Friday, November 17, 2023

The American Shore and Beach Preservation Association has named the Cat Point Living Shoreline project one of five recipients for this year’s Best Restored Shores Award

The American Shore and Beach Preservation Association has named the Cat Point Living Shoreline project one of five recipients for this year’s Best Restored Shores Award. 

The American Shore and Beach Preservation Association is a large, 100-year-old organization dedicated to preserving, protecting, and enhancing coasts by merging science and public policy.

The Cat Point Living Shoreline project was approved in an ongoing effort to repair the injury caused by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

This project is based on the concept of using nature-based solutions to protect a disappearing shoreline and transform it into a thriving and functional salt marsh habitat.  

Sixteen breakwater structures make up the 1,300-foot “backbone” of the project located off the shores of Eastpoint.

The breakwaters now protect the shoreline against wave action, flooding, and storm surge and provide a protected area for oyster restoration.

Behind the breakwaters, nearly 21 thousand native marsh grasses were planted to enhance and create salt marsh, which acts as a natural filter to help improve coastal water quality.

The marsh also provides habitat for juvenile fish; invertebrates including crabs, shrimp, and oysters; small mammals and reptiles; and wading birds including herons and egrets.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection worked with an extensive group of public and private partners on the restoration project, including the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Duke Energy, and the Conservation Corps of the Forgotten and Emerald Coasts, who assisted with planting and educational outreach.

Monitoring of project is an important part of restoration.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Central Panhandle Aquatic Preserves staff, have monitored the project since construction and planting were completed and will continue monitoring until 2025.




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