Sediment diversions mimic nature’s historic land-building processes by using the power of the river to move sediment and fresh water into nearby basins. This project type can build new land and is critical for helping sustain new and existing wetlands. Sediment diversions provide a sustainable source of sand and mud over time to sustain nearby marsh creation, barrier island and ridge restoration projects.
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Hydrologic restoration projects increase freshwater flows into wetlands or use structures to reduce saltwater intrusion. This project type can either prevent water stagnation in wetlands by restoring freshwater flows or help control salinity levels by blocking saltwater, which enhances the function of wetland habitat and prevents the die-off of freshwater vegetation. Hydrologic restoration projects can also help maintain optimal salinities needed for the success of other restoration projects, such as oyster reef and marsh restoration projects.
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Barrier island restoration uses sand to rebuild and restore barrier island beaches and dunes. These projects create or enhance important wildlife and shorebird habitat, serve as the first line of defense against storms for communities, and shelter inland wetlands from erosion. By buffering other projects, barrier island restoration can increase the lifespan of marsh creation projects and increase the land-building and sustaining benefits of sediment diversions and hydrologic restoration.
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Marsh restoration projects rehabilitate existing marsh or build marsh in shallow open waters areas. This project type can improve the quality of marsh habitat and build new marsh habitat. Marsh creation can be used in combination with sediment diversions to help trap sediment. In turn, sediment diversions can benefit marsh creation projects by providing a long-term source of sediment that can help lengthen their lifespans.
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Ridge restoration uses sediment to restore historic ridges. A ridge is a strip of land, usually a remnant of the bank of an abandoned bayou or stream, which is elevated above the marsh surface and typically populated with trees. This project restores important habitat, can provide storm surge protection to nearby communities and helps prevent saltwater intrusion into freshwater wetlands. Ridge restoration projects can work with hydrologic restoration projects to re-establish historic salinities within the basin, reduce shoreline erosion of marsh creation projects, and trap sediment from sediment diversions to help build land more quickly.
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Habitat protection projects conserve key parcels of coastal lands, such as important habitats around National Wildlife Refuges and State Coastal Preserves, in order to protect those habitats in perpetuity. Projects may directly purchase private lands through fee simple acquisition, or work with landowners to purchase conservation easements. Involving landowners in conservation easement purchase programs often allow additional restoration and enhancement opportunities on the property.
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Living shoreline projects provide substrate for oyster colonization, while also creating nursery and foraging habitat for commercially and recreationally important fish and shellfish. Furthermore, oyster reefs can improve water quality and protect marsh, seagrass, and shoreline habitats from further degradation, including shoreline erosion and damage from coastal storms.
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