GOMESA Application Details
- Internal Project Number
- 281430
- 1. Title of Project
- Jackson County Estuary Habitat Restoration - Beneficial Use Support Dredging Project
- 2. Location of Project
- Two dredge sites are located in Moss Point, MS, and five dredge sites are located in Gautier, MS. See #9 for location details. *
- 3. Requesting Organization
- Jackson County Board of Supervisors
- 4a. Name
- Ennit Morris, President of the Jackson County Board of Supervisors
- 4b. Position
- 4c. Phone Number
- (228) 769-3170
- 4d. Fax Number
- 4e. Address Line 1
- 2915 Canty Street
- 4e. Address Line 2
- P.O. Box 998
- 4e. City, State Zip
- Pascagoula, MS 39568-0998
- 4f. Email
- ennit_morris@co.jackson.ms.us
- 5. FundingRequested
- $3,000,000
- Awarded Amount:
- 6. Other State or Federal Funding Sources
- No
- 7a. Amount of Additional Funds
- 7b. Source of Additional Funds
- 8. Total Project Funds Amount
- $3,268,000
- 9. Project Description/Overview
- Much of Jackson County's population lies in proximity to coastal, riverine, and estuarine waters. Because the local way of life and economy is deeply tied to the coastline, the maintenance of waterways and coastal bayous through dredging is nearly as essential as roadway maintenance. As storm frequencies and intensities continue to increase, the dredging program in Jackson County has become a continuous, year-round endeavor. The Jackson County Board of Supervisors is requesting GOMESA grant funds to support the dredging efforts of seven dredge sites across Jackson County: Lite Bayou, Mary Walker Bayou, Powell's Point Canal, Sioux Bayou, Rosemont Drive Bayou, McInnis Bayou, and Brickyard Bayou. The Jackson County Board of Supervisors is currently working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)–Mobile District, Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (MDMR), and other regulatory agencies to establish a permittee responsible mitigation (PRM) plan, which aims to provide the required mitigation for unavoidable impacts to submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) and marsh grass as a result of dredging. Six of the seven dredge sites in this project will benefit from the Jackson County Estuary Habitat Restoration – Containment Berm Project, which received approval for State GOMESA funding in the 2026 legislative session. Sediment dredged from the identified project sites may be beneficially used as fill material behind the containment berm, helping raise the water bottom and enhance estuarine habitat conditions to be suitable for the SAV to flourish and spread. The seventh dredge site, McInnis Bayou, has no SAV's present within its dredge limits and therefore the required permits have been granted, and it is ready for construction. *Continuation from #2 - Location of Project: Two dredge sites are located in Moss Point, MS: Brickyard Bayou (30.4563982, -88.5512408) & McInnis Bayou (30.4099680, -88.5671938) and five dredge sites are located in Gautier, MS: Lite Bayou (30.4217001, -88.6213636), Mary Walker Bayou (30.4084135, -88.6533008), Powell's Point Canal (30.4613208, -88.6213777), Sioux Bayou (30.4182138, -88.6432718), and Rosemont Drive (30.4481524, -88.6270733).
- 10. Project Goals/Objectives
- Project Goals 1. Dredge waterway bottoms to adequate navigation depths for recreational and commercial vessel access. Project Objectives 1. Provide safe navigation to waterfront property owners and the public in general to restore the waterways to adequate depths. 2. Protect and enhance the recreational access of coastal and offshore waters (fishing, boating, swimming). 3. Protect and enhance economic development through a navigable marine environment. 4. Protect and enhance hurricane preparedness, recovery, and post-storm hydrologic/coastal restoration efforts.
- 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 County has many public access areas and waterfront property navigational routes that become buried with sediment that is deposited during storm events and everyday tidal and current movements. These local bayous serve as paths for recreation and industry-specific transportation, as well as marine evacuation routes for residents and emergency services during and after hurricane events. Further, by reducing built up sediment in local bayous, hydraulic efficiency is increased which reduces drainage and flooding problems. This project will support the County's effort to maintain these essential waterway routes.
- (B) Mitigation of damage to fish, wildlife, or 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
- • Request Funding Sept 2026 • Permit Approvals Nov 2026 • Complete Design Dec 2026 • Funding Award Apr 2027 • Begin Construction May 2027 • Completion Dec 2027
- 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?
- Jackson County has many established neighborhoods containing waterfront properties with very restricted navigation access due to shallow water depths, as well as many public access areas such as boat launches, docks, and piers that become buried with sediment that is suspended and deposited during storm events. Not only do these local bayous serve as paths for recreation and industry-specific transportation, they serve as marine evacuation routes for businesses, residents, and emergency services during and after hurricane events. Further, by reducing built up sediment in local bayous, hydraulic efficiency is increased which reduces drainage and flooding problems. For these reasons, dredging is a continuous, year-round necessity in Jackson County. Jackson County has a strong interest in conserving and supporting Mississippi's marine resources, which support both its economy, way of life, and cultural heritage. Jackson County prioritizes safe access to Mississippi's marine resources for its residents and visitors. As the populations and industries continue to grow in size and complexity, the need for dredging maintenance will only increase. The construction of this project will allow the Jackson County Board of Supervisors to more efficiently maintain the County's waterways.
- 16. Estimated Years To Completion
- 1
- 17. Estimated Completion Date
- 12/31/2027
- Budget:
- Salaries,Wages, Fringe
- Travel
- Architecture & Engineering
- $268,000
- Legal
- Consulting
- Construction
- $3,000,000
- Site Work
- Equipment
- Indirects
- Other
- Total
- $3,268,000
- Application Submission Date
- 09/22/2026
- Fiscal Year
- 2028
- Project Status
- Application Status
- Submitted
- Meets Criteria
- Internal Notes:
- Attachments:
- https://gomesa.dmr.ms.gov/attachments/GOMESA_1430_Attachment.pdf
- Hyperlink:
- Attachments