimated $3.5 million to create increasing number of people moving to the a beautiful place to live and visit, and has habitat from dredged material rather than coast, beach-nesting bird habitat faces more made South Carolina a successful area to dumping the sand out in the ocean. risks than ever. Maintaining and restoring do business.

Natural Infrastructure Report | January 2018 | 9 Erosion control and restoration on Chester Island

vegetation loss, and large amounts of Timeline: October 2016 – ongoing trash deposited on Chester Island. Loss Location: Matagorda Bay near Port of nesting vegetation and ground nesting O’Connor, Texas habitat devestated the amount of colonial Partners: US Army Corps of Engineers waterbird species and their composition, Costs: $5.1 million which will likely impact future nesting Funding Sources: U.S. Army Corps of seasons. Engineers

Beginning in 2007, Chester Island lost its source of supplemental dredge material the nesting season, Chester Island usually due to USACE’s decision to realign the hosts 17,000-20,000 breeding pairs of 18 Intercoastal Waterway. Since then, the different bird species. island has lost close to 35 acres. In 2014, Chester Island was impacted by Hurricane the USACE began working with Audubon Dallas, Houston and Austin were among Harvey causing severe cliff erosion and gath- to re-supplement the island. Helping to ering of young Brown Pelicans. the country’s fastest growing cities in Photo: Courtesy of Audubon Texas offset the continued erosion, restoration is 2009. As Texas’ population grows and an ongoing effort. In 2017, USCAE added 1 coastal development increases, nesting In the 1960s, the U.S. Army Corps of million cubic yards of beneficial use material oases become rare. Barrier islands are Engineers (USACE) created a 200-acre to the coastline of the island. After Hurricane critical to ensure nesting bird species have island, called Chester Island (formerly Harvey devastated the island, more dredge a safe place to reproduce. known as Sundown Island) using dredged material is needed to mitigate the impacts material from the Matagorda ship channel of erosion and habitat loss. Audubon also Rookery islands like Chester are an that Audubon now manages. This island plans to hire a contractor to move material important part of a resilient bay system is one of the largest bird sanctuaries on within the island to provide more suitable and serve as a great litmus test of the Texas coast, providing nesting habitat bird habitat. overall bay health. Productive islands for thousands of colonial waterbirds every mean healthy and productive marine year. The system is susceptible to severe Project Benefits: ecosystems and fisheries. Additionally, erosion from high velocity currents from Chester Island is a vital part of Texas’ they are a part of our larger barrier island annual wind and storm events plus ship coastal economy as it serves as one of system. Barrier islands protect coastal wakes from vessels coming in and out of the largest colonial waterbird nurseries communities because they are the first Matagorda Ship Channel. From 1960 to on the Texas coast, helping to make Texas line of defense during threatening storms 2017, the island lost 117 acres and even one of the leading ecotourism states on and absorb much of the wave energy more after Hurricane Harvey devastated the Gulf. The Texas coast attracts birders that erodes private and public beachfront the island. High winds and storm surge and nature-lovers from all over the world properties. Recent observations found from Hurricane Harvey caused harmful bringing tourists to restaurants, hotels that after the passage of hurricanes in impacts including erosion that shifted the and recreational activities near the 2005 and 2008, restored barrier islands shoreline, the mortality of many birds, Central Coast and communities like Port weathered the storms much better than land loss of another 7 acres, wetland O’Connor, Texas. Due to its distance from adjacent non-restored areas. While the breaches leaving a strong flow in and the mainland, birds have a safe sanctuary restored portions maintained their sandy out of the island, sediment loss leaving where predators are easily controlled and beaches, unrestored portions eroded back embankments up to 20 feet, substantial human disturbance is minimal. During to a predominantly marsh shoreline.

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