GOMESA Application Details
- Internal Project Number
- 271353
- 1. Title of Project
- Graveline Bayou Inlet Restoration Study
- 2. Location of Project
- The Inlet (mouth) of Graveline Bayou, directly adjacent to the Mississippi Sound in Gautier, MS
- 3. Requesting Organization
- Jackson County Board of Supervisors
- 4a. Name
- Barry Cumbest
- 4b. Position
- 4c. Phone Number
- 228-769-3403
- 4d. Fax Number
- 4e. Address Line 1
- 2915 Canty Street P.O. Box 998
- 4e. Address Line 2
- 4e. City, State Zip
- Pascagoula, Mississippi
- 4f. Email
- Barry_Cumbest@co.jackson.ms.us
- 5. FundingRequested
- $750,000
- Awarded Amount:
- 6. Other State or Federal Funding Sources
- Yes
- 7a. Amount of Additional Funds
- $100,000
- 7b. Source of Additional Funds
- Jackson County
- 8. Total Project Funds Amount
- $850,000
- 9. Project Description/Overview
- The Graveline Bayou Inlet Restoration Study involves modeling, engineering design and permitting necessary for restoring the western shoreline of the Graveline Bayou Inlet. The intent of this study is to make the inlet more resilient to natural eroding forces and replenish the lost coastal ecosystems in and adjacent to the Graveline Bayou Inlet. Over the years, the inlet width has increased due to the loss of marsh grass from the effects of tropical weather events and normal wave/current/tidal hydraulic forces. The widening of the inlet has decreased the inlet’s ability to self-scour, which in turn makes the depth of the inlet shallower. Due to this, the frequency of dredging has had to increase in order to maintain adequate depths for navigation. The modeling, design and permits needed to restore the Graveline Bayou Inlet will ultimately help reduce the frequency of channel dredging and the replenishment of lost ecosystems. The reduced requirement for future dredging will also support marine traffic/water access to hundreds of residences and a public boat launch facility within Graveline Bay/Bayou. The Partners associated with this project are the Jackson County Board of Supervisors, the City of Gautier, and the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources. The implementation of this study will ultimately benefit the local residents of Jackson County.
- 10. Project Goals/Objectives
- The tasks involved with this study and design project include reviewing existing data on hydraulic effects, determining the best inlet channel alignment to utilize the inlet’s self-scouring ability to minimize the siltation in the inlet channel that is effecting boat navigation, and complete construction documents and permitting. These tasks will result in the goals and objectives established for the project as listed below: Project Goals: 1. Evaluate various shoreline stabilization methods. 2. Design/develop construction documents. 3. Obtain required permits. Project Objectives: 1. Increased shoreline resiliency. 2. Expand/Improve coastal ecosystems. 3. Decrease dredging frequency.
- 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: The effects of tropical weather events and normal wave/current/tidal hydraulic forces are eroding the Graveline Bayou Inlet. In turn, this is causing a loss of the shoreline wetlands adjacent to and along the inlet and bayou. The eroding of the shoreline is causing a widening of the inlet and has decreased the inlet’s ability to self-scour. This erosion is subsequently causing the depth of the inlet and channel to become shallower, and the frequency of dredging has had to increase in order to maintain adequate depths for navigation. The study and engineering design will facilitate the replenishment of the lost coastal ecosystem and make the inlet more resilient to natural forces.
- (B) Mitigation of damage to fish, wildlife, or natural resources.
- Yes: Additionally, the effects of tropical weather events and normal wave/current/tidal hydraulic forces causing the Graveline Bayou Inlet to widen is also causing the loss of wetlands marsh grass in the inlet and bayou area. The study and engineering design will facilitate the replenishment of the lost coastal ecosystem and make the inlet more resilient to natural forces.
- (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
- 1. Request Funding: September 2025 2. Funding Award: April 2026 3. Select Engineering Firm: June 2026 4. Begin Design & Permitting: July/August 2026 5. Design Complete: March 2027 6. Permit Approvals: July 2027
- 13. Project Timing
- Short-term
- 14. Current status of architectural/engineering plans & specifications for this project (if applicable):
- Other Planning 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?
- This Project meets the goals and objectives of the Department of Marine Resources and the authorized uses of the GOMESA Act funds as it facilitates coastal protection, including conservation, coastal restoration, and hurricane protection. Additionally, this project provides for the mitigation of damage to fish, wildlife, or natural resources from future events that may affect the loss of coastal wetlands. The specific areas this project will target are stated again below: The effects of tropical weather events and normal wave/current/tidal hydraulic forces are eroding the Graveline Bayou Inlet, and in turn, has caused a loss of the shoreline wetlands adjacent to and along the inlet and bayou. The eroding of the shoreline is causing a widening of the inlet and has decreased the inlet’s ability to self-scour. This erosion is subsequently causing the depth of the inlet and channel to become shallower, and the frequency of dredging has had to increase in order to maintain adequate depths for navigation. Additionally, the effects of tropical weather events and normal wave/current/tidal hydraulic forces causing the Graveline Bayou Inlet to widen is also causing the loss of wetlands marsh grass in the inlet and bayou area. The study and engineering design will facilitate the replenishment of the lost coastal ecosystem and make the inlet more resilient to natural forces.
- 16. Estimated Years To Completion
- 2
- 17. Estimated Completion Date
- 7/31/2027
- Budget:
- Salaries,Wages, Fringe
- Travel
- Architecture & Engineering
- $850,000
- Legal
- Consulting
- Construction
- Site Work
- Equipment
- Indirects
- Other
- Total
- $850,000
- Application Submission Date
- 09/16/2025
- Fiscal Year
- 2027
- Project Status
- Application Status
- Submitted
- Meets Criteria
- Internal Notes:
- Attachments:
- https://gomesa_internal/attachments/GOMESA_1353_COMPLETE.pdf
- Hyperlink:
- Attachments