GA Coastal Management Program's Coastal Incentive Grants

• Improvements to existing urban runoff control structures in coastal watersheds
• Projects that address stormwater quantity and quality improvements utilizing BMPs recommended by the Georgia Coastal Stormwater Supplement

Location: Brunswick, GA

Applicant: City of Brunswick

The primary goal of this work was to create a tailored plan that assessed the feasibility and site applicability of different stormwater green infrastructure practices using geospatial data, local knowledge, and expertise of project team personnel. This plan highlights green infrastructure opportunities as a resource for local decision makers. The project team field-verified and assessed each of the locations for potential green infrastructure opportunities. The field assessment included investigation of topography, drainage pathways, stormwater infrastructure, impervious surfaces, and opportunities for preservation of natural green infrastructure features.

This plan positions the City of Brunswick to continue proactively planning for stormwater management in their site design process, provides conceptual designs to garner community support, and supplies fundamental information for future implementation of green infrastructure strategies. This document outlines green infrastructure opportunities and includes site layouts for Green Infrastructure (GI) / Low Impact Development (LID) practices at 28 sites that were sized per the Coastal Stormwater Supplement guidance. Estimates of construction costs and annual runoff reduction were included for each site. Further engineering design and funding resources are necessary for implementation.

In addition to the Rethinking Runoff Plan itself, the project team held an online workshop targeting stormwater managers to present an overview of the plan and the strategy behind the development of this stormwater green infrastructure planning tool. The project team also presented a project summary at a City Commission meeting to raise awareness of this planning tool, as well as help the local leaders, staff, and the public visualize potential projects in Brunswick and gain better understanding of the benefits of GI/LID infrastructure in their community. Lastly, the results and information prepared as part of this project enabled the city to review and update their GI/LID Program, a Best Management Practice in their Stormwater Management Program.

 View the completed Rethinking Runoff Plan (PDF). 

Location: Coastal GA Unpaved Roads

Applicant: University of Georgia

 Georgia’s Statewide Non-point Source Management Plan (PDF)  includes a goal developed and recommended by the Coastal Non-point Source Advisory Committee to address best management practices (BMPs) for unpaved coastal roads to reduce sediment runoff. This project involved 1) conducting a review of BMPs for unpaved roads used in coastal Georgia and the southeastern coastal region; 2) developing case studies that highlight identified BMPs; and 3) determining which of those BMPs not currently used in Georgia would be most applicable by leveraging the knowledge created through existing partnerships, collaborations, and relationships. This project also sought to identify BMPs that increase resiliency of unpaved roads in addition to reducing runoff.

In order to best understand how unpaved coastal roads are currently maintained, what best management practices are most successful, and how those practices might reduce sediment runoff and improve resiliency, a review of practices used in coastal Georgia and other coastal southeastern states was conducted. Though information is limited and the examples of BMPs in other states were essentially non-existent, the project leaders learned how Georgia’s coastal counties are addressing the maintenance needs of their unpaved roads, identified resources that might be beneficial, and developed ideas to engage stakeholders so that they might exchange ideas and learn from each other.

A best practices document was developed to be used by coastal counties to support improving maintenance and resiliency of unpaved roads. However, because so little information was available from other southeastern coastal states, four examples of how coastal Georgia counties have used 319(h) grant funds to support improving unpaved roads to reduce sedimentation of local waterways have been included. These grant reports provide information on techniques used to reduce flooded roadways and improve conditions as well as reduce overall maintenance needs. Monitoring the effectiveness of these BMPs may help other communities determine how to best address challenges of unpaved roads in their communities. There are two examples of techniques used in other states – one in Alabama and one in Florida – that are applicable in Georgia if managers choose to adopt the practices. The final project product provides best management practices as recommended and described by practitioners on the Georgia coast. Dirt road managers likely all have favorite techniques to maintain roads in ways that minimize complaints from drivers and negative impacts on local waterways from sedimentation.

• Maintaining or improving the quality of wetlands
• Conservation and restoration of wetland habitats
• Improved understanding of ocean and wetland habitats and functions

Location: Coastal Georgia

Applicant: Georgia Southern University

Successful management of important estuarine resources along the Georgia coast relies on sustained, cost-effective monitoring. The primary motivation of this study was development of a novel survey technique – environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling aimed at characterizing not only the distribution of white shrimp, but environmental determinants of these distributions. In the last decade, eDNA surveys have emerged as a powerful, cost-effective alternative to traditional capture surveys for assessing the distributions of organisms in freshwater and marine environments. Aquatic organisms continually release DNA molecules into the water column via sloughed cells, mucus, gametes, and fecal matter, which can be captured by filtration of water samples. Species-specific molecular primers can then be used to identify what species of organisms were present in water based on the presence of their genetic material. Per-survey costs associated with this technique tend to be significantly lower than traditional field surveys.

One of the main issues still facing eDNA methods is that they are very good at detecting species, but it is still unclear how eDNA concentration in water samples relates to the density or biomass of organisms. To use eDNA as an effective monitoring tool, it is important to understand how eDNA amplification is related to species biomass. Thus, the main goal of this study was to ground-truth eDNA methods to white shrimp abundance and biomass using a series of lab and field surveys. The specific objectives were to (1) determine the relationship between eDNA concentration and shrimp abundance and biomass in controlled lab settings and (2) leverage ongoing field sampling to measure eDNA in the field and relate it to quantity of shrimp collected during the surveys.

Location: Skidaway River

Applicant: Savannah State University

This project was a two-year study evaluating the use of an alternative biodegradable hardscape for oyster reef habitat restoration applications in Georgia estuaries. The eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) is a keystone species that provides many important services to coastal ecosystems. Oyster populations were decimated during the early 1900s due to extensive overharvest fueled by a profitable oyster canning industry. Oyster reef restoration has become an effective method of regenerating lost oyster populations and the associated ecosystem services. The success of oyster reef restoration projects relies upon several factors, one of which is the restoration substrate’s ability to facilitate recruitment and growth of oysters. Bagged oyster shell is a widely used substrate that has successfully restored oyster habitat in many states throughout the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. However, this restoration approach has been demonstrated to be less effective in areas that experience high sedimentation rates and soft substrates, such as is the case in Georgia. The limited success of the previously constructed bagged shell reefs along with the increasing scarcity of recycled oyster shell has generated the need to identify alternative restoration substrates. Researchers in North Carolina have developed an alternative biodegradable hardscape broadly used for creating and restoring oyster habitat. This alternative hardscape (hereafter referred to by its trade name Oyster Catcher™) is a composite of plant fiber cloth infused with mineral-based binders that are wet formed into a wide variety of modular shapes and sizes. The structures can be used to create the foundation of restored habitat and promote the growth of healthy oyster reefs. Additionally, this material is biodegradable and will fade away over time unlike plastic mesh bags and wooden pallets which remain integrated in the matrix of the oyster reef habitat following restoration.

The overarching objective of this project was to evaluate the viability of using Oyster Catcher™ material to successfully restore oyster habitat in Georgia estuaries. To accomplish this, researchers used a variety of traditional and innovative sampling tools to monitor and compare the ecological functions and services associated with reefs restored using the traditional bagged oyster shell approach with reefs constructed using Oyster Catcher™ material. The main goals of this study were to: 1) Quantify the trajectory of oyster reef growth and development following construction for traditional (bagged shell) and novel (Oyster Catcher™) oyster habitat restoration applications; 2) Quantify the response of the nekton community (fish and crustaceans) to reefs constructed using the two restoration applications; 3) Evaluate how each restoration application functioned in protecting adjacent shoreline habitat (e.g., marsh edge); and 4) Provide multiple outreach opportunities to educate the general public on the value of restoring critical estuarine habitats and alternative approaches for accomplishing these initiatives.

Mean oyster densities were significantly greater at the Oyster Catcher reefs compared to the bag shell and natural reefs. Mean oyster length was greatest at the natural reef site. On average, mean oyster length was greater at the oyster catcher reefs compared to the bag shell reefs. Lastly, mean rugosity was greatest at the oyster catcher reefs. Rugosity at the bag shell reefs was slightly greater than the natural reefs.

Location: Tybee Island Dunes

Applicant: City of Tybee Island

This study evaluated the most effective revegetation methods for dune restoration based on sand accumulation and stability and developed citizen science monitoring protocols based on the results. Volunteers were trained to implement these protocols and provided valuable feedback that was used to refine the protocols in the first year of monitoring. Four quarterly monitoring events were conducted, with additional monitoring events within Summer and Fall quarters to determine a) replicability of measurements and b) effects of Hurricane Irma on sand movement. Educational outreach was provided through training events, through public stakeholder meetings and through Tybee’s web based  Coastal Resilience portal  that links to  Georgia Southern University’s coastal dune restoration project results .

Location: Satilla River Marshes

Applicant: University of Georgia

Georgia’s salt marshes are a first line of defense protecting communities from rising sea levels and damage associated with increasingly frequent and intense storms. Coastal protection is a valuable ecosystem service supported by marshes that lies, in part, in their ability to build vertical elevation and preserve buried soil organic matter. Yet, ever increasing rates of sea-level rise threaten to outpace vertical accretion in salt marshes, putting their long-term sustainability in doubt. This research project supported Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GA DNR) Coastal Resource Division’s (CRD) coastal assessment and planning actions by measuring salt marsh vertical accretion rates, characterizing soil carbon dynamics, and developing soil carbon valuation estimates.

Vertical accretion rates were measured along elevation and salinity gradients in tidal wetlands lining the Satilla River. A total of eight soil cores were collected from the estuarine (n=4) and mesohaline (n=4) marshes. Pressure transducers and conductivity sensors were deployed in the marshes. These sensors recorded data on tidal flooding and surface water salinity which were used to characterize the sites and provide context for the soil core data. Data on plant and invertebrate species composition and abundances were collected at the estuarine, mesohaline, and freshwater sites. Soil porewater samples were also collected and analyzed. In combination, the surface water level, pore water chemistry, and plant and animal community data are important for understanding how the marshes currently function and for interpreting the soil core data. Soil carbon decomposition rates were calculated. The resulting vertical accretion and decomposition rates can be used to inform both the marsh equilibrium model (MEM) and the Sea Level Affecting Marshes Model (SLAMM), which are used by CRD to assess vulnerabilities of marshes. The sources and composition of marsh soil carbon were characterized in order to understand processes contributing to marsh sustainability and to develop ‘blue carbon’ valuation estimates. The results were communicated to multiple audiences to support coastal planning, advance salt marsh science, and improve public awareness and understanding of the ecosystem service value of Georgia’s salt marshes.

• Improve understanding of coastal hazards and potential impacts
• Develop, implement or incorporate adaptation and mitigation strategies/plans or policies
• Strengthen local capacity to implement FEMA’s Community Rating System

Location: State of Georgia

Applicant: University of Georgia

Much of Georgia’s shoreline lies just a few feet above mean sea level, putting barrier islands and coastal communities at risk for more frequent flooding, intensified storm surges, and saltwater intrusion into low-lying areas. While much remains to be discovered, scientists and organizations have projected potential impacts from sea level rise to natural resources, infrastructure and citizens along the Georgia coast. According to a 2012 report, Tracking the Effects of Sea Level Rise in Georgia’s Coastal Communities (Campbell et al. 2012), projections indicate that almost 420 square miles of the Georgia coast will be flooded due to sea level rise by 2110.

UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant partner with coastal communities to help them prepare for hazards such as sea level rise, hurricanes, flooding, and storm surge. A series of short videos was produced to document the impact of sea level rise and coastal flooding on the resiliency of coastal communities.  The Faces of Resiliency Video Project  helps municipal officials, county managers, and resiliency practitioners as well as the general public understand the effects of sea level rise trends through the experiences of citizens who are meeting these challenges. By increasing the resiliency literacy of these groups, the project will increase awareness of issues related to sea level rise, storm surge and flooding, as well as highlight solutions that Georgia’s coastal communities are implementing. The project also gives voice to neighbors and community champions throughout coastal Georgia who have been impacted by flooding and sea level rise, and, perhaps most importantly, it illustrates steps that can be taken to improve safety and resilience.

The video series presents interviews with coastal residents and experts who shared their stories with the goals of 1) communicating best practices for adapting to sea level rise, storm surge and high tide flooding and for mitigating risks in Georgia’s coastal communities and 2) informing the general public and decision makers who don’t experience the impacts of flooding events firsthand.

Location: Chatham County

Applicant: Chatham County - Savannah Metropolitan Planning Commission (MPC)

Chatham County and the surrounding communities are in need of specific strategies to plan for and react to rising seas along the Georgia coast. Previous and ongoing local efforts have highlighted the need to leverage partnerships, networks, and resources to aid in resilience planning, action, and communication with vulnerable communities. In response, the MPC partnered with the City of Savannah, Georgia Sea Grant, Georgia Department of Natural Resources Coastal Resources Division (GA DNR CRD), University of Georgia Carl Vinson Institute of Government (CVIOG), and others to develop the  Coastal Empire Resilience Network (CERN) . The network engages regional community partners, municipal staff, and policymakers to coordinate strategies to address the physical, economic, and social challenges the Chatham County region faces due to a changing climate. CERN works to align regional strategies, share resources, and advocate for collective action to improve the resilience of our coastal region.

MPC staff, together with partners at the Carl Vincent Institute of Government (CVIOG) at the University of Georgia, established a curriculum design team made up of stakeholders from the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA), the Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG), elected officials, practitioners, and subject matter experts from the coastal region. A workshop was held with design team members to identify and conceptualize the learning objectives and potential agenda for a robust CERN course curriculum. CVIOG faculty used input received at the design team workshop to develop a draft curriculum for the coastal resilience course.

• Strengthen local capacity to implement sustainable approaches in planning and development
• Increase understanding of costs and benefits associated with sustainable approaches to coastal development
• Identification and preservation of unique community qualities, historical and cultural features, including public education of the above

Location: State of Georgia

Applicant: University of Georgia

Mail and online surveys were used to collect background and sociodemographic information on for-hire recreational (charter) fishing captains/operators, information on characteristics of charter fishing operations, vessel characteristics, trip-level expenditure and revenue, and information on operators’ level of satisfaction with and concerns about the charter fishing sector, as well as their opinions on potential actions. Survey data on expenditure and revenue were combined with Impact Analysis for Planning (IMPLAN) data to estimate the economic impact of the charter fishing sector on the state’s economy.

Data collection lasted for 6 months, January 2022 through June 2022, and a total of 60 (out of 198) licensed charter fishing operators responded to the survey. Survey results show that the average responding charter fishing operator is 50 years old and has 12 years of charter fishing experience. A plurality (16) of operators opined that they engage in charter fishing business so people can enjoy fishing. Most of the operators reported a decrease in revenue and profit, perhaps due to increased cost of operating charter fishing vessels, during COVID-19 pandemic. Most (77%) captains operate charter fishing business as sole proprietors. These operators (82%) own the charter fishing vessels, operate on part-time basis (64%), do not typically hire full-time crew, and provide additional fishing services such as fish cleaning and photography.

Focusing on licensed resident charter fishing operators, economic impact metrics generated from IMPLAN’s Input-Output model indicate that the charter fishing sector’s 2021 gross output contribution to Georgia’s economy is about $53.3 (between $36 and $70.5) million. The sector supports about 667 full time and part-time jobs. These estimates are slightly higher if licensed residents and non-resident charter fishing operators are combined.