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Mike’s Island Community Restoration Project, EPA GMPO Grant Number: MX9785903

Ecological Restoration Plan

The restoration plan outlined below follows the format recommended in Guidelines for Developing and Managing Ecological Restoration Projects (Clewell et.al., 2000). Each guideline is numbered and presented in boldface type.

1. Identify the project site location and its boundaries.
The project site is known as Mike’s Island and is located in southwestern Mississippi approximately 26 km (16 miles) inland from the Gulf of Mexico. It occupies an area of western Hancock County along the eastern banks of the Pearl River in Township 7 South, Ranges 16 and 17 West and Township 8 South, Ranges 16 and 17 West. It covers about 1,123 ha (2,775 acres) immediately north of the confluence of Mike’s River with the Pearl River. Mike’s River forms a portion of the southeastern boundary of the project site and over eight km (five miles) of the Pearl River delineates the western boundary. The landscape is comprised of bottomland hardwood forests, cypress swamps, oxbow lakes and mesic uplands. Some abandoned sand and gravel mine pits located in the northeastern portion of the site are now open-water aquatic habitats. The nearest sizeable municipality is Picayune, which lies 16 km (10 miles) north of the project site along State Highway 11. Figure 1 shows the general location of the project site and Figure 2 is an aerial photograph taken in July 2002 with drawn boundaries.

2. Identify ownership.
Mike’s Island is owned by The Nature Conservancy of Mississippi (6400 Lakeover Road, Suite C, Jackson, Mississippi 39213), a non-governmental, non-profit organization. The Nature Conservancy (TNC) purchased the property from the Canal Land and Development Company in July 2003. George Ramseur, Director of Restoration and Management at TNC’s field office in Ocean Springs (1709 Government Street, Ocean Springs, Mississippi 39564, tel. 228-872-8452), will serve as project leader. The site was acquired as part of TNC’s commitment to preserve biodiversity on earth by preserving land, water and natural communities. It will be a cornerstone project in continuing efforts to develop a conservation corridor along the Pearl River that links with the Hancock County Marshes, a Gulf Ecological Management Site (GEMS).

3. Identify the need for restoration.
Forests that cover the project site have suffered extensive ecological damage due to historical land uses. Most notable is the repeated logging of the property, occurring as recently as the late 1990’s. Damage caused by logging consists of deforestation, deep rutting and compaction of the soil from equipment maneuvering, and substantial collateral damage to unharvested trees in the form of bark injury and broken limbs from which their recovery is questionable. Other areas of natural hardwood forest had been converted to commercial forests of densely row-planted pines. Some of these were recently clear-cut and no reforestation was attempted. Additionally, at least 21 small parcels of land have been cleared and planted to forage grasses as wildlife food plots for the benefit of deer hunters.

The property was also used for the extraction of sand and gravel. An open-cast mining operation conducted along Turtleskin Creek destroyed the riparian communities that existed on the surface and left large voids in the substrate that are now filled with water. No reclamation activities were undertaken and the land was left to revegetate unassisted.

Timber removal along with the sand and gravel mining operations have extremely degraded or destroyed the bottomland hardwood forests and swamps that existed historically on this tract. These plant communities would normally provide essential watershed functions related to floodwater storage, groundwater flow moderation, sediment removal, nutrient cycling and water purification. The diversity of trees, shrubs and herbaceous species once provided unique habitats in which a wide variety of mammals, reptiles, amphibians and fish could forage and reproduce. Vegetation along the river and stream tributaries helped stabilize shorelines, prevented soil erosion and filtered out pollutants. Streamside vegetation also provided shade to maintain water temperature and reduce algae growth that might displace desirable aquatic flora and fauna. Many of these essential biological functions are now corrupted or entirely absent.

Removal of timber and operations of the sand and gravel mines on Mike’s Island have also laid bare large areas of soil, exposing the adjacent rivers and streams to increased sediment deposition. Indiscriminate logging of the site completely removed trees up to the waters’ edge in some areas, leaving little or no vegetated buffer zone. This practice can exacerbate soil erosion and sedimentation, increase turbidity and elevate water temperatures due to lack of shade. Chronic anthropogenic disturbances have altered the hydrology of the area through mining, ditching, draining, and heavy equipment movements. Access roads constructed for logging and hunting have interrupted surface runoff and further interfered with the natural hydrology of the project site.

Destruction of the characteristic bottomland hardwood and swamp vegetation on Mike’s Island has led to an invasion of Chinese tallowtree (Sapium sebiferum). This exotic tree species is highly invasive and considered a severe threat because of its ability to completely alter floral and faunal communities. Tallowtree can modify rainfall interception and surface flows as well as potentially alter evapotranspiration rates and water-table levels. Higher concentrations and accelerated decay rates of tallowtree leaves can increase Ca, N, K, Mg, and P levels in the soil, altering nutrient distributions that would normally be found under native Gulf Coast vegetation (Gordon, 1998). Tannins produced by this plant can inhibit the feeding patterns of isopod and amphipod invertebrates. The leaf litter of Chinese tallow has been shown to alter rates of nutrient cycling in Texas, promoting populations of the non-native isopod Annadillium vulgare while depressing native invertebrate populations (Cameron and Lapoint, 1978; Cameron and Spencer, 1989). Higher levels of organic matter accumulation can also lead to eutrophication of affected waterways. This extremely aggressive exotic tree has managed to establish itself widely across the site. It has displaced a significant portion of the remnant native vegetation, in some cases forming extensive, dense monocultures.

The reaches of the Pearl River adjoining the Mike’s Island Restoration Project area are specifically identified as critical habitat for the threatened Gulf sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi) (Figure 3). A section of the river directly downstream of the project site is a known aggregation area for the sturgeon. The US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) along with the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission (GSMFC) has outlined a recovery plan for these anadromous fish that includes protection of individuals, populations and their habitats (USFWS and GSMFC, 1995). As noted in the plan, domestic and industrial effluent, rural and urban run-off, and inter- and intra-water diversions affect the clarity, pH, biological oxygen demand, nutrient and contaminant composition, temperature, sediment loads, and seasonal quantity of river waters. Changes in total dissolved solids, suspended solids, turbidity, siltation, pH, temperature and sediment resulting from point and non-point sources can alter water quality and may negatively affect Gulf sturgeon habitat.

The Gulf sturgeon recovery plan, under Section 2.4, calls for the restoration and enhancement of river and stream habitats, particularly benthic habitat, within the range of Gulf sturgeon. Furthermore, Section 2.2.3 of the plan requires the identification, protection, and/or acquisition of appropriate land or aquatic habitats on an ecosystem scale. Habitat components that provide essential life requirements for the sturgeon should be viewed as part of, and dependent on, a fully functioning ecosystem. An immediate benefit of tract acquisition was the pre-emption of further sand and gravel mine expansion, eliminating future sediment discharge to the river and other watercourses from exposed land surfaces. Restoration objectives will target the removal of existing tallowtree populations and their replacement with indigenous bottomland hardwood and swamp vegetation along with the recovery of historical hydrology of the area to the extent possible in order to improve water quality in the adjacent stream channels.

In light of the drastic alterations of the vegetative communities and modifications to the hydrologic regime that have occurred on the site, restoration activities are intended to:

4. Identify the kind of ecosystem to be restored and the type of restoration project.
The ecosystem to be restored can be generically termed riverine forest. This forest consists of several mixed bottomland forest communities. By mixed is meant that the arboreal composition includes a variety of both hardwoods and conifers, the latter consisting largely of pine and cypress. By bottomland is meant lowland forests that include wetlands as well as adjacent mesic sites that approach but do not qualify as jurisdictional wetlands according to federal criteria. Canebrakes are included as components of bottomland hardwood forests and will be restored where appropriate.

The ecological goal of this restoration is to initiate and accelerate recovery in terms of:

Restoration is not intended to duplicate the ecosystem as it existed in the past. Instead, it is designed to return the ecosystem to its historic developmental trajectory and allow it to evolve in the same manner as it would have had it not been compromised. It will contain sufficient biotic and abiotic resources to continue its successional development without further assistance or subsidy, other than what may be needed to counteract the impacts of modern human culture. The restored ecosystem will sustain itself structurally and functionally. It will demonstrate resilience to normal ranges of environmental stress and disturbance. It will interact with contiguous ecosystems in terms of biotic and abiotic flows and respond to cultural influences. In this respect, it will be no different from any other intact and undisturbed ecosystem that is designated for preservation.

This intention for restoration acknowledges that ecosystems are dynamic, not static. Forests at Mike’s Island are subject to change from their own internal processes as well as to global warming and other climate change, sea-level rise, alterations of the surrounding landscape from land usage, colonization by exotic plant species, depredations by feral swine, demographic changes in wildlife populations caused by hunting or reductions thereof, increases in atmospheric nitrogen deposition, acid rain, and other causes. In short, the intention is to restore to the future and not to the past. Nonetheless, the fully restored forests should portray the grandeur of pristine forests that once clothed the region.

5. Identify restoration goals, if any, that pertain to social and cultural values.
The overriding social goal of restoration is to contribute to the environmental protection of the Pearl River ecosystem. This goal is accomplished concomitantly with the achievement of the ecological goal as described in Guideline #4. Mike’s Island will be incorporated in the Lower Pearl Partnership (LPP) as part of the existing conservation corridor that already includes the Hancock County Marshes, Louisiana Pearl River Wildlife Management Area, Mississippi Old River Wildlife Management Area and the Bogue Chitto National Wildlife Refuge (Figure 4). The LPP is sponsored by TNC, the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) and the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ). Established in November 2002, the partnership was designed to focus on conservation action at the community level in St. Tammany & Washington parishes in Louisiana and Pearl River and Hancock counties in Mississippi. Its primary goal is to preserve, protect and restore the ecological integrity of the Pearl River and its watershed.

The LPP is tasked with development of a Conservation Area Plan (CAP) for the Pearl River floodplain. It will identify, prioritize and map conservation actions and restoration needs within the floodplain. A primary objective of the LPP will be to identify public and private stakeholders and create partnership opportunities. The Mike’s Island Restoration Project is designed to provide an opportunity for broad-based community participation in the restoration process from plan development to removal of exotic invasive species and planting of native trees. It seeks to engage the public at the grass roots level to foster an appreciation of the ecological significance of the Pearl River ecosystem habitats, residents (both human and non-) and water quality. The project will furnish interested parties a chance to conduct ecological research, enjoy nature studies and advance environmental education. It will also be used to promote international goodwill and share restoration techniques with interested parties from around the globe.

A hunting and fishing club comprised of more than 70 families enjoys the many outdoor recreational amenities of the area through an historic lease arrangement. The site has traditionally been managed for game and hunters use the property during deer season. Many local residents also cherish it for the freshwater fishing opportunities provided by the abundant watercourses and the mine pit lakes. TNC intends to honor the existing lease and allow regulated hunting and fishing as a way of maintaining the local tradition and, by doing so, engendering the good will and active support of the local community and other stakeholders. Active game management will be phased out as wildlife food plots are restored to native forest. Passive game management will be accomplished through forest restoration, particularly by the intentional inter-planting of hard-mast species of trees that provide valuable food resources for wildlife. Representatives of TNC will be responsible for interfacing with the community to address their concerns on this and other matters.

6. Identify physical site conditions in need of repair.
Recurrent logging operations and associated road constructions in the project area has led to numerous alterations in the hydrologic regime. Several stream courses have been blocked with large logs and filled with dirt to allow for equipment movements across the site. Access roads with related ditches and culverts have intercepted surface water runoff, interfering with natural hydrology. Ditches that alter the hydrology or that contribute to erosion and sedimentation need to be filled or otherwise repaired in a manner that allows the recovery of natural surface runoff and water table elevations. Superfluous roads need to be removed and the substrate of their roadbeds loosened to facilitate reforestation. Some of these roads may be partially removed to allow ATV traffic only. Roads that are retained may require maintenance and their ditches and culverts cleaned, repaired, resized, or replaced in a manner that returns natural hydrology to the greatest practicable extent. Bridges may need repair or removal for the same reason and for safety. Hard-surfaced stream crossings of roads will be removed if they alter hydrology and replaced, if need be, with gravel or other, less obtrusive and more natural materials. Dams, weirs, or other water control structures will be removed if they are not absolutely needed.

Excessive rutting or compaction of the soil caused by heavy equipment maneuvering has also altered normal flows. These areas of disturbance will be identified and mapped. Land that has been scarred or severely rutted will be leveled, or filled if necessary, to existing surrounding elevations to re-instate normal surface flows. Compacted soils will be loosened to facilitate water retention capability and reforestation.

7. Identify stressors in need of regulation or re-initiation.
The riverine ecosystem is stressed by seasonal flooding from river overflow. Near-normal flooding already occurs. Hydrologic repairs that were mentioned in Guideline #6 will recover the natural hydroperiod wherever it may have been altered. Infrequent prescribed fires may be beneficial to maintain restored mixed pine-oak forests on soils with relatively rapid internal drainage; however, this will likely be decided on the basis of adaptive management, once the character of the restored forest is assessed. Fire will be one of the tools used to reduce the populations of tallowtree to more manageable levels. Restored canebrakes will also require infrequent fire, and fire may be useful for their creation where only small colonies presently exist. No other stressors are identifiable at this time.

8. Identify biotic interventions that are needed.
Mike’s Island supports relatively large populations of invasive and exotic plant species. These include, but are not limited to, Chinese tallowtree, cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica), Chinaberry (Melia azedarach), Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense) and Japanese climbing-fern (Lygodium japonicum). Historical anthropogenic disturbances have facilitated the introduction and establishment of these species in areas where canopy trees have been removed or there is sufficient light penetration. Such areas include roadsides, wildlife food plots and timbered sections. Additionally, natural disturbances have provided suitable habitat for these species on scoured banks, sandy point bars and levees along the river’s edge. Seeds and other propagules are easily transported along waterways from upstream and deposited on the property. Migrations of birds and other animals onto the site also serve as vectors for the spread of invasive plants. Herbicidal and mechanical treatments will be utilized initially to reduce populations of these species. Thereafter, fast-growing native trees will be planted densely to reduce light penetration and inhibit re-establishment. Other native shrubs, grasses or herbs may also be planted to compete with invasive species. Cleared areas such as food plots and roadbeds will be reforested where practical to curtail exotic species expansion. Multiple or combined treatments may be necessary in order to provide control of some invasive species and all will require continued monitoring to prevent future reinfestations.

As noted, Mike’s Island has been subjected to recurrent logging operations whose legacy is a variety of disturbed landscapes. Recently logged portions of the property are mostly treeless, recruiting dense thickets of blackberries (Rubus spp.), shrubs and vines. Many acres where canopy trees were removed earlier are now being populated by invasive plants such as tallowtree, which form dense monocultures on parts of the project site. Some areas of young forest that volunteered following this earlier logging are now grossly overrepresented by hardwoods composed of largely wind-dispersed trees, e.g. species of Acer, Carpinus and Liquidambar, which are of limited benefit to wildlife and are delaying succession of more desirable canopy species. A large area of commercial pine plantation still exists that will need to be removed. Additionally, hunting interests have cleared some small parcels of land and planted them as wildlife food plots to attract game. These areas may require mechanical or herbicidal treatments prior to their reforestation to reduce competitive herbs and brush.

Native trees will be planted to reforest recently harvested hardwood forests, former pine plantations, wildlife food plots, open fields, abandoned roads, areas where invasive species have been removed, and any other clearings. Additional native trees will be inter-planted in young forests that volunteered following earlier logging operations. Inter-planting will increase forest diversity and wildlife food values. Site preparation for inter-planting will include the removal of competitive saplings of over-abundant and less desirable species of native trees. Native volunteer tree seedlings as well as intentionally planted tree seedlings qualify as reforestation. Nearly all reforestation will be accomplished using bare-root seedlings, however, some direct seeding of acorns and other seeds may be supplemented.

More than eight km (five miles) of the Pearl River borders Mike’s Island. Gulf sturgeon are known to utilize the Pearl and Bogue Chitto Rivers. In fact, these rivers have been designated as critical habitat for this threatened species. This anadromous fish favors upper river reaches with hard bottom substrate, steep banks, and relatively high flows for its spawning grounds (Fox et.al., 2000); all of which are available in the waters of these rivers. A large, deep section of the Pearl River just south of the project site has been identified as a major aggregation area for these fish. Improving water quality along the reaches of the river adjacent to Mike’s Island through invasive species eradication and hydrologic improvements is an important component of project goals, along with protection of this critical habitat from further degradation or loss to development.

Swallow-tailed kites (Elanoides forficatus) have been sighted on the property and are numerous during migratory periods. These birds are listed in the Highest Overall Priority of concern category by Partners in Flight (Woodrey et.al., 1998). They prefer to nest in the tops of super emergent trees and their habitat includes pine fringes of floodplain and hardwood swamp forests, cypress swamp, freshwater marshes and tall trees edging sloughs and bayous (Meyer, 1995). These habitats currently exist in some form on Mike’s Island and restoration of bottomland hardwood swamp habitat is a primary objective of this project.

Mike’s Island is also home to the red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta), an invasive ant species that is fast becoming a global ecological problem with colonies reported in the United States, Puerto Rico, New Zealand and, most recently, Australia. S. invicta represents a serious threat to the integrity of many ecological communities, often causing decreases in the abundance and species richness of both native ants and other arthropods (Morrison, 2002). Imported fire ants have been implicated in decreased bird nest survival (Twedt et.al., 2001; Mueller et.al., 1999) and in the extinction of the Stock Island tree snail (Orthalicus reses reses) from its native range in the Florida Keys in 1992 (Forys, 2001). This invasive ant will be the object of a concerted eradication effort.

Feral swine (Sus scrofa) roam the forested corridors of the Pearl River system. It appears that the swine’s current impact on the project site is limited to only modest damage of the vegetation as they move across the site, unearthing palatable foods. However, should their numbers increase, a more intensive effort may need to be mounted to programmatically hunt the creatures to protect newly planted forests.

9. Identify landscape restrictions, present and future.
Mike’s Island is bounded on the west by the Pearl River. Across the river is the Louisiana Pearl River Wildlife Management Area. Mike’s River forms a portion of the southeastern border. The Stennis Space Center is located immediately east of the site and the project lies within the center’s expansive natural buffer zone. While not an island in the true sense of the word, the project is remote and mostly isolated from external interference, although sand and gravel mining is still being conducted near the northern portions. Additionally, the remains of old US Highway 11 runs east and west just a short distance north of Mike’s Island. The roadbed of this highway is much elevated above the surrounding floodplain and has likely altered the hydrologic regime of the entire area to some degree. However, the land area of the project site is large enough that this “island” is basically self-contained and is not nearly as dependent upon exchanges of organisms (mobile animals, etc.) and flows of materials (water, nutrients, energy bound in organic matter) as would be forests that were contiguous with a more highly urbanized landscape. Rural lands that are at most only little disturbed border those portions of the site that are contiguous. No landscape restrictions exist that would impede normal flows and exchanges. The large amount of land nearby that is protected and managed as wildlife habitat by the State of Louisiana and the Stennis Space Center assures that the rural character of the landscape will continue.

The US Navy local command is based at the Stennis Space Center. This unit conducts special operations training along the Pearl River and adjacent waterways near the project site. Their priority concern is to maintain security for those maneuvers, but they are willing to work with the project staff to assure that no damage occurs to the site or those working there. Their presence is not expected to have an adverse effect on the project and should, in fact, be most beneficial, as the US Navy have expressed interest in acquiring the land following restoration activities.

10. Identify project-funding sources.
Phase One of the Mike’s Island Restoration Project was the development of this community restoration plan. The local community, along with federal, state and local agencies, were invited to participate in workshops designed to solicit their input to the process. Initial baseline assessments of the site were a part of this phase. Funding for this portion of the project was provided by the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Gulf of Mexico Program (Appendix A). Phase Two will include initial restoration activities such as tallowtree eradication and hydrologic improvements conducted during the first year. This phase is funded through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Community-based Restoration Program along with in-kind match funding from TNC (Appendix B). Planning for long-term funding of restoration and management at Mike’s Island is currently being held in abeyance until the US Navy reaches a record of decision regarding its expansion of jungle warfare training on the lower Pearl River. Such decision is expected sometime in May 2004.

11. Identify labor sources and equipment needs.
An established “team” of in-house specialists and contractors working with TNC Ocean Springs Field Office currently manage six separate sites across southern Mississippi. These sites total more than 4,654 ha (11,500 acres) and are in various stages of restoration and/or conservation management. This team is experienced in restoration techniques and either owns or has access to required equipment. In addition, TNC will engage citizen-volunteers to conduct certain restoration tasks. The hunting club has already agreed to play a part in the restoration process by providing such volunteers and supplying certain equipment needs. Although volunteer labor is not essential to the project, TNC will engage volunteers as part of this program which is designed to foster an appreciation of the ecological significance of the Pearl River ecosystem through environmental education and stewardship.

12. Identify biotic resource needs.
Large quantities of native bare-root tree seedlings will be required to re-vegetate the project site after the exotic tallowtrees have been removed. The main concern will be to provide adequate numbers of seedlings of desired species when needed and that they represent appropriate genetic stock. There is no dearth of suppliers and TNC has already established reliable sources for tree seedlings that it uses on other restoration projects. The option also exists to have seeds collected from other TNC bottomland hardwood sites or elsewhere locally to assure proper genetic stock.

13. Identify the need for securing permits required by government agencies.
No work scheduled for the proposed restoration involves soil disturbance or other activities that would require wetland permits. Smoke permits for anticipated prescribed burn events would be obtained as required by the fire management plan as developed by the Fire Management Officer. However, should other unforeseen permitting needs arise, TNC enjoys the benefit of being able to seek advice from a number of state and federal agencies with which it has an ongoing dialogue.

14. Identify permit specifications, deed restrictions, and other legal constraints.
TNC is an international conservation organization whose 501C3 status obligates it to act in the public interest. Their mission is to preserve biodiversity on earth by preserving land, water and natural communities. Organization goals dictate high technical standards and “integrity beyond reproach”. The Pearl River was identified as a high priority site in the East Gulf Coastal Plain Ecoregion and Northern Gulf of Mexico Ecoregion by TNC’s Conservation by Design, the organization’s national strategic acquisition plan. Purchase of the Mike’s Island tract expands the existing conservation corridor along the Pearl River by 1,123 ha (2,775 acre). TNC hopes to eventually link the project site with the Hancock County Marshes, a Gulf Ecological Management Site located at the mouth of the river. No other permit specifications, deed restrictions or legal constraints exist.

15. Identify project duration.
Restoration tasks are expected to be complete within five years (end of 2009). Thereafter, some tasks may continue, but under the aegis of ecosystem management. In other words, the process of recovering the natural trajectory of the ecosystem is anticipated to take five years. At the end of that time, the ecosystem will be able to continue its development without the need for intervention from restorationists. However, ecosystem management will be necessary to counteract the continuing environmental impacts caused directly or indirectly by nature or human endeavor. If these impacts were not addressed, the property could experience ecological degradation to the point that restoration would again be needed.

For example, bird migrations and movement of water down the river channel are both natural processes; however, these migrations and movements serve as vectors for the dispersal of exotic invasive plant species’ seeds. These seeds can become established on the restoration site and form new infestations. To prevent recurring infection, periodic removal of new colonies of undesirable plants will be a regular task of ecosystem management. In short, restoration recovers the property from its degraded condition, and ecosystem management keeps it that way.

16. Identify strategies for long-term protection and management.
Planning for long-term protection and management at Mike’s Island is currently being held in abeyance until the US Navy reaches a record of decision regarding its expansion of jungle warfare training on the lower Pearl River. Such decision is expected sometime in May 2004. TNC enjoys an open dialogue with the Navy and is following the progress of their environmental impact study of the proposed expansion area. TNC anticipates developing and adopting a long-term protection and management strategy for the project site soon after the Navy’s decision is made public. TNC currently owns the land and any transfer of ownership would likely require that a long-term protection commitment such as a conservation easement or other similar instrument be executed.

17. Appoint a restoration ecologist who is responsible for technical aspects of restoration.
Andre F. Clewell and James P. Kelly of A.F. Clewell, Inc. have been designated by TNC as the restoration ecologists for Mike’s Island. Clewell and Kelly currently serve in that capacity for the Old Fort Bayou Mitigation Bank property near Ocean Springs, the Charles M. Deaton Nature Preserve and the Herman Murrah Preserve. Both of the later restoration projects are near Lucedale. They prepared the present document as the restoration plan for Mike’s Island. They will assure that the restoration plan is properly implemented and will inform TNC if corrections should become necessary for the attainment of restoration objectives and goals. They will conduct or oversee monitoring that is required by the plan. If monitoring demonstrates the need for adaptive management, they will so-inform TNC.

18. Appoint the restoration team.
Current members of the restoration team include George Ramseur (TNC) as Director of Restoration and Management, Andre Clewell and James Kelly (A. F. Clewell, Inc.) as Restoration Ecologists, Bob Wilken (TNC) as Fire Management Officer, and Matt Hicks (TNC) as Watershed Ecologist. Other restoration team members will be appointed as needed.

19. Prepare a budget to accommodate the completion of preliminary tasks.
A budget has been prepared and approved by TNC management.

20. Document existing project site conditions and describe the biota.
James Kelly and George Ramseur gathered the information on existing site conditions and other details critical to the development of this document and included herein. The project site can be characterized as bottomland hardwood forest, although the composition of the community has been altered significantly by anthropogenic disturbance and exotic plant invasion, as described above. More detailed information on species composition and structure will be gathered as part of the restoration process. Mapping with global positioning systems (GPS) technology is underway to refine locations of restoration areas, including hydrologic alterations, roadbed manipulations or closures, invasive species removal, pine plantation removal, reforestation, and inter-planting.

21. Document the project site history that led to the need for restoration.
Historical aerial photographs have been obtained from which aspects of site history can be ascertained, such as logging, mining and installation of wildlife food plots. These are available upon request. Anecdotal accounts of ecological degradation told by local individuals who have frequented the site over the years are also compelling. Written versions of these reports are being sought by TNC as part of the historical record.

22. Conduct pre-project monitoring as needed.
No pre-project monitoring is anticipated.

23. Gather baseline ecological information and conceptualize a reference ecosystem from it upon which the restoration will be modeled and evaluated.
The reference ecosystem upon which restoration will be modeled and later evaluated will consist largely of those relatively mature and undisturbed parcels of extant forest located in the Pearl River watershed. These parcels will be sampled by restoration team members and described. The written description will serve as the reference. To this description may be added information from other sources including (1) descriptions of other ecosystems within the riverine ecosystems of the Bogue Chitto and Lower Pearl Rivers, (2) fragmentary information that can be weaned from disturbed riverine forest from within this same region, (3) information from pertinent documents of this region, including maps, photographs, reports and (4) oral histories. Further quantitative baseline data will be gathered if deemed necessary to refine restoration objectives. This reference ecosystem description will be available under separate cover upon completion.

24. Gather pertinent autecological information for key species.
Autecological information for the key species present on Mike’s Island was readily available and has already been gathered.

25. Conduct investigations as needed to assess the effectiveness of restoration methods.
No investigations are needed prior to conducting restoration.

26. Decide if restoration goals are realistic or if they need modification.
Relying on TNC’s prior experience with bottomland hardwood restoration at the Deaton Preserve, and based on the expertise of the restoration ecologists assigned to Mike’s Island, the restoration goals outlined for the project are reasonable and achievable. Any modifications to this original restoration concept are expected to be minor adjustments in the technical approach that will not likely affect the anticipated restoration result.

27. Prepare a list of objectives designed to achieve restoration goals.
The eleven objectives of ecological restoration are as follows:

1. Reestablish appropriate native tree composition in forests that have suffered recent logging. Areas of recent logging will be identified and undergo site-preparation and reforestation in a manner that will return an appropriate forest community with respect to site conditions and reference ecosystem characteristics. Non-arboreal plant species will be included in forest restoration.

2. Increase characteristic tree-species diversity in forests that are recovering from earlier logging. Forests that are recovering from logging but have not yet attained approximately 50% of their expected maximum canopy height will be identified and undergo site preparation to reduce over-abundant, light-seeded species. They will be inter-planted with bare-root seedlings in a manner that increases tree-species diversity and the abundance of hard-mast species and other wildlife food species that are characteristic of the appropriate forest community for each site.

3. Remove or thin vines or other nuisance species that interfere with natural forest succession. Sites where vines are arresting the colonization and growth of desirable vegetation will be identified and the vines removed or thinned to the point that succession can progress unhampered. Inadequate representation or density of tree species will be rectified by inter-planting bare-root seedlings if necessary.

4. Remove and reconvert all commercial pine plantations to native forest. Existing pine plantations will be identified, clear-cut at ground level and removed where possible. Reforestation shall be performed as described for item (1) above.

5. Reconvert all wildlife food plots to native forest. Existing food plots will be identified and reforested as described for item (1) above.

6. Reconvert all other cleared lands to native forest, except where prohibited. Reforestation shall be performed as described for item (1) above.

7. Recover the abundance of hard-mast tree species for the benefit of wildlife. Hard-mast tree species, i.e., oak (Quercus spp.), hickory (Carya spp.) or any other species with large fruits which are not wind-dispersed and which contain one or few large seeds will be inter-planted in reforested areas where appropriate.

8. Extirpate, reduce or otherwise control exotic species. Areas of invasive exotic species will be identified and extirpated, or at least reduced to the point that they can be controlled. These species shall include, but not be limited to, Chinese tallowtree, cogongrass, Chinaberry, Chinese privet, and Japanese climbing-fern.

9. Repair hydrology. Unacceptable modifications to natural hydrology will be identified and removed or otherwise improved.

10. Repair rutting and other impacts to the soil by heavy equipment. Areas of unacceptable rutting and soil compaction will be identified and repaired.

11. Improve the quality of water discharging from the site. Exotic species removal, reestablishment of the native hardwood community and repairs to the hydrologic impacts on the site are expected to accomplish this objective.

28. Secure permits required by regulatory and zoning authorities.
No permits need to be secured.

29. Establish liaison with other interested governmental agencies.
Formal liaison exists with the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, both of who are funding partners. The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources and the LPP are both interested in the development of a conservation corridor along the Pearl River that includes the Mike’s Island project. Other federal and state agencies were invited to attend one or more of the planning workshops held under Phase One of this project (Appendix A). The project has also been publicized widely by TNC among personnel of many agencies.

30. Establish liaison with the public and publicize the project.
George Ramseur, the Director of Restoration and Management for TNC, has been in close contact with members of the Mike’s Island Hunting and Fishing Club since the project’s inception, keeping them apprised of any developments and soliciting their input and cooperation. A press release by TNC announced the acquisition and intended restoration of Mike’s Island to its members and the public on July 25, 2003. Several subsequent articles in newspapers along the Mississippi Gulf coast have also heralded the project and helped to publicize the planning workshops discussed below.

31. Arrange for public participation in project planning and implementation.
Considerable effort has been made by TNC personnel to ascertain local citizens’ sentiment concerning Mike’s Island and accommodate their interests in the planning process. As part of Phase One of the project (Appendix A), three restoration planning workshops were conducted at local gathering places; two at the Bay St. Louis Public Library and one at a community center near Picayune. The first workshop solicited comments from federal and state partners such as the EPA, NOAA, US Army Corps of Engineers, NASA, USFWS, MDEQ, LDEQ, MDMR and others. The second was hosted for Hancock County Board of Supervisors, the Chamber of Commerce, Greenways Project participants and other local interests. The third workshop invited the Mike’s Island Hunting and Fishing Club and other neighbors adjacent to the tract to voice their thoughts and opinions on the restoration project. Two additional meetings will be held to submit the final community restoration plan to project collaborators. The restoration action plans will be presented in a discussion format and collaborators asked to participate in conservation actions including community volunteer work days, corporate personnel volunteer work days and resource sharing with TNC and collaborators (Appendix A).

Phase Two of the Mike’s Island restoration project is specifically designed to involve the public (Appendix B). As its contribution to the in-kind match funding mentioned in Guideline #10, TNC has designated approximately 155 acres of the project site as a community restoration area (Figure 5). Interested parties will be invited to participate in the restoration process through hands-on activities such as biological inventories, exotic species removal, tree planting, water quality monitoring and.

The Master Naturalist Program, sponsored by the Mississippi State University Extension Service, has expressed interest in providing community volunteers to conduct various floral and faunal inventories at Mike’s Island. They also wish to include the site in their “Adopt-a-Stream” program and schedule field trips to the project. Additionally, the Mississippi Gulf Coast Audubon Society is eager to include the area in its ongoing annual Christmas bird count.

32. Install roads and other infrastructure needed to facilitate project implementation.
Further road installations are not required or desired. Many of the existing roads will be removed as part of the restoration process and maintenance of remaining access roads will be conducted as needed.

33. Engage and train personnel who will supervise and conduct project installation tasks.
The restoration team identified in Guideline #18 is well-trained and experienced with ecological restoration protocols. TNC already has contacts with a number of outside contractors who have worked on other projects and have been screened and their level of restoration experience verified. All personnel, whether contract or volunteer, are required to exhibit a level of knowledge and skill regarding restoration techniques. Everyone working on the site will be under the supervision of, and accountable to, a member of the restoration team.

34. Describe the interventions that will be implemented to attain each objective.

1. Reestablish appropriate native tree composition in forests that have suffered recent logging. Areas lacking overstory and taller mid-story trees, regardless of community type, shall be planted with bare-root seedlings such that at least 302 trees per acre (12-foot centers on the average) are present. The trees shall be characteristic of the desired native plant community that is being reestablished. Appropriate native tree species shall be those recognized by the US Army Corps of Engineers Mobile District for bottomland hardwood communities. No area with greater than a 12-foot radius shall be devoid of one or more trees, whether by natural regeneration or intentional planting. Areas with isolated or small groves of canopy and taller mid-story trees are excluded from this requirement. Exclusions shall pertain to land within 12 feet beyond the drip line of such trees. The drip line is defined as the outer edge of the tree crown.

At least three appropriate native shrub species characteristic of the intended plant community shall be present, either spontaneously and/or intentionally planted. Appropriate native shrub species shall be those recognized by the US Army Corps of Engineers Mobile District for bottomland hardwood communities. If intentionally planted, the plantings shall originate from seed, rootstocks, or whole plants that were obtained from elsewhere on the project site or from other TNC lands in the immediate vicinity. They shall be planted widely apart. No two plants of the same species may be planted within 12 feet of each other.

2. Increase characteristic tree-species diversity in forests that are recovering from earlier logging. Every area with a one-quarter mile (660 ft) radius shall have represented in it at least ten canopy tree species that are known for that plant community. Areas lacking such diversity will be inter-planted with bare-root seedlings as outlined in item (1) above. Over-abundant, light-seeded species will be thinned, if necessary, to accommodate the additional trees. The intent of this intervention is to assure tree species diversity. In other words, no area will be denied spontaneous colonization for lack of a seed source. Since plant communities frequently occupy irregularly shaped areas, sometimes of limited size, the intent of this standard will commonly require inventive application.

3. Remove or thin vines or other nuisance species that interfere with natural forest succession. Dense vines or other nuisance species that have interrupted natural forest succession will be removed or thinned (manually, mechanically, or chemically as warranted) and the area inter-planted if necessary to meet reforestation criteria as outlined in item (1) above.

4. Remove and reconvert all commercial pine plantations to native forest. Row-planted pines will be clear-cut, or a few may be spared for integration into the restoration of native forest as long as they do not appear to be a vestige of former plantation. Bedding and other intrusive evidences of site preparation shall be obliterated, unless their persistence is warranted and documented. Restoration of the tree canopy and its undergrowth shall be conducted as prescribed in item (5) below.

5. Reconvert all wildlife food plots to native forest. Active and fallow wildlife food plots shall be cleared of unwanted vegetation (manually, mechanically, or chemically as warranted) and intentionally planted with appropriate trees and shrubs as described in item (1) above.

6. Reconvert all other cleared lands to native forest, except where prohibited. All cleared lands shall be reforested, except those sites that are expressly pre-empted for another purpose. Reforestation shall comply with the criteria set forth in item (5) above.

7. Recover the abundance of hard-mast tree species for the benefit of wildlife. At least 20% of the trees that are intentionally planted, except for those communities dominated by trees of cypress (Taxodium spp.) and/or tupelo (Nyssa spp.), shall consist of hard-mast species, i.e., species of oak, hickory or any other species with large fruits which are not wind-dispersed and which contain one or few large seeds.

8. Extirpate or reduce the abundance of invasive or exotic species. Tallowtree is widely distributed on the project site and is represented in nearly every disturbed area. Existing stands will be located precisely using GPS technology. Physical removal and herbicidal treatments of Garlon4® or another herbicide will be employed to combat this highly invasive tree species in conjunction with dense plantings of native trees, shrubs and/or grasses as appropriate. Pre-treatment to reduce biomass, by mechanical manipulation and/or by fire, may also be used. Vehicle and equipment movements on the property will be monitored and all contractors will be required to keep equipment free and clear of any propagules. Using these methods with concerted and repeated attempts if necessary, tallowtree can be controlled and most populations greatly reduced or extirpated. However, this species is extremely aggressive and, even with diligent care, re-introduction is likely to occur not only from vehicle and equipment movements but also from bird migrations and upstream sources. Given this prospect, physical removal and herbicidal treatments of tallowtree will almost certainly become a regularly scheduled maintenance event.

Other woody exotics, including Chinaberry and Chinese privet, have invaded the project site mainly along the roadways and edges of wildlife food plots. Herbicidal treatments of Garlon4® will be utilized to control these species along with mechanical removal where necessary in order to maintain ecosystem integrity. Treated areas will be revegetated with native species. Extirpation of current populations is possible; however, these species are wide-ranging and produce copious amounts of seed that are bird-dispersed. Additional introductions are likely but their establishment can be curtailed with vigilant management.

Cogongrass has been identified on the project site. Its occurrence at the present time is extremely limited and should be easily managed. Application of glyphosate during the coming fall and diligence regarding equipment movements in and about the current infestations should be all that is needed to control these small areas. However, recurrent infestation is likely, as floodwaters are capable of loosening rafts of this invasive grass from streambanks and depositing them on the project site. As with all other invasives, constant site inspections and treatment of new infestations will be necessary.

Japanese climbing-fern is also present at Mike’s Island in modest amounts. It is a common naturalized exotic species that poses only moderate concern as its affect on native tree establishment and/or growth is minimal. Climbing-ferns grow in wooded areas wherever the overstory trees allow sufficient light penetration and where a duff layer of partially decomposed leaf litter is absent. These conditions exist in wildlife food plots, along old roadbeds and on the slopes of sloughs and draws that are scoured at flood stage. Since it is a fern that reproduces by wind-dispersed spores, its extirpation is unlikely. It will be treated herbicidally when practical, however, mechanical removal may be necessary in areas where its proximity to desirable native plants mitigates against general herbicidal control. Thereafter, fast-growing native trees will be planted densely to reduce light penetration and produce a duff layer as a control measure.

Other nuisance and exotic trees, shrubs, vines, herbs or grasses identified on the project site will be cut, herbicided or otherwise managed so that they do not interfere with normal native plant succession or ecosystem integrity.

9. Repair hydrology. Pre-disturbance hydrology will be recovered to the extent possible. Unneeded ditches and other manmade conveyances of surface runoff will be repaired. Some roads will be removed. Other roads will be modified in a manner that conveys less surface runoff.

10. Repair rutting and other impacts to the soil by heavy equipment. Ruts will be repaired. Soils will be disked, ripped, or otherwise treated wherever they were mechanically compacted to the point that they cannot recover promptly and support the establishment and normal growth of young trees.

11. Improve the quality of water discharging from the site. Exotic species removal, reestablishment of the native hardwood community and repairs to the hydrologic impacts on the site are expected to accomplish this objective.

35. State how much of the restoration can be accomplished passively.
Intervention will be restricted to that which is needed to return the ecosystem to its natural trajectory within five years. A mostly desirable mix of plant species currently populates some portions of the project site. However, intervention will be required in nearly all areas of the property in terms of exotic species removal, vine control and inter-planting to bolster species diversity and recover hard-mast species abundance lost to earlier logging. Only the deepest cypress swamp habitats appear free of any type of recent disturbance, and seedlings of Chinese tallowtree have been found even in these areas. In such cases, natural recovery of canopy species will be paramount with minor work necessary to preclude exotic or nuisance species establishment. In other areas, intentional restoration will involve limited episodic events of intensive activity. Otherwise, restoration will rely on natural processes.

36. Prepare performance standards and monitoring protocols to measure the attainment of each objective.

1. Reestablish appropriate native tree composition in forests that have suffered recent logging. All cleared areas intended for reforestation shall contain at least 302 appropriate native trees per acre that are at least five feet tall. They shall be spaced on approximately 12-foot centers with no area of at least 12-foot radius devoid of any such trees. Every area with a one-quarter mile (660 ft) radius shall have represented in it at least ten canopy tree species that are known for that plant community. Appropriate native tree species shall be those recognized by the US Army Corps of Engineers Mobile District for bottomland hardwood communities. Native volunteer tree seedlings as well as intentionally planted tree seedlings qualify as reforestation. Any exceptions to this standard owing to long-term inundation or unusual site conditions shall be precisely mapped and documented. No one species shall comprise greater than 25% of the canopy cover except in those forest communities with characteristically low tree species diversity (i.e. cypress/tupelo associations).

At least three appropriate native shrub species characteristic of the intended plant community shall be present, either spontaneously and/or intentionally planted. Appropriate native shrub species shall be those recognized by the US Army Corps of Engineers Mobile District for bottomland hardwood communities. If intentionally planted, the plantings shall originate from seed, rootstocks, or whole plants that were obtained from elsewhere on the project site or from other TNC lands in the immediate vicinity. They shall be planted widely apart. No two plants of the same species may be planted within 12 feet of each other. Target cover for shrub species shall be no less than 20% and no more than 60%.

Monitoring shall be conducted by visual determination, supplemented by measurements as needed, during comprehensive reconnaissance on foot of the entire project site. All areas intended for reforestation that do not meet these standards shall be intentionally planted.

2. Increase characteristic tree-species diversity in forests that are recovering from earlier logging. The project site shall be visually inspected during reconnaissance and comply with criteria as described in item (1) above. Intentional plantings shall be made as needed to rectify inadequacies.

3. Remove or thin vines or other nuisance species that interfere with natural forest succession. Each former area of arrested development shall be visually inspected at regular intervals to ensure that no vines or other nuisance species are reestablishing in the area. All trees, whether planted or naturally recruited, will be inspected for growth and vigour and comply with criteria as described in item (1) above. Monitoring shall be conducted by visual determination, supplemented by measurements as needed, during comprehensive reconnaissance on foot of the entire project site.

4. Remove and reconvert all commercial pine plantations to native forest. Each former parcel of row-planted pine plantation shall be inspected in its entirety to assure that it complies with criteria outlined in item (1).

5. Reconvert all wildlife food plots to native forest. Each former wildlife food plot shall be inspected in its entirety to assure that it complies with criteria described in item (1).

6. Reconvert all other cleared lands to native forest, except where prohibited. Each former parcel of cleared land shall be inspected in its entirety to assure that it complies with criteria outlined in item (1) above.

7. Recover the abundance of hard-mast tree species for the benefit of wildlife. To satisfy this performance standard, the project site shall be visually inspected during reconnaissance as described in item (1) above. Any party holding a vested interest in the project may demand an inventory in any specified area within the site. If the inventory reveals an inadequacy of hard mast trees, additional trees shall be intentionally planted to rectify this inadequacy.

8. Extirpate or reduce the abundance of invasive exotic species. All infestations of exotic species shall be extirpated or reduced to less than 1% cover. Re-colonization is almost certain from floodwaters, bird and other animal migrations and from windborne seeds. These will be treated separately under the aegis of long-term management rather than restoration. Any recovery of Chinese tallowtree, Chinaberry, Chinese privet, cogongrass or Japanese climbing-fern shall be treated separately as a concern of long-term management. Persistent exotic species collectively shall not exceed 1% cover of the entire restoration project area. If reconnaissance suggests that more than 1% of the entire area contains exotic plant cover, it shall be treated to reduce such cover below the 1% criteria. Quantitative estimates of cover shall be made to document exotic cover as needed.

9. Repair hydrology. No specific performance standard can be applied. The project site will be visually inspected by concerned parties, and the attainment of repair will be determined by consensus.

10. Repair rutting and other impacts to the soil by heavy equipment. No specific performance standard can be applied. The project site will be visually inspected by concerned parties, and the attainment of repair will be determined by consensus.

11. Improve the quality of water discharging from the site. Water quality monitoring stations will be established by the Watershed Ecologist along designated streams on the project site. Water samples will be gathered prior to initiation of restoration treatments to establish baseline conditions and then once per year during the winter until project completion. A regionally calibrated Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) as established by the MDEQ, as well as off-site control stream data will determine the reference conditions to be met by water discharging from Mike’s Island.

REFERENCES

Cameron, G.N. & T.W. Lapoint, 1978. Effects of tannins on the decomposition of Chinese tallow leaves by terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates. Oecologia, 32, 349-366.

Cameron, G.N. & S.R. Spencer, 1989. Rapid leaf decay and nutrient release in a Chinese tallow forest. Oecologia, 80, 222-228.

Clewell, A.F., J. Rieger, & J. Munro, 2000. Guidelines for Developing and Managing Ecological Restoration Projects. Society for Ecological Restoration, www.ser.org Exit EPA Disclaimer, Tucson, AR.

Forys, E.A., A. Quistorff, C.R. Allen, & D.P. Wojcik, 2001. The likely cause of extinction of the tree snail Orthalicus reses reses (Say). Journal of Molluscan Studies, 67:3, 369-376.

Fox, D.A., J.E. Hightower, & F. M. Parauka, 2000. Gulf sturgeon spawning migration and habitat in the Choctawhatchee River System, Alabama-Florida. Trans. Am. Fish. Soc., 129, 811-826.

Gordon, D.R., 1998. Effects of invasive, non-indigenous plant species on ecosystem processes: lessons from Florida. Ecological Applications, 8:4, 975-989.

Meyer, K.D., 1995. Swallow-tailed Kite (Elanoides forficatus). in The Birds of North America, No. 138 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, and The American Ornithologists’ Union, Washington, DC.

Morrison, L.W., 2002. Long-term impacts of an arthropod-community invasion by the imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta. Ecology, 83:8, 2337-2345.

Mueller, J.M., C.B. Dabbert, S. Demarais, & A.R. Forbes, 1999. Northern bobwhite chick mortality caused by red imported fire ants. Journal of Wildlife Management, 63:4, 1291-1298.

Twedt, D.J., R.R. Wilson, J.L. Henne-Kerr, & R.B. Hamilton, 2001. Nest survival of forest birds in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley. Journal of Wildlife Management, 65:3, 450-460.

USFWS & GSMFC, 1995. Gulf Sturgeon Recovery Plan, Atlanta, GA.
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/prot_res/readingrm/recoverplans/gulfsturrec.pdf (PDF) Exit EPA Disclaimer

Woodrey, M.S., R.P. Ford, W.C. Hunter, & J. Taulman, 1998. East Gulf Coastal Plain Partners in Flight Bird Conservation Plan (Physiogeographic Area #404). Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, Jackson, MS.

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