GOMESA Application Details
- Internal Project Number
- 271390
- 1. Title of Project
- Water Quality Improvement Through Inexpensive Nature Based Solutions
- 2. Location of Project
- Mississippi Gulf Coast (Beaches)
- 3. Requesting Organization
- MSU/NGI
- 4a. Name
- Paul Mickle
- 4b. Position
- 4c. Phone Number
- 2282342636
- 4d. Fax Number
- 4e. Address Line 1
- 1021 Balch Blvd.
- 4e. Address Line 2
- 4e. City, State Zip
- Stennis Space Ctr., MS
- 4f. Email
- pmickle@ngi.msstate.edu
- 5. FundingRequested
- $491,309
- Awarded Amount:
- 6. Other State or Federal Funding Sources
- Yes
- 7a. Amount of Additional Funds
- $995,787
- 7b. Source of Additional Funds
- EPA (Not funded yet, still waiting on if NGI/MSU is selected)
- 8. Total Project Funds Amount
- $1,487,096
- 9. Project Description/Overview
- The Mississippi Sound’s beaches and have historically struggled with water quality issues since their creation in the mid-1900’s. Currently, storm water on the coastal beaches in Mississippi is managed through a series of more than 200 outfalls which extend from the seawall to the tidal zone. These anthropogenic beaches are a large economic driver for the State and important to the communities and visitors. We propose an approach that can be greatly enhance the beaches making them more aesthetic, provide increased water quality, and create storm protection by implementing a nature-based solution. Previous efforts with similar goals were attempted within an outfall challenge by the State in which new designs were created to improve water quality through the structures themselves. These designs where overly complex with unrealistic construction and maintenance costs. We propose taking a bottom-up approach in which marsh grasses are reintroduced in specific designs adjacent and on the periphery of the existing outfall structures. This strategy will provide beneficial services such as nutrient uptake, sediment stability, wave energy reduction and more. The beaches remain intact and undisturbed, but the outfalls are made more aesthetic and functional toward water quality. More natural looking beaches with increased water quality and reduced beach closures will be a tremendous economic benefit for the Coastal cities, counties and the State.
- 10. Project Goals/Objectives
- 1. Determine nutrient update services from nature-based solutions design on end of beach outfalls. 2. Identify accurate per unit costs (per outfall). 3. Provide a water quality analysis to quantify water quality improvements from scaling up number of outfalls. 4. Deliver a full report identifying methodologies, quantifying benefits and estimating costs of large scale program.
- 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: Adding these nature based nutrient reduction buffers on our existing beach outfalls will provide: 1. Increased water quality 2. Increased storm protection 3. Increased seafood production 4. Increased recreational fishing opportunities 5. Increased commercial fishing opportunities 6. Decreased beach maintenance costs 7. Increased aesthetics for tourism
- (B) Mitigation of damage to fish, wildlife, or natural resources.
- Yes: Adding these nature based nutrient reduction buffers on our existing beach outfalls will provide: 1. Establish productive habitats for fish, wildlife, or natural resources (Much higher production than mud and sand bottoms) 2. Return some portion of anthropogenic beaches to historical marsh 3. Increase water quality by nutrient uptake reducing low oxygen events along Mississippi beaches
- (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.
- Yes: Return some portion of anthropogenic beaches to historical marsh
- 12. Project Timetable/Milestones
- 1. Initiate Pilot Project (Sept. 2026) 2. Install nature based designs and monitor (Jan. 2027 - Jan. 2029) 3. Model, analyze nutrient reduction capabilities and costs (Jan. 2029-June 2029)
- 13. Project Timing
- Short-term
- 14. Current status of architectural/engineering plans & specifications for this project (if applicable):
- In Progress 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?
- This project will deliver a scalable and cost effective nutrient reduction program that will reduce beach closures and enhance tourism on the MS Gulf Coast. The Counties and State will benefit greatly from this effort for generations.
- 16. Estimated Years To Completion
- 3
- 17. Estimated Completion Date
- 9/30/2029
- Budget:
- Salaries,Wages, Fringe
- $208,233
- Travel
- $3,500
- Architecture & Engineering
- $5,500
- Legal
- Consulting
- Construction
- $72,000
- Site Work
- Equipment
- $3,000
- Indirects
- $199,076
- Other
- Total
- $491,309
- Application Submission Date
- 02/10/2026
- Fiscal Year
- 2027
- Project Status
- Application Status
- Submitted
- Meets Criteria
- Internal Notes:
- Attachments:
- https://gomesa.dmr.ms.gov/attachments/GOMESA_1390_Attachments.pdf
- Hyperlink:
- Attachments