GOMESA Application Details
- 1. Title of Project
- Coastal Preserves Educational Walkway
- 2. Location of Project
- Ocean Springs, Jackson County, Mississippi - Overlook at Old Fort Bayou/Hussey Outdoor Classroom/12 Oaks Coastal Preserves
- 3. Requesting Organization
- Land Trust for the MS Coastal Plain
- 4a. Name
- Sara Guice
- 4b. Position
- 4c. Phone Number
- 228-435-9191
- 4d. Fax Number
- 4e. Address Line 1
- 1543 Wilkes Avenue
- 4e. Address Line 2
- 4e. City, State Zip
- Biloxi, MS
- 4f. Email
- sara.guice@ltmcp.org
- 5. FundingRequested
- $3,795,537
- Awarded Amount:
- $0
- 6. Other State or Federal Funding Sources
- Yes
- 7a. Amount of Additional Funds
- $71,850
- 7b. Source of Additional Funds
- Land Trust for the MS Coastal Plain reserved funding for DOJ Settlement to be used for acquisition in Jackson County
- 8. Total Project Funds Amount
- $3,867,387
- 9. Project Description/Overview
- The Land Trust for the Mississippi Coastal Plain, the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources, and the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality will partner to install an educational walking bridge between the Land Trust's Marsh Overlook property and the MDMR's 12 Oaks Coastal Preserves property. To achieve this, two parcels of predominantly estuarine and coastal wetland habitat have been identified for acquisition. These properties will be acquired by the Land Trust for no more than yellowbook appraised value and subsequently transfered to the MS Secretary of State to be added to MDMR's 12 Oaks Coastal Preserves. The potential acquistion has not been appraised at this time, and as such may be valued signifcantly lower than the budgeted $2 million. This initiative will enhance habitat connectivity and coastal protection through conservation of this unique region of the Gulf Coast. Additionally, the artificially dredged canal in the area can be restored to estuarine marsh, increasing the resilience of inland infrastructure along Highway 90 by preventing development and mitigating further coastal wetland losses. Connecting the walking trails at The Marsh Overlook and the 12 Oaks Coastal Preserve with a pedestrian bridge will serve as a flagship project for wetland protection and public use in an increasingly urban environment.
- 10. Project Goals/Objectives
- Acquire parcels #61160004.010 (1.14 ac.) and #61160004.000 (1.38 ac.) to further protect coastal wetlands in the area through conservation. Restore the dredged canal to estuarine marsh. Siltation of the project site has raised the elevation of the canal to make it nonnavigable at low tides. Construct a pedestrian bridge with educational signage over the dredged canal to connect LTMCP's Marsh Overlook and MDMR's 12 Oaks walking trails.
- 11. Which of the following authorized uses set forth in the GOMESA Act does this project fall under?
- (A) Projects and activities for the purpose of coastal protection, including conservation, coastal restoration, hurricane protection, and infrastructure directly affected by coastal wetlands losses
- Yes: Acquire 2.52 acres of coastal wetlands for conservation and coastal protection of inland infrastructure along Highway 90 in Ocean Springs, MS. Additionally, restore approximately 2 additional acres of estuarine marsh that has been dredged for a canal.
- (B) Mitigation of damage to fish, wildlife, or natural resources.
- Yes: Restoration of the dredged canal to an estuarine marsh will serve to mitgate damage to fish and wildlife through habitat creation. Additionally, siltation within the canal has degraded the natural resources of the area and negatively impacted the natural vegetation and bethnic stucture.
- (C) Implementation of a federally-approved marine, coastal, or conservation management plan.
- Yes: EPA 319 Watershed Implementation Plan Old Fort Bayou: Section 3 Management and Monitoring Plans. Specifically named in this plan is conservation of riparian buffers and marsh restoration in the Old Fort Bayou (OFB) watershed as well as promotion of recreation and ecotourism though the OFB Blueway. Both the LTMCP and MDMR property is highlighted as points of interest on the OFB Blueway. In addition both the US Fish and Wildlife Service and US Army Corps of Engineers support wetlands protection, restoration, enhancement, and management through their "No Net Loss" of wetlands policy. They both specifically point to wetlands education and public outreach as integral in achieving "No Net Loss".
- (D) Mitigation of the impact of Outer Continental Shelf activities through funding of onshore infrastructure projects.
- Yes: Mitigation of the impact of Outer Continental Shelf activities occurs through economic and environmental means. Economically, this project will serve to increase ecotourism directly at both the 12 Oaks coastal preserve as well as a mixed use condo/restaurant venue adjacent to the trail system. This expands to other local businesses within the area. Additionally, direct restoration of the wetlands improves community resiliency to the local businesses and homeowners inland along Highway 90 in Ocean Springs, MS.
- 12. Project Timetable/Milestones
- Year 1: Begin permitting and design to finalize connector bridge design, develop request for bids on construction. Year 2: Request construction bids, finalize permitting, begin construction and marsh restoration. Year 3: Finalize restoration and construction. Install education signage. Host a public opening event with project partners.
- 13. Project Timing
- Short-term
- 14. Current status of architectural/engineering plans & specifications for this project (if applicable):
- Other feasibility study performed by MSU Gulf Coast Community Design Studio Funds Budgeted
- 15. In what way does this project meet the goals and objectives of the Department of Marine Resources, which includes enhancing, protecting and conserving the marine interest of Mississippi for present and future generations?
- The acquistions of this project will be transferred to the Mississippi Secretary of State to be managed by the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources as part of the 12 Oaks Coastal Preserves. Alternatively, the Land Trust could potentially retain ownership of the property if the partnership deemed that necessary. This expands on MDMR's mission to enhance, protect, and conserve marine interest of Mississippi for present and future generations. In addition, the bridge will connect the 12 Oaks Coastal Preserves property to the Marsh Overlook property held by the Land Trust. Along the existing trails, educational signage will be installed to highlight the need to balance coastal wetlands protections with economic development, while protecting this unique habitat.
- 16. Estimated Years To Completion
- 3
- 17. Estimated Completion Date
- 6/30/2028
- Budget:
- Salaries,Wages, Fringe
- $305,307
- Travel
- $2,000
- Architecture & Engineering
- $65,000
- Legal
- $30,000
- Consulting
- $80,000
- Construction
- $650,000
- Site Work
- $500,000
- Equipment
- $0
- Indirects
- $163,230
- Other
- $2,000,000
- Total
- $3,795,537
- Internal Project Number
- 1320
- Application Submission Date
- 07/01/2024
- Fiscal Year
- 2026
- Project Status
- Application Status
- Submitted
- Meets Criteria
- Internal Notes: