GCJV NAWCA FY 2021 Standard Grant Projects

Tracts

Project Name: Coastal Marsh and Hydrologic Enhancement Project

Location (County): LA-TERREBONNE, LA-ST. MARY

Grantee Organization: DUCKS UNLIMITED

Project Officer: Cassidy Lejeune

Grantee Email: clejeune@ducks.org

Project Country: US

Partner Name: DUCKS UNLIMITED, HARRY BOURG CORPORATION, ENERGY TRANSFER, LA COASTAL PROTECTION AND RESORATION AUTHORITY

Date approved: XX/XX/XXXX

Grant Award Amount: $1,000,000.00

Proposed Match Amount: $2,274,264.00

Project Description: Coastal wetland loss in Louisiana is a significant issue that negatively impacts natural resources, local communities, Louisiana’s culture, coastal infrastructure, industry, commerce, and the economy. Louisiana is losing its coastal wetlands at approximately 17 square miles per year, the highest coastal wetland loss rate in the United States. According to Louisiana’s Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA), Louisiana has lost over 1.2 million acres of coastal wetlands since the 1930s and could lose an additional 1.4 million acres over the next 50 years without restoration. The project areas of this proposal are located within the Terrebonne and Atchafalaya Basins of coastal Louisiana. Since 1932, the Terrebonne Basin has lost 20% of its wetlands and is expected to lose an additional 130,000 acres in the next 20 years without restoration action. The Atchafalaya Basin is unique as it has the only growing delta system. However, wetland gains are limited as natural processes and human activities have reduced the effectiveness of river flow and sediment to create new wetlands. The proposed conservation work will enhance/restore 2,290 acres of coastal wetlands in the Terrebonne Basin and enhance river flows and sediment delivery in the Atchafalaya Basin to nourish 150 acres of freshwater deltaic marsh. Overall, these projects will help offset Louisiana’s dramatic wetland loss and provide quality habitat for numerous bird species and other wetland dependent wildlife.

Tracts

Project Name: Coastal Prairies Strategic Habitat Initiative II

Location (County): TX-AUSTIN, TX-BRAZORIA, TX-CALHOUN, TX-CHAMBERS, TX-COLORADO, TX-FORT BEND, TX-GALVESTON, TX-HARRIS, TX-JACKSON, TX-JEFFERSON, TX-LAVACA, TX-LIBERTY, TX-MATAGORDA, TX-VICTORIA, TX-WALLER, TX-WHARTON

Grantee Organization: KATY PRAIRIE CONSERVANCY

Project Officer: Mary Anne Piacentini

Grantee Email: maryanne@katyprairie.org

Project Country: US

Partner Name: KATY PRAIRIE CONSERVANCY, KATY PRAIRIE CONSERVANCY MCP, DEAN HALEWYN, KB NOTES, INC., TEXAS R.I.C.E.

Date approved: 09/22/2021

Grant Award Amount: $2,000,000.00

Proposed Match Amount: $4,145,380.00

Project Description: This project will permanently protect 3,041 acres of land in Jackson and Brazoria Counties through the placement of conservation easements. Katy Prairie Conservancy (KPC) will use NAWCA and donated funds to acquire a conservation easement on a 2,433-acre ranch in Jackson County along with protecting two donated conservation easements in Jackson (560 acres) and Brazoria Counties (358 acres). One tract will be partially purchased and partially donated to KPC, and includes 2,155(278) acres of mixed agricultural wetlands (flooded harvested rice), wetland, prairie, and woodland habitat land. A second tract will be fully donated to KPC and includes 528(32) acres of mixed wetland, prairie, woodland, riverine, and riparian habitat on the Lavaca River and Chicolete Creek. Another tract, which will also be fully donated to KPC, includes 358 acres of agricultural wetlands (flooded harvested rice) in Brazoria County.

Tracts

Project Name: Coastal Texas IV

Location (County): TX-ARANSAS, TX-AUSTIN, TX-BEE, TX-BRAZORIA, TX-BROOKS, TX-CALHOUN, TX-CAMERON, TX-CHAMBERS, TX-COLORADO, TX-FORT BEND, TX-GALVESTON, TX-GOLIAD, TX-HARRIS, TX-HIDALGO, TX-JACKSON, TX-JEFFERSON, TX-KENEDY, TX-KLEBERG, TX-LAVACA, TX-LIBERTY, TX-MATAGORDA, TX-NUECES, TX-ORANGE, TX-REFUGIO, TX-SAN PATRICIO, TX-STARR, TX-VICTORIA, TX-WALLER, TX-WHARTON, TX-WILLACY

Grantee Organization: DUCKS UNLIMITED

Project Officer: Todd Merindino

Grantee Email: tmerindino@ducks.org

Project Country: US

Partner Name: DUCKS UNLIMITED, CITY OF TEXAS CITY, NATIONAL FISH AND WILDLIFE FOUNDATION, TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE FOUNDATION

Date approved: 04/21/2021

Grant Award Amount: $1,300,000.00

Proposed Match Amount: $2,625,850.00

Project Description: This project will enhance 2,798 acres of decreasing wetland types and other critical wetlands and coastal habitats within the Texas portion of the Gulf Coast Joint Venture (GCJV). Activities will improve and sustain critical habitats on multiple project sites that support foraging, roosting/resting, pair bonding, nesting, rearing of young, and molting for multiple species of wetland-dependent birds. Lands benefiting include federal and state lands that provide public access for outdoor recreation activities. The project will also promote enhancement and management of wetlands on private lands for the benefit for waterfowl and other wetland birds. Habitat diversity and geography of the Texas Coast makes it an important area to wintering, migrating, and resident birds associated with wetlands. This region is the winter destination of 52% of the Central Flyway waterfowl population, hosting ducks and geese from major breeding locations in North America. Project activities will restore or enhance habitats for 11 priority waterfowl species and 12 additional waterfowl species common to the Texas Coast. Project sites affected by this project provide crucial year-round habitat for resident ducks, including Mottled Duck, Black-bellied Whistling Duck and Fulvous Whistling Duck. Wintering and migrating waterfowl will use all tracts for foraging, resting, and establishing pair bonds. Resident ducks will use these project sites for these activities, plus nesting, brood-rearing and molting.

Tracts

Project Name: Continental Marsh Enhancement

Location (County): LA-ORLEANS, LA-TERREBONNE

Grantee Organization: DUCKS UNLIMITED

Project Officer: Cassidy Lejeune

Grantee Email: clejeune@ducks.org

Project Country: US

Partner Name: DUCKS UNLIMITED, COASTAL PROTECTION & RESTORATION AUTHORITY OF LOUISIANA, ST. MARY LEVEE DISTRICT, TENNESSEE GAS PIPELINE COMPANY, LLC, CONTINENTAL LAND & FUR CO.

Date approved: 09/21/2021

Grant Award Amount: $1,000,000.00

Proposed Match Amount: $2,458,469.00

Project Description: This project is located within the Terrebonne and Pontchartrain Basins of coastal Louisiana, which have high wetland loss rates according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Since 1932, the Terrebonne Basin has lost approximately 20% of its wetlands, and the Pontchartrain Basin has lost approximately 17% of its wetlands. The primary objective of this project is the restoration of coastal habitats in these basins, which will help offset this dramatic coastal wetland loss. In total, 5,280 acres of coastal wetlands will be enhanced or restored with benefits to priority migratory birds. Hydrology improvements (breach repair and canal plugs) in Terrebonne Parish will enhance 4,680 acres of freshwater marsh and benefit many waterfowl, waterbirds, secretive marsh birds, and other migratory birds that regularly use coastal freshwater habitats in the area. The marsh restoration in this project will result in the construction and/or nourishment of 600 acres of brackish marsh at varied elevations (high marsh, low marsh, mudflats, shallow water, and shrub ridges). This diversity in elevation will be of great benefit to shorebirds, colonial seabirds, wading birds, and passerines. The restored marshes will provide quality foraging, loafing, and nesting habitat for many bird species.

Tracts

Project Name: Jefferson County Wetland Improvements IV

Location (County): TX-JEFFERSON

Grantee Organization: DUCKS UNLIMITED

Project Officer: Todd Merindino

Grantee Email: tmerindino@ducks.org

Project Country: US

Partner Name: DUCKS UNLIMITED,TEXAS GENERAL LAND OFFICE, TEXAS PARKS & WILDLIFE FOUNDATION

Date approved: 04/21/2021

Grant Award Amount: $1,000,000.00

Proposed Match Amount: $3,000,000.00

Project Description: This project will enhance 6,512 acres of decreasing wetland types and other critical wetlands and coastal habitats in the Chenier Plain Initiative Area of the Gulf Coast Joint Venture (GCJV). These habitats are critical for migrating, wintering and resident bird populations on the western Gulf Coast of Mexico. The activities proposed herein will improve and sustain multiple habitats that support foraging, roosting/resting, pair bonding, nesting, rearing of young, and molting for multiple species of wetland-dependent birds. Wetland habitats and associated critical uplands conserved and enhanced by proposed activities will benefit 13 waterbirds, 13 shorebirds, and 2 landbirds identified as either high or moderate species of concern at a continental/national level and/or regional level, including Black Rail, King Rail, Least Bittern, Green Heron, Seaside Sparrow, and Northern Harrier.

Tracts

Project Name: Matagorda Peninsula Coastal Management Area

Location (County): TX-MATAGORDA

Grantee Organization: TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT

Project Officer: Stan David

Grantee Email: Stan.David@tpwd.texas.gov

Project Country: US

Partner Name: KNOBLACH FAMILY FOUNDATION, NATIONAL FISH AND WILDLIFE FOUNDATION, GALVESTON BAY FOUNDATION (MCP), RAUCH-LEFF FAMILY, TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE FOUNDATION

Date approved: XX/XX/XXXX

Grant Award Amount: $2,000,000.00

Proposed Match Amount: $4,046,348.00

Project Description: The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is seeking funding from NAWCA to help purchase fee title interest in coastal marshes and barrier island habitat on Matagorda Peninsula. This project complements an effort on the part of the Department and others to permanently protect important habitat in the Matagorda Bay system for a large number of species, including Federal and State endangered species and species of conservation concern, as well as waterfowl and Nearctic-Neotropical migratory birds. This wetland ecosystem is of national and international significance. Matagorda Peninsula is one of the most pristine barrier island segments on the Texas Coast and these acquisitions will help complete the conservation of the barrier island habitat of the peninsula.

Tracts

Project Name: Raccourci Bay Marsh Enhancement

Location (County): LA-LAFOURCHE, LA-ST. BERNARD, LA-TERREBONNE

Grantee Organization: DUCKS UNLIMITED

Project Officer: Cassidy Lejeune

Grantee Email: clejeune@ducks.org

Project Country: US

Partner Name: CHEVRON USA, INC, COASTAL PROTECTION & RESTORATION AUTHORITY OF LOUISIANA, CONOCO PHILLIPS, DUCKS UNLIMITED, LAFOURCHE PARISH GOVERNMENT

Date approved: 04/21/2021

Grant Award Amount: $2,000,000.00

Proposed Match Amount: $4,609,866.00

Project Description: In total, 4,000 acres of coastal wetlands in Louisiana will be enhanced with benefits to priority migratory birds within National Priority Wetlands Areas of NAWMP, Partners in Flight, U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan, and North American Waterbird Conservation Plan. This project will directly address marsh conservation needs identified in the GCJV's MRCWIA Plan. The construction of earthen terraces in shallow, open water areas will enhance 1,185 acres of coastal marsh. The project will convert open water into a variety of habitats including shallow water ponds, SAV, emergent marsh, mudflats and algal beds that will provide quality foraging, loafing, and nesting habitats for waterfowl, shorebirds, waterbirds, and other migratory bird species. Restoration will create and nourish 2,815 acres of brackish marsh habitat. The marsh creation project will create diverse habitat conditions over a variety of elevations including mudflats, SAV, and emergent marsh. The actions incorporated in this project will provide quality habitat for numerous species of waterbirds, fisheries, and other wetland-dependent wildlife. All project areas are located within National Priority Wetlands Areas and include migration and wintering habitat for five high-priority waterfowl species, five priority waterfowl species, and ten other waterfowl species. Also, at least 29 NAWCA priority species of wetland-associated birds in the Gulf Coast Prairie (Bird Conservation Region 37) will be positively affected. More than 50 species of NAWCA Priority Bird species affected by the Gulf oil spill may also be positively affected by the proposed project. Additionally, a few federally listed species (Piping Plover, Least Tern, Red Knot, and Black Rail) and several State species of concern (Brown Pelican, Peregrine Falcon, Bald Eagle, Whooping Crane, Caspian Tern, and more) will benefit.

Tracts

Project Name: Southeast Louisiana Marsh Enhancement

Location (County): LA-JEFFERSON, LA-ORLEANS, LA-TERREBONNE

Grantee Organization: DUCKS UNLIMITED

Project Officer: Cassidy Lejeune

Grantee Email: clejeune@ducks.org

Project Country: US

Partner Name: COASTAL PROTECTION & RESTORATION AUTHORITY OF LOUISIANA, DUCKS UNLIMITED, DULARGE HUNTING CLUB, INC, APACHE LOUISIANA MATERIALS, LLC, TERREBONNE PARISH CONSOLIDATED GOVERNMENT

Date approved: 09/22/2021

Grant Award Amount: $1,000,000.00

Proposed Match Amount: $2,377,494.00

Project Description: The project areas of this project are located within the Terrebonne, Barataria, and Pontchartrain Basins of coastal Louisiana, which have some of the highest wetland loss rates. The proposed conservation work will enhance or restore 4,885 acres of coastal wetlands and help offset Louisiana's dramatic wetland loss within these basins while also providing quality habitat for numerous bird species and other wetland dependent wildlife.

Tracts

Project Name: Southeast Louisiana Marsh Enhancement II

Location (County): TX-CALHOUN, TX-JEFFERSON

Grantee Organization: DUCKS UNLIMITED

Project Officer: Cassidy Lejeune

Grantee Email: clejeune@ducks.org

Project Country: US

Partner Name: DUCKS UNLIMITED, CONOCOPHILLIPS, LAFOURCHE PARISH GOVERNMENT, CHEVRON, COASTAL PROTECTION AND RESTORATION AUTHORITY

Date approved: XX/XX/XXXX

Grant Award Amount: $2,000,000.00

Proposed Match Amount: $4,425,085.00

Project Description: Coastal wetland loss in Louisiana is a significant issue that negatively impacts natural resources, local communities, Louisiana’s culture, coastal infrastructure, industry, commerce, and the economy. Louisiana is losing its coastal wetlands at approximately 17 square miles per year, the highest coastal wetland loss rate in the United States. According to Louisiana’s Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA), Louisiana has lost over 1.2 million acres of coastal wetlands since the 1930s and could lose an additional 1.4 million acres over the next 50 years without restoration. The project areas of this proposal are located within the Barataria and Pontchartrain Basins of coastal Louisiana which have some of the highest wetland loss rates. The Barataria Basin has lost approximately 17% of its wetland and continues to lose wetlands at an average loss of 7,100 acres per year. The Pontchartrain Basin has lost 17% of its wetlands (131,000 acres) and an additional 23% may be lost in the next 20 years without action. The proposed conservation work will enhance/restore 4,980 acres of coastal wetlands and help offset Louisiana’s dramatic wetland loss within these basins and provide quality habitat for numerous bird species and other wetland dependent wildlife.

Tracts

Project Name: Texas Mid-Coast NWR Additions

Location (County): TX-BRAZORIA, TX-MATAGORDA, TX-WHARTON

Grantee Organization: U.S. FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE

Project Officer: Jennifer Sanchez

Grantee Email: jennifer_sanchez@fws.gov

Project Country: US

Partner Name: DEEPWATER HORIZON NRDA TEXAS TRUSTEE IMPLEMENTATION GROUP, FRIENDS OF BRAZORIA WILDLIFE REFUGES, GALVESTON BAY FOUNDATION, KNOBLOCH FAMILY FOUNDATION, TEXAS CONSERVATION PARTNERS, LLC

Date approved: 09/22/2021

Grant Award Amount: $2,000,000.00

Proposed Match Amount: $4,010,000.00

Project Description: This project complements a larger effort on the part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and others to permanently protect at least 70,000 acres within this internationally-significant wetland ecosystem. The five tracts to be protected under this project would be very significant wetland additions of high quality habitat. These coastal marshes and mature bottomland forests are prime habitat for waterfowl, songbirds, and other wildlife. Many of these species as outlined in this project are priority species for protection under current management plans and programs. Specifically, under this project the Service will use grant funds to purchase three tracts totaling 401 acres of habitat. One tract will be added to adjacent refuge land and contributes to a corridor of refuge land on the Brazos River of almost eight miles. Two tracts will be additions to already established units of the San Bernard NWR and provide old growth wetland forests to these units adding habitat for waterfowl and migratory songbirds.