Mississippi Coastal Improvements Program (MsCIP) Active
In 2009, the Mississippi Coastal Improvements Program (MsCIP) was developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Mobile District in conjunction with other Federal and State agencies, to help reduce future storm damage along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The Comprehensive Plan for MsCIP includes restoring the Mississippi barrier islands and over 3,000 acres of wetland and coastal forest habitat; acquisition of acreage within high hazard areas; improvement of a levee in Gulfport, Mississippi; a flood-proofing demonstration in Waveland, Mississippi; and study of storm damage risk reduction and ecosystem restoration options across the coastal area.
The barrier island restoration elements of the Plan include placement of sand at and adjacent to Camille Cut to connect East and West Ship Islands and beach restoration at Cat Island. Additionally, future placement of dredged material adjacent to Horn Island Pass will be in a manner that will enhance the natural transport of dredged material.
USGS has been involved in data collection and monitoring and adaptive management (MAM) program development and implementation for the Barrier Island Restoration under MsCIP.
Description
In 2009, the Mississippi Coastal Improvements Program (MsCIP) was developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Mobile District in conjunction with other Federal and State agencies, to help reduce future storm damage along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The Comprehensive Plan for MsCIP includes the restoration of the Mississippi barrier islands; restoration of over 3,000 acres of wetland and coastal forest habitat; acquisition of approximately 2,000 parcels, with relocation of residents, within the high hazard area; improvement of a levee at the Forest Heights community in Gulfport, Mississippi; a flood-proofing demonstration in Waveland, Mississippi; and the study of other hurricane and storm damage risk reduction and ecosystem restoration options across the coastal area.
The barrier island restoration elements of the Comprehensive Plan include placement of sand at and adjacent to Camille Cut to connect East and West Ship Islands and augment sediment to the updrift system along East Ship Island and beach restoration for Cat Island. Additionally, future placement of dredged material adjacent to Horn Island Pass will be in a manner that will enhance the natural transport of dredged material to Horn Island.
USGS has been involved in data collection and monitoring and adaptive management (MAM) program development and implementation for the Barrier Island Restoration under MsCIP.
Objectives
The objectives for barrier island restoration for MsCIP are to:
- Maintain the estuarine ecosystem and resources of the Mississippi Sound.
- Preserve the natural and cultural resources of the Mississippi barrier islands.
- Restore the barrier islands structure to reduce storm damage impacts on the mainland coast of Mississippi.
- Restore compatible sediment and enhance the long-term littoral drift system, which historically has maintained the Mississippi barrier islands through natural processes.
Background
The Mississippi barrier islands are dynamic coastal landforms that are the first line of defense between the Gulf of Mexico and the Mississippi mainland coast. These islands are experiencing changes in structure (land area and habitat) and geomorphic processes (erosion and accretion) due to frequent intense storms, relative rise in sea level, and changes in sediment supply. Long-term loss of the barrier islands threatens the highly productive Mississippi Sound estuarine ecosystem and exposes mainland Mississippi coast and its associated habitats to increasing saltwater intrusion and damage from future tropical storms. To reduce the risk for vulnerable areas, under the MsCIP, the USACE is investing in barrier island restoration at Ship Island and Cat Island through direct sand placement to restore island structure and enhance sand supply to the littoral transport system.
A long-term MAM program is being integrated into the MsCIP barrier island restoration project to directly incorporate a science-based approach into the large scale restoration effort, including development of a conceptual ecological model, identification of risk and uncertainties, performance measures, objectives, success criteria, monitoring parameters and potential adaptive management actions. The developed MAM Program will allow the USACE to assess short and long-term impacts, restoration progress, and provide the information needed to adjust project performance to meet project goals and objectives.
Methods
USGS activities under the MsCIP Project include:
- Bathymetric and geological investigations
- Monitoring and adaptive management program development and implementation
- Structured decision making
- Water quality data collection
- Aerial photography acquisition
- Habitat mapping
- Land trend analysis
- Ship Island breach analysis
- Data analysis, data integration and reporting
- Data management and data visualization
Data Synthesis
- Bathymetric data were used as the foundation for the seismic, side-scan sonar, and sediment data. After the bathymetry data was processed all data were referenced to the seafloor elevation.
- Seismic data were used to create a 3-dimensional structure of the geology beneath the seafloor. Depositional units were identified and mapped in order to interpret the geologic framework.
- Stratigraphic profiles from the vibracores were used to ground truth the seismic data and to help recreate the depositional environments of each unit identified. Physical descriptions and grain-size analysis were used to characterize the physical properties of the units.
- Using seismic data, areas and volumes were calculated for the four sand units identified in the study, including calculating depth from modern seafloor to the tops of the units.
- A decision support tool was developed to link restoration objectives and management options while accounting for tradeoffs between objectives and uncertainties such as storm events during and after construction.
- A Conceptual Ecological Model was developed to describe the general functional relationships among the essential ecosystem components.
- A monitoring design was developed and implemented to evaluate progress towards meeting project goals and objectives and to manage uncertainties.
- Feedback loops were developed so that monitoring and assessment produce continuous and learning that in turn is incorporated into subsequent decision-making through adaptive management.
- Incorporated transparency into data and information delivery and visualizations, to facilitate determinations of restoration progress, adjustments to restoration strategies as needed, and demonstrations of lessons learned.
References
- Anderson, J.R., Hardy, E.E., Roach, J.T., and Witmer, R.E., 1976, A land use and land cover classification system for use with remote sensor data: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 964, 28 p.
- Byrnes, M.R., Rosati, J.D., Griffee, S.F., and Berlinghoff, J.L., 2012, Littoral sediment budget for the Mississippi Sound barrier islands: Vicksburg, Miss., U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center Technical Report ERDC/CHL TR-12-9, 106 p.
- Byrnes, M.R., Rosati, J.D., Griffee, S.F., and Berlinghoff, J.L., 2013, Historical sediment transport pathways and quantities for determining an operational sediment budget--Mississippi Sound barrier islands: Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue 63, p. 166-183.
- Cowardin, L.M., Carter, Virginia, Golet, F.C., and LaRoe, E.T., 1979, Classification of wetlands and deepwater habitats of the United States: Washington, D.C., U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Biological Services, FWS/OBS-79/31, 131 p.
- Conroy, M.J., and Peterson, J.T., 2012. Decision making in natural resource management--A structured, adaptive approach: Chichester, UK, Wiley, 474 p.
- Convertino, Matteo, Foran, C.M., Keisler, J.M., Scarlett, Lynn, LoSchiavo, Andy, Kiker, G.A, and Linkov, Igor, 2013, Enhanced adaptive management--Integrating decision analysis, scenario analysis and environmental modeling for the Everglades: Scientific Reports, vol. 3, no. 2922.
- Fischenich, Craig, Vogt, Craig, Barr, Ken, Barnes, Tomma, Bartell, Steve, Brandt, Laura, Johnson, Marci, Kleiss, Barb, Kurzbach, Elmar, LoSchiavo, Andy, Parsons-Richards, Carol, Steyer, Greg, Thomas, Richard, and Thompson, Bradley, 2012, The application of Adaptive Management to ecosystem restoration projects: Vicksburg, Miss., U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, EBA Technical Notes Collection, ERDC TN-EMRRP-EBA 10, 21 p.
- Gregory, Robin, Failing, Lee, Harstone, Michael, Long, Graham, McDaniels, Tim, and Ohlson, Dan, 2012, Structured decision making--A practical guide to environmental management choices: Chichester, UK, Wiley, 312 p.
- Hammond, J.S., Keeney, R.L., Raiffa, Howard, 1999, Smart choices--A practical guide to making better life decisions: New York, Broadway Books.
- Heidemann, H.K., 2012, Lidar base specification version 1.0: U.S. Geological Survey Techniques and Methods, book 11, chap. B4, 63 p.
- Martin, Julien, Runge, M.C., Nichols, J.D., Lubow, B.C., and Kendall, W.L., 2009, Structured decision making as a conceptual framework to identify thresholds for conservation and management: Ecological Applications v. 19, no. 5, p. 1079-1090.
- Runge, M.C., Converse, S.J., and Lyons, J.E., 2011, Which uncertainty? Using expert elicitation and expected value of information to design an adaptive program: Biological Conservation, v.144, no. 4 p. 1214-1223.
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 2009, Comprehensive plan and integrated programmatic environmental impact statement, Mississippi Coastal Improvements Program (MsCIP) Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson Counties, Mississippi: Mobile, Ala., Army Engineer District, v. 1, 417 p.
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 2014, Mississippi Coastal Improvements Program (MsCIP) comprehensive barrier island restoration Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson Counties, Mississippi, Draft supplemental environmental impact statement: Mobile, Ala., Army Engineer District, 282 p.
- Walters, C.J., and Holling, C.S., 1990, Large-scale management experiments and learning by doing: Ecology, v. 71, no. 6, p. 2060-2068.
- Williams, B.K., Szaro, R.C., and Shapiro, C.D., 2009, Adaptive management--The U.S. Department of the Interior technical guide: Washington, D.C., U.S. Department of the Interior, Adaptive Management Working Group, 72 p.
- Williams, B.K., and Brown, E.D., 2012, Adaptive management--The U.S. Department of the Interior applications guide: Washington, D.C., U.S. Department of the Interior, Adaptive Management Working Group, 120 p.
In 2009, the Mississippi Coastal Improvements Program (MsCIP) was developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Mobile District in conjunction with other Federal and State agencies, to help reduce future storm damage along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The Comprehensive Plan for MsCIP includes restoring the Mississippi barrier islands and over 3,000 acres of wetland and coastal forest habitat; acquisition of acreage within high hazard areas; improvement of a levee in Gulfport, Mississippi; a flood-proofing demonstration in Waveland, Mississippi; and study of storm damage risk reduction and ecosystem restoration options across the coastal area.
The barrier island restoration elements of the Plan include placement of sand at and adjacent to Camille Cut to connect East and West Ship Islands and beach restoration at Cat Island. Additionally, future placement of dredged material adjacent to Horn Island Pass will be in a manner that will enhance the natural transport of dredged material.
USGS has been involved in data collection and monitoring and adaptive management (MAM) program development and implementation for the Barrier Island Restoration under MsCIP.
Description
In 2009, the Mississippi Coastal Improvements Program (MsCIP) was developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Mobile District in conjunction with other Federal and State agencies, to help reduce future storm damage along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The Comprehensive Plan for MsCIP includes the restoration of the Mississippi barrier islands; restoration of over 3,000 acres of wetland and coastal forest habitat; acquisition of approximately 2,000 parcels, with relocation of residents, within the high hazard area; improvement of a levee at the Forest Heights community in Gulfport, Mississippi; a flood-proofing demonstration in Waveland, Mississippi; and the study of other hurricane and storm damage risk reduction and ecosystem restoration options across the coastal area.
The barrier island restoration elements of the Comprehensive Plan include placement of sand at and adjacent to Camille Cut to connect East and West Ship Islands and augment sediment to the updrift system along East Ship Island and beach restoration for Cat Island. Additionally, future placement of dredged material adjacent to Horn Island Pass will be in a manner that will enhance the natural transport of dredged material to Horn Island.
USGS has been involved in data collection and monitoring and adaptive management (MAM) program development and implementation for the Barrier Island Restoration under MsCIP.
Objectives
The objectives for barrier island restoration for MsCIP are to:
- Maintain the estuarine ecosystem and resources of the Mississippi Sound.
- Preserve the natural and cultural resources of the Mississippi barrier islands.
- Restore the barrier islands structure to reduce storm damage impacts on the mainland coast of Mississippi.
- Restore compatible sediment and enhance the long-term littoral drift system, which historically has maintained the Mississippi barrier islands through natural processes.
Background
The Mississippi barrier islands are dynamic coastal landforms that are the first line of defense between the Gulf of Mexico and the Mississippi mainland coast. These islands are experiencing changes in structure (land area and habitat) and geomorphic processes (erosion and accretion) due to frequent intense storms, relative rise in sea level, and changes in sediment supply. Long-term loss of the barrier islands threatens the highly productive Mississippi Sound estuarine ecosystem and exposes mainland Mississippi coast and its associated habitats to increasing saltwater intrusion and damage from future tropical storms. To reduce the risk for vulnerable areas, under the MsCIP, the USACE is investing in barrier island restoration at Ship Island and Cat Island through direct sand placement to restore island structure and enhance sand supply to the littoral transport system.
A long-term MAM program is being integrated into the MsCIP barrier island restoration project to directly incorporate a science-based approach into the large scale restoration effort, including development of a conceptual ecological model, identification of risk and uncertainties, performance measures, objectives, success criteria, monitoring parameters and potential adaptive management actions. The developed MAM Program will allow the USACE to assess short and long-term impacts, restoration progress, and provide the information needed to adjust project performance to meet project goals and objectives.
Methods
USGS activities under the MsCIP Project include:
- Bathymetric and geological investigations
- Monitoring and adaptive management program development and implementation
- Structured decision making
- Water quality data collection
- Aerial photography acquisition
- Habitat mapping
- Land trend analysis
- Ship Island breach analysis
- Data analysis, data integration and reporting
- Data management and data visualization
Data Synthesis
- Bathymetric data were used as the foundation for the seismic, side-scan sonar, and sediment data. After the bathymetry data was processed all data were referenced to the seafloor elevation.
- Seismic data were used to create a 3-dimensional structure of the geology beneath the seafloor. Depositional units were identified and mapped in order to interpret the geologic framework.
- Stratigraphic profiles from the vibracores were used to ground truth the seismic data and to help recreate the depositional environments of each unit identified. Physical descriptions and grain-size analysis were used to characterize the physical properties of the units.
- Using seismic data, areas and volumes were calculated for the four sand units identified in the study, including calculating depth from modern seafloor to the tops of the units.
- A decision support tool was developed to link restoration objectives and management options while accounting for tradeoffs between objectives and uncertainties such as storm events during and after construction.
- A Conceptual Ecological Model was developed to describe the general functional relationships among the essential ecosystem components.
- A monitoring design was developed and implemented to evaluate progress towards meeting project goals and objectives and to manage uncertainties.
- Feedback loops were developed so that monitoring and assessment produce continuous and learning that in turn is incorporated into subsequent decision-making through adaptive management.
- Incorporated transparency into data and information delivery and visualizations, to facilitate determinations of restoration progress, adjustments to restoration strategies as needed, and demonstrations of lessons learned.
References
- Anderson, J.R., Hardy, E.E., Roach, J.T., and Witmer, R.E., 1976, A land use and land cover classification system for use with remote sensor data: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 964, 28 p.
- Byrnes, M.R., Rosati, J.D., Griffee, S.F., and Berlinghoff, J.L., 2012, Littoral sediment budget for the Mississippi Sound barrier islands: Vicksburg, Miss., U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center Technical Report ERDC/CHL TR-12-9, 106 p.
- Byrnes, M.R., Rosati, J.D., Griffee, S.F., and Berlinghoff, J.L., 2013, Historical sediment transport pathways and quantities for determining an operational sediment budget--Mississippi Sound barrier islands: Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue 63, p. 166-183.
- Cowardin, L.M., Carter, Virginia, Golet, F.C., and LaRoe, E.T., 1979, Classification of wetlands and deepwater habitats of the United States: Washington, D.C., U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Biological Services, FWS/OBS-79/31, 131 p.
- Conroy, M.J., and Peterson, J.T., 2012. Decision making in natural resource management--A structured, adaptive approach: Chichester, UK, Wiley, 474 p.
- Convertino, Matteo, Foran, C.M., Keisler, J.M., Scarlett, Lynn, LoSchiavo, Andy, Kiker, G.A, and Linkov, Igor, 2013, Enhanced adaptive management--Integrating decision analysis, scenario analysis and environmental modeling for the Everglades: Scientific Reports, vol. 3, no. 2922.
- Fischenich, Craig, Vogt, Craig, Barr, Ken, Barnes, Tomma, Bartell, Steve, Brandt, Laura, Johnson, Marci, Kleiss, Barb, Kurzbach, Elmar, LoSchiavo, Andy, Parsons-Richards, Carol, Steyer, Greg, Thomas, Richard, and Thompson, Bradley, 2012, The application of Adaptive Management to ecosystem restoration projects: Vicksburg, Miss., U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, EBA Technical Notes Collection, ERDC TN-EMRRP-EBA 10, 21 p.
- Gregory, Robin, Failing, Lee, Harstone, Michael, Long, Graham, McDaniels, Tim, and Ohlson, Dan, 2012, Structured decision making--A practical guide to environmental management choices: Chichester, UK, Wiley, 312 p.
- Hammond, J.S., Keeney, R.L., Raiffa, Howard, 1999, Smart choices--A practical guide to making better life decisions: New York, Broadway Books.
- Heidemann, H.K., 2012, Lidar base specification version 1.0: U.S. Geological Survey Techniques and Methods, book 11, chap. B4, 63 p.
- Martin, Julien, Runge, M.C., Nichols, J.D., Lubow, B.C., and Kendall, W.L., 2009, Structured decision making as a conceptual framework to identify thresholds for conservation and management: Ecological Applications v. 19, no. 5, p. 1079-1090.
- Runge, M.C., Converse, S.J., and Lyons, J.E., 2011, Which uncertainty? Using expert elicitation and expected value of information to design an adaptive program: Biological Conservation, v.144, no. 4 p. 1214-1223.
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 2009, Comprehensive plan and integrated programmatic environmental impact statement, Mississippi Coastal Improvements Program (MsCIP) Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson Counties, Mississippi: Mobile, Ala., Army Engineer District, v. 1, 417 p.
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 2014, Mississippi Coastal Improvements Program (MsCIP) comprehensive barrier island restoration Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson Counties, Mississippi, Draft supplemental environmental impact statement: Mobile, Ala., Army Engineer District, 282 p.
- Walters, C.J., and Holling, C.S., 1990, Large-scale management experiments and learning by doing: Ecology, v. 71, no. 6, p. 2060-2068.
- Williams, B.K., Szaro, R.C., and Shapiro, C.D., 2009, Adaptive management--The U.S. Department of the Interior technical guide: Washington, D.C., U.S. Department of the Interior, Adaptive Management Working Group, 72 p.
- Williams, B.K., and Brown, E.D., 2012, Adaptive management--The U.S. Department of the Interior applications guide: Washington, D.C., U.S. Department of the Interior, Adaptive Management Working Group, 120 p.