Oyster Bayou
Coastal Marsh Restoration Project

Restoration Strategy: Restoration on 7,383 acres of coastal marsh will be accomplished through installation of 5 water control structures and 4 earthen canal plugs. Specific objectives of this project include: (1) increase percent coverage of emergent vegetation, 2) increase diversity of emergent vegetation, 3) increase percent coverage of submerged aquatic vegetation, 4) reduce tidal fluctuation, and 5) restore historic salinities and hydrology via freshwater diversions. In marshes where salinity levels can be managed, such as those in the project area, re-establishment of submerged aquatics typically leads to plant succession, eventually restoring degraded open areas to emergent marsh. Completion of this project will help ensure that the southern Louisiana landscape continues to fulfill its historical role as important wintering and migration habitat for continental populations of waterfowl, shorebirds, and other wetland-dependent migratory birds.

Location: Approximately 3 miles west of Cameron, LA (Cameron Parish)

Acres Impacted: 7,383 acres

Habitat Type: Estuarine Emergent Marsh
Submerged Aquatic Vegetation

Partners: Ducks Unlimited, Inc
North American Wetlands Conservation Council
Louisiana Department of Natural Resources
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
Cameron Parish Gravity Drainage District No. 7
Marsh Club
Chevron-Texaco
Stream Companies

Timeline: Construction will begin in summer 2005

DU Contact:

Bob Dew
Regional Biologist
646 Cajundome Blvd., Ste. 180
Lafayette, LA 70506
(337) 291-3065
bdew@ducks.org