GOMESA Application Details
- Internal Project Number
- 1. Title of Project
- Mid-Breton Sound & Bonnet Carre Response with WSSC
- 2. Location of Project
- Mississippi Sound
- 3. Requesting Organization
- Mississippi Department of Marine Resources
- 4a. Name
- GeorgeRamseur
- 4b. Position
- 4c. Phone Number
- 228-523-4129
- 4d. Fax Number
- 4e. Address Line 1
- 1141 Bayview Avenue
- 4e. Address Line 2
- 4e. City, State Zip
- Biloxi, MS 39530
- 4f. Email
- george.ramseur@dmr.ms.gov
- 5. FundingRequested
- $874,240
- Awarded Amount:
- $874,240
- 6. Other State or Federal Funding Sources
- No
- 7a. Amount of Additional Funds
- 7b. Source of Additional Funds
- 8. Total Project Funds Amount
- $874,240
- 9. Project Description/Overview
- This proposal will deliver strategic hydrodynamic and ecological tools for Mississippi to regain and maintain the resource abundance it has enjoyed for over 200 years. The WSSC will coordinate existing information across Mississippi’s universities and agencies to establish the specific historic and anticipated water quality variability data needed to protect Mississippi’s resources. This will be accomplished by linking and enhancing existing hydrodynamic and ecological modeling platforms as well as expanding data networks. The WSSC is already engaged in addressing Mississippi’s concerns about Louisiana’s proposed Mid-Breton Sediment Diversion and the Bonnet Carré Spillway. Funding of this proposal will expand current capabilities to allow the development of habitat suitability indices (HSIs) for oysters and brown shrimp specific to the Western Sound which will then drive a comprehensive hydrodynamic model capable of assessing the potential of future restoration projects and providing resource managers with resources to better prioritize restoration in the state. Science and engineering approaches developed through this effort will not yield a coast that looks like it did 200 years ago, but it will give us specific direction toward recovering the ecological services that we remember.
- 10. Project Goals/Objectives
- Scope of Work –Fortunately, there are three Mississippi created spatial hydrodynamic models already developed through the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality BP restoration effort (Figures 1&2). Additionally, ecosystem-based models will inform managers of the biological impacts from potential water quality changes. Because these models are completed and ready to use, existing data and newly acquired field data can be analyzed to inform us about BCS operation ecological impacts, Mid-Breton Sound Sediment Diversion project impacts, and Pearl River influences on oysters and brown shrimp in a very short time. Within the first two years, a suite of scenarios involving the opening and closing of the proposed Mid-Breton Sound structure and the existing BCS structure will be investigated and completed looking at the impacts on the HSI’s of both species. Additionally, outputs of these efforts may propose alternate opening procedures to lessen ecological impacts while still allowing sediment services and flooding prevention.
- 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: This project will provide specific, strategic scientific support for coastal conservation and restoration efforts that are targeted to mitigate for damage to fish, wildlife and natural resources.
- (B) Mitigation of damage to fish, wildlife, or natural resources.
- Yes: This project will provide specific, strategic scientific support for coastal conservation and restoration efforts that are targeted to mitigate for damage to fish, wildlife and natural resources.
- (C) Implementation of a federally-approved marine, coastal, or conservation management plan.
- (D) Mitigation of the impact of Outer Continental Shelf activities through funding of onshore infrastructure projects.
- 12. Project Timetable/Milestones
- 13. Project Timing
- Short-term
- 14. Current status of architectural/engineering plans & specifications for this project (if applicable):
- Completed Funds Not 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?
- 16. Estimated Years To Completion
- 3
- 17. Estimated Completion Date
- 6/30/2025
- Budget:
- Salaries,Wages, Fringe
- $88,740
- Travel
- $5,500
- Architecture & Engineering
- Legal
- Consulting
- $85,000
- Construction
- Site Work
- Equipment
- Indirects
- Other
- $695,000
- Total
- $874,240
- Application Submission Date
- 01/18/2022
- Fiscal Year
- 2023
- Project Status
- Awarded
- Application Status
- Accepted
- Meets Criteria
- Yes
- Internal Notes:
- Project is a collaborative effort with Mississippi State University.
- Attachments:
- Hyperlink:
- Attachments