Cat Island Chain Restoration Project - Modeling and Design Work for Project Construction

Status: In Progress

Location: Lower Green Bay, Brown County, Wisconsin

Description: Finalizing project design to restore a chain of islands in lower Green Bay, known as the Cat Island Chain, has been delayed until further information can be obtained through modeling and engineering consultation which is on hold due to budgetary constraints. Further work is needed to determine the best location, configuration, order of construction, and construction approach for the islands to maximize project effectiveness. The requested funding would allow the modeling and design work to proceed and would represent part of the local sponsor's non-federal funding contribution to the project. The project will be constructed through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Detroit District (Corps) under Section 204 of the Water Resources Development Act. The project is being undertaken as a cooperative effort among the Corps; the interagency Biota and Habitat Work Group, chaired by the Fish and Wildlife Service; and Brown County, the local sponsor. The islands are being restored to serve their historic function as a barrier island chain that protected an extensive coastal wetland complex of emergent and submergent vegetation in the southwest area of the lower bay including wetlands at the mouth of Duck Creek. The islands provided habitat as well, particularly for colonial nesting waterbirds and shorebirds.

Benefits: The Cat Island Chain restoration project will help to replace coastal wetland and island habitat that has been lost from the lower Green Bay ecosystem. Migratory birds including waterfowl; common tern, Forster's tern, black-crowned night heron and other colonial nesting birds; shorebirds; passerine species and raptors are expected to benefit from the project as well as various fish species that are expected to have improved spawning and nursery habitat and the other biotic species associated with coastal wetlands of the area. Another intended benefit of the project is improved waterfowl hunting opportunity in the lower bay.

Restoration Goal(s)

• Aquatic and Near-Shore Habitat Quality Improvement
• Wetland and Associated Upland Habitat Preservation, Reestablishment or Enhancement

Timeline:
Modeling and design March - July 2003
Project construction - 2004

Project Contact: Janet Smith
Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service