Restoration funds: $1.7 million.
In developing a restoration plan, the trustee council focused on restoring emergent estuarine wetlands because the productivity and abundance of fishery resources in Galveston Bay—the resources most predominantly affected by injuries and loss—are functionally related to the health and abundance of these wetlands.
Restoration proposals were solicited from the public and interested agencies. Four projects were selected in the restoration plan and have been implemented.
Pierce Marsh
Marsh terraces were constructed on 63 acres of shallow, open water habitat within the Pierce Marsh Preserve (Galveston Bay, Texas), which is owned primarily by the Texas Nature Conservancy. Terrace construction was completed and Spartina was planted in 1999.
Galveston Island State Park
Restoration funds were used in conjunction with Coastal Wetland Planning Protection and Restoration funds to build wave barriers to protect the remaining and newly created wetlands from erosion. Marsh terraces were constructed on 121 acres of shallow, open water bottom. Planting of Spartina alterniflora on all terraces was completed by fall 2000. Forty-one-acre cells were planted with seagrass.
I-45 Corridor Project
A 57-acre site within the Interstate 45 scenic corridor to Galveston, Texas, was constructed, restored, and enhanced. This scenic corridor is a highly visible 900-acre wetland preserve owned by Scenic Galveston, a nonprofit environmental group. Marsh vegetation was planted in summer 1999. An extension of the I-45 project used the remaining funds from the Apex settlement to create 22 acres of small islands of emergent marsh in a shallow area directly across I-45 from the original project.
San Jacinto Monument State Park
More than 35 acres of new wetlands were created by depositing dredged material in shallow open water (previously wetlands) within the San Jacinto State Historical Park. Planted Spartina alterniflora has vegetated the site. Invasive salt cedar appears to be declining.
