Preproposal for National Estuary Program-NOAA Community-Based Restoration
Partnership
.
I. Applicant Information
1. The Nature Conservancy, NC Chapter, Outer Banks Office
2. 701 West Ocean Acres Drive Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948
3. nature.org
II. Project Contact
1. Aaron McCall Northeast Regional Steward
2. 701 West Ocean Acres Drive Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948
3. 252-441-2525 ext.27
4. 252-441-1271
5. ajmccall@tnc.org
6. nature.org/north carolina
7. Congressional District: 3
III. Project Information
1. Nags Head Woods Ecological Preserve living shoreline project
2. February 1, 2010
3. August 1, 2011
4. Nags Head, Dare County, North Carolina
5. The land is public and owned by the Town of Nags Head but managed by The Nature
Conservancy as part of Nags Head Woods Ecological Preserve.
6. Oyster reef, submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV), and brackish marsh.
7. This project will increase biodiversity, improve estuarine water quality, and restore or
enhance habitat for numerous fisheries resources including the eastern oyster
(Crassostrea virginica), estuary-dependent fishes (e.g. spot, Atlantic croaker,
southern flounder), and diadromous fishes (e.g. striped bass, American eel). In
addition, SAV and coastal marsh vegetation will directly benefit from this restoration.
8. The Town of Nags Head
9. This project will require a permit from the N.C. Division of Coastal Management and
a research sanctuary designation from the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries
IV. Project Abstract
1. The objectives of this project are to build an oyster reef with bagged oyster shells, to
establish a shallow water sheltered zone for SAV propagation, to create a restored
brackish marsh ecosystem, and to help control shoreline erosion in the project area.
2. We will establish a shallow water oyster reef along a heavily eroding shoreline in an
area currently lacking suitable substrate for spat settlement and containing marginal
water quality conditions for oyster growth. The reef will be located in 2-3 foot of
water, 200 feet from the shore. By baffling wave energy, the reefs should create
conditions that reduce shoreline erosion and lead to the gradual development of a
sheltered, shallow-water habitat. We would then seed this shallow water area with
native SAV species to provide a secondary defense to shoreline erosion. Finally, we
will use native brackish marsh and upland vegetation to stabilize the high sediment
bank, further defending this area from the detrimental effects of shoreline erosion.
3. This project is part of a region-wide TNC initiative to conserve and restore marine
and coastal ecosystems along the North Carolina Outer Banks and Sounds.
4. The oyster reef will be constructed with oyster shells bags and will be one to two bags
high based on water height, 20 feet wide, and 200 feet long. SAV seeds will be
spread along the shallow zone between the oyster reef and shoreline. Fifty feet of
shoreline will be planted with wetland and upland vegetation. We will redesign the
high sediment bank to a more gently soundward slope and re-vegetate the area with
native salt tolerate species.
5. The Town of Nags Head is a partner of The Nature Conservancy in the conservation
efforts of Nags Head Woods Preserve and owns the parcel (40 acres) to be restored.
6. We will work with volunteers, local schools and college groups to bag oyster shells,
build the oyster reef, plant wetland vegetation, and spread SAV seeds. We will also
run an on site education program to volunteers and students on the importance of
oyster reefs, SAV and marsh systems.
V. Budget
1. Supplies: $25,400 (Federal). This includes $6,000 for oyster shell (2000 bushels and
transportation)); $1,200 for biological/physical monitoring equipment (nets, water
testing kits); $3,200 for restoration tools and supplies (dibblers, bagging material
etc.); $14,000 for coastal marsh and native riparian plants, bio-logs, and fill; and
$1,000 for volunteer/education supplies (gloves, first aid, insect repellent, water)
2. Volunteers: $16,000 (Non-federal Match). Community/student volunteers (800 hrs)
will provide hands-on labor for this project, including transporting and distributing
oyster shell bags on shell planting sites; planting wetland vegetation and SAV seeds;
and assisting with project monitoring and educational activities.
TNC staff: $22,032.50 (Non-federal Match). This includes salary and benefits for the
Director (350 h; $12,600) and Land Steward (350 h; $9,432.50). Both the director
and land steward will be involved in project design and planning; will provide project
management and oversight of restoration operations involved in project completion;
will provide technical assistance, on-the-ground restoration assistance, communitybased volunteer coordination, education, and post-project monitoring. Total match is
valued at $43,737.50 and is confirmed.
3.
Partnership request
match
personnel
staff
volunteers
fringe benefits
travel
equipment
supplies
25,400
contractual
construction
others
total direct charges
25,400
total indirect charges
3810
total budget
29,210
VI. Supplemental
 Attached pictures of proposed site to be resorted.
 Letter(s) of support
15,737.50
16,000
6,295
31,737.50
4,761
36,498