Magnolia River Land Acquisition (Holmes Tract)
Implementing Organization
State of Alabama
Overview
DWH Project Funding
$5,138,162
Known Leveraged Funding
$0
Funding Organization
Natural Resource Damage Assessment Trustees (NRDA)
Funding Program
Natural Resource Damage Assessment NRDA
Details
Project Category
Environmental
Project Actions
Habitat Restoration and Enhancement
Targeted Resources
Wetlands/Marshes/Estuaries
Project Description
This project will facilitate the acquisition of the 91-acre Holmes Tract by the Weeks Bay Foundation (WBF) through a fee simple purchase. An appropriate permanent land protection instrument will be placed on the property (i.e., deed restriction, conservation easement), and then the property will be transferred into the permanent ownership of Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) with management by the Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR). The Holmes property is one of the largest undeveloped tracts on Magnolia River, accounting for more than 1 mile of water frontage along the Magnolia River and Weeks Creek. Habitats include a small freshwater emergent marsh, bottomland hardwood wetlands fronting the rivers, and upland habitat. WBF and the Weeks Bay NERR will address restoration needs to ensure that the site provides the best habitat for native and endemic species, including migrant land birds and estuarine-dependent fish. Restoration activities could include invasive species control (prescribed burning or other methods), native vegetation planting, and limited erosion control measures. In addition, WBF will work with Weeks Bay NERR to create a long-term management plan and prioritize additional restoration needs, including possible re-creation of longleaf pine savannas, pitcher plant bogs, and marsh and swamp habitat.
Contact
Amy Hunter(251) 621-1216
Amy.Hunter@dcnr.alabama.gov
Project Website
None
For official trustee information regarding the Deepwater Horizon NRDA, including information regarding the NRDA process and the status of projects, see https://www.gulfspillrestoration.noaa.gov/