Oyster Oyster HabitatHabitat

Anthropogenic and Anthropogenic and EnvironmentalEnvironmental Impacts on Impacts on

Estuaries and Estuaries and Methods Used to Mitigate Methods Used to Mitigate

These ImpactsThese Impacts

Coastal Coastal WetlandsWetlands

What kinds of wetlands ?What kinds of wetlands ?► Estuarine Tidal WetlandsEstuarine Tidal Wetlands► Riverine WetlandsRiverine Wetlands► Palustrine Emergent Palustrine Emergent

WetlandsWetlands► Palustrine Forested WetlandsPalustrine Forested Wetlands

References:Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of United States Cowardin et al. USFWS 1979.

Texas Coastal Wetlands GuidebookMoulton and Jacobhttp://texaswetlands.org/estuarine.html

Why are wetlands Why are wetlands important ?important ?

► Nursery HabitatNursery Habitat for Fish, for Fish, Crabs, Shrimp and Other Crabs, Shrimp and Other Aquatic SpeciesAquatic Species

► Wildlife HabitatWildlife Habitat for Mammals for Mammals and Waterfowl and Migratory and Waterfowl and Migratory BirdsBirds

► Water QualityWater Quality – Filtration and – Filtration and Biogeochemical InteractionsBiogeochemical Interactions

► Water StorageWater Storage – Natural – Natural DetentionDetention

► Flood BufferFlood Buffer► Shoreline Erosion ProtectionShoreline Erosion Protection

Economic ValueEconomic Value► Wetlands have inherent value – existing capital – are Wetlands have inherent value – existing capital – are

valuable asset ~$20,000/acre (Woodward and Wu valuable asset ~$20,000/acre (Woodward and Wu 2001)2001)

► Direct use benefits to fish and wildlife species.Direct use benefits to fish and wildlife species.► Direct economic benefits to humans for recreational Direct economic benefits to humans for recreational

wildlife viewing, hunting, and fishing (2 billion wildlife viewing, hunting, and fishing (2 billion annually).annually).

► Direct economic benefits to commercial fisheries Direct economic benefits to commercial fisheries ($400 million annually).($400 million annually).

► They are a commons that we all benefit by their They are a commons that we all benefit by their existence.existence.

COASTAL WETLANDS LOSS IN USA: 50%

Texas Coastal Plain Was Texas Coastal Plain Was Once 25% WetlandsOnce 25% Wetlands

Wetland Losses from Multiple

Factors

Galveston Bay is located in the Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes Ecoregion.

Net loss of over 14,000 acres of emergent marsh between 1950’s and 2002 for West Bay, a sub-bay of the Galveston Bay ecosystem (White et al. 2004).

This loss has been attributed to severe erosion, conversion to agricultural lands, and vegetation drowning due to subsurface fault activation and subsidence (White et al. 2004).

Coastal Wetland Habitat LossesCoastal Wetland Habitat Losses

White, W.A., T.A. Tremblay, R.L. Waldinger, and T.R. Calnan. 2004. Status and Trends of Wetland and Aquatic Habitats on Texas Barrier Islands, Upper Texas Coast, Galveston and Christmas Bays. Texas Coastal Coordination Council Report pursuant to Texas General Land Office Contract 03-057-R

Land Classification Land Classification and Habitat Typesand Habitat Types

1995 NAPP Aerial

Photograph

Freshwater Non-tidal Wetland Loss – Jacob and Lopez 2005

NWI 1992

2002 HGAC Aerial

Photograph

Most palustrine wetland loss in the lower Galveston Bay watershed is due urbanization

40% OF ALL U.S.RIVERS, LAKES,AND ESTUARIESARE NOT CLEANENOUGH FORBASIC USES LIKESWIMMING OR FISHING

TEXAS: 34%

70% OF ALL U.S.RIPARIANCORRIDORS HAVE BEEN DESTROYED

TEXAS: 60%

What was population in past ?What was population in past ?

► 1900 – Texas Population ~ 3 1900 – Texas Population ~ 3 Million 1900 – 122,000 Houston Million 1900 – 122,000 Houston ResidentsResidents

► 85% – Texas Rural Residents85% – Texas Rural Residents

TEXAS STATS ON POPULATION2000

20 MILLION

34 MILLION

PARTS OF THE TEXAS COAST WILL DOUBLE IN POPULATIONPARTS OF THE TEXAS COAST WILL DOUBLE IN POPULATION

2000 – 20 Million Texans

Houston in 2000 – 4 million

18% Rural Residents on 94 % of the land.

LANDSCAPE CHANGES1916 AND 1985

2000 – 20 Million Texans Houston in 2000 – 4 million 18% Rural Residents on 94 % of

the land.

Mitigation for Habitat Mitigation for Habitat LossesLosses

Under CWA - Compensatory Mitigation Under CWA - Compensatory Mitigation is required for habitat losses from is required for habitat losses from development in Coastal Wetlandsdevelopment in Coastal Wetlands► Mitigation is defined as the Restoration, Mitigation is defined as the Restoration,

Establishment, Enhancement, or Establishment, Enhancement, or Preservation of aquatic resources to Preservation of aquatic resources to offset unavoidable impacts to waters of offset unavoidable impacts to waters of the U.S.the U.S.

► 2008 Mitigation Rule (33 CFR Part 332)2008 Mitigation Rule (33 CFR Part 332)

New regulations established standards New regulations established standards and criteria for compensatory and criteria for compensatory mitigationmitigation

► PRE Mitigation Rule : ► Preference for “permittee-responsible”

mitigation (e.g., on-site wetland creation)

► Resulted in many, small mitigation► POST Mitigation Rule :

► Preference for mitigation banks ► Intent is to consolidate mitigation into

fewer, larger areas with long-term conservation and management strategies

► Interagency Review Team reviews all bank establishments, operations, use, and credits

Texas Mitigation Banks Under

Review or Authorized for Compensatory Mitigation by

USACE

Conservation Status of Estuarine Conservation Status of Estuarine WetlandsWetlands

► Significant portion Significant portion are on Texas are on Texas submerged lands, submerged lands, FWS Refuge lands, FWS Refuge lands, TPWD Wildlife TPWD Wildlife Management Areas, Management Areas, or lands held in trust or lands held in trust by Conservation by Conservation groups (TNC)groups (TNC)

► Several layers of Several layers of state and federal state and federal protectionprotection

► Direct link to Direct link to commercial and commercial and recreationally recreationally important fisheries important fisheries speciesspecies

► Most significant threats Most significant threats are relative sea level are relative sea level rise and cumulative rise and cumulative impacts by developmentimpacts by development

► Public funding available Public funding available for restorationfor restoration

Conservation Status of Estuarine Conservation Status of Estuarine WetlandsWetlands

Coastal Habitat Program Coastal Habitat Program Restoration Projects-Past Restoration Projects-Past

10 Years10 Years► Depend on state-Depend on state-

federal-local federal-local partnershipspartnerships

► 550 acres of 550 acres of marsh restored, marsh restored, 300-400 acres of 300-400 acres of seagrass seagrass restoredrestored

► Over 1,100 acres Over 1,100 acres of coastal habitat of coastal habitat protected from protected from erosionerosion

Jumbile Cove Restoration Project

Galveston Island State Park Restorationgeo-textile tubes

marsh terrace fields

seagrass

125 acres of intertidal marsh complex 247 acres seagrass

8 acres of intertidal marsh created49 acres of estuarine marsh protected8 acres of shallow water habitat25 acres of rookery habitat protected

Conservation Status of Conservation Status of Riparian WetlandsRiparian Wetlands

► Conservation areas Conservation areas in State Parks, in State Parks, WMAs, FWS Refuges, WMAs, FWS Refuges, River Authority lands River Authority lands as well as as well as Conservation groups.Conservation groups.

► Wetland areas within Wetland areas within FEMA mapped FEMA mapped floodplains are floodplains are primarily protected primarily protected by Clean Water Actby Clean Water Act

Conservation Status of Conservation Status of Riparian WetlandsRiparian Wetlands

► Recognized for their Recognized for their wildlife value for wildlife value for decades; e.g. hunting decades; e.g. hunting clubsclubs

► Most significant threats Most significant threats are timber extraction, are timber extraction, reduction of natural reduction of natural flooding regime by flooding regime by manipulating flows or manipulating flows or by drainage by drainage improvement, and improvement, and development.development.

► Private landowner Private landowner incentive programs like incentive programs like WRP are most effective WRP are most effective in this landscape due to in this landscape due to large tracts and ease of large tracts and ease of restoration.restoration.

Conservation StatusConservation StatusPalustine Emergent/Forested Palustine Emergent/Forested

WetlandsWetlands► Distributed as a smaller Distributed as a smaller

feature of a larger feature of a larger upland landscape.upland landscape.

► Only wetland areas Only wetland areas adjacent to navigable adjacent to navigable waters and/or within waters and/or within FEMA mapped FEMA mapped floodplains are floodplains are protected by CWA. protected by CWA. Estimates range from Estimates range from 40% to 60% of all Texas 40% to 60% of all Texas wetlands no longer wetlands no longer under regulatory under regulatory purview. purview.

► Most significant threats Most significant threats are land use conversion are land use conversion either to agriculture or either to agriculture or from agriculture to from agriculture to development.development.

Regulations in Palustrine Regulations in Palustrine WetlandsWetlands

► 40-50% of Texas 40-50% of Texas wetlands only wetlands only recognized connection recognized connection to interstate commerce to interstate commerce is migratory birds.is migratory birds.

► Water quality and flood Water quality and flood protection benefits protection benefits provide no federal provide no federal nexus for regulation by nexus for regulation by federal government.federal government.

► Includes 303d list of Includes 303d list of impaired water bodies.impaired water bodies.

► Includes watersheds Includes watersheds where federal dollars where federal dollars are expended for flood are expended for flood control purposes.control purposes.

High Rainfall, High Runoff, High Rainfall, High Runoff, Ample Pollution SourcesAmple Pollution Sources

► 30% of Galveston Bay’s 30% of Galveston Bay’s freshwater inflow freshwater inflow comes from the comes from the surrounding coastal surrounding coastal plainplain

► 15% of its nitrogen 15% of its nitrogen input is from aerial input is from aerial depositiondeposition

► Many sanitary sewers Many sanitary sewers leak into storm drains leak into storm drains due to high due to high shrink/swell soilsshrink/swell soils

► Year-round cattle Year-round cattle grazing is ubiquitous grazing is ubiquitous on undeveloped landson undeveloped lands

Acquisition ProgramsAcquisition ProgramsPalustrine WetlandsPalustrine Wetlands

► TPWD has Land, Water, TPWD has Land, Water, and Recreation Plan and Recreation Plan that identifies land that identifies land acquisition strategy – acquisition strategy – Coastal Prairie is a Coastal Prairie is a targeted landscapetargeted landscape

► Funding always an Funding always an issueissue

► State funding to local State funding to local governments has been governments has been reduced for Park reduced for Park funding.funding.

► Federal funds available Federal funds available however conservation however conservation landholder funds are landholder funds are not readily available.not readily available.

► Non Government Non Government Organizations – Critical Organizations – Critical partner for this type of partner for this type of conservation tool.conservation tool.

Landowner Incentive Landowner Incentive ProgramsPrograms

► Wetland Conservation Wetland Conservation Plan provided a Plan provided a blueprint for landowner blueprint for landowner based conservation based conservation program.program.

► Texas Prairie Wetland Texas Prairie Wetland Project.Project.

► Wetland Reserve Wetland Reserve Program (WRP) and Program (WRP) and Conservation Reserve Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) for this Program (CRP) for this type of landscape type of landscape conservation is limiting conservation is limiting for landowners.for landowners.

Texas Prairie Wetland Project Texas Prairie Wetland Project Funding PartnersFunding Partners

► Ducks Ducks Unlimited, Inc.Unlimited, Inc.

► Texas Parks & Texas Parks & WildlifeWildlife

► U.S. Fish & U.S. Fish & Wildlife ServiceWildlife Service

► Natural Natural Resources Resources Conservation Conservation ServiceService

Texas Prairie Wetlands Texas Prairie Wetlands ProjectProjectHabitat Conservation Habitat Conservation

AccomplishmentsAccomplishments

► 27,145 acres completed 27,145 acres completed

► 321 individual wetland agreements321 individual wetland agreements

► Technical assistance provided on over Technical assistance provided on over 400,000 acres400,000 acres

► $4.96 million dollars spent $183/acre)$4.96 million dollars spent $183/acre)

Aransas 7 ac.

Austin 41 ac.

Brazoria 2335 ac.

Brooks 0 ac.

Calhoun 1050 ac.

Cameron 123 ac.

Chambers2793 ac.Colorado

967 ac. Fort Bend 585 ac.

Galveston231 ac.

Harris 223 ac.

Hidalgo 0 ac.

Jackson 845 ac.

Jefferson2965 ac.

Kenedy 19 ac.

Kleberg 18 ac.

Lavaca 699 ac.

Liberty1895 ac.

Matagorda 2923 ac.

Nueces 70 ac.

Orange1331 ac.

Refugio 179 ac.

San Patricio 19 ac.

Starr 0 ac.

Victoria 2234 ac.

Waller 168 ac.

Wharton5345 ac.

Willacy 12 ac.

0 Acres

1 - 100 Acres

101 -500 Acres

501 - 1000 Acres

1000+ Acres

Texas Prairie Wetlands ProjectTexas Prairie Wetlands Project

Completed Project Acreage / CountyCompleted Project Acreage / County

as of 11/4/02as of 11/4/02

What Anticipated ChangesWhat Anticipated Changesin Future ? in Future ?

“Superstition is seeing patterns that aren’t really there… and denial is not seeing patterns that really are there.”

Murray Gell-Mann, 1969 Nobel Prize in Physics

Sea level Rise Predicted Sea level Rise Predicted for Gulf Coast Over Next 25 for Gulf Coast Over Next 25

yearsyears

The Big Conflict The Big Conflict AheadAhead

► Minimal regulation of palustrine wetlands

► Rapidly growing population► Sea level rise impacting those either

regulated (estuarine) or held in public trust.

► For Texas to retain a functional and sustainable natural heritage, we will have to radically change the way we either regulate or provide incentives or set aside lands for conservation.

What is required of us ?What is required of us ?► All stakeholders will

need to actively engage in conservation

► Cooperate, collaborate, and compromise

► Develop strategies that effectively conserve resources for the future that respect individual rights and the public trust

► Agreement to change

Because of the natural resource bounty inherent in the Texas landscape we have been able to sacrifice part of

that bounty for many benefits.

However, we cannot expect to continue at the present rate without reducing that bounty disproportionately

and affecting our individual choices and quality of life