I-45 Estuarine Corridor:
Coastal Wetland Protection and Restoration
Located along both sides of the I-45 corridor leading into Galveston,
expansive intertidal marshes harbor waterbirds, fish and shellfish. In order to
maintain and enhance species diversity, r
emove the threat of inappropriate
commercial development, protect the scenic gateway to Galveston Island and
minimize erosion and protect water quality, a partnership including federal and
state agencies, non-governmental conservation groups and landowners formed.
Project advocates included environmentalists, biologists, birdwatchers, highway
beautification advocates, tourism supporters, fishermen and hunters.
Beginning in 1993, partners embarked on this ambitious habitat protection and
restoration initiative. Partners began by building community awareness,
writing grants and raising funds. A $400,000 federal grant from the North
American Wetlands Conservation Act, matched with additional funds from
private contributors, provided the funds Scenic Galveston, Inc. needed to
purchase 815 acres of pristine wetlands and the adjacent but severely degraded
57 acre Tamburine Landfill. Additional funds from an oil spill settlement
negotiated with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s active involvement, provided
the bulk of funding needed to restore the Tamburine Landfill. Once all phases of
the project are completed, Scenic Galveston, Inc. will transfer ownership to The
Nature Conservancy, which will manage all protected lands along the I-45
Estuarine Corridor. In combination
with a conservation easement to be held by the Conservancy on the contiguous
Pierce Marsh Preserve, more than 3200 acres of coastal wetlands and upland
buffer complex will be protected.
As protection work was being finalized, FWS Texas Coastal Program and
Texas Deptartment of Transportation provided technical assistance to plan the
restoration work at the Tamburine Landfill where a 10.2 acre section of the
original marsh was buried in dredge material. Restoration involved scraping away
excess dredge material to the level needed to establish an emergent marsh 
and
excavating channels to allow nutrient inflow and outflow. Excess dredge material
was used to restore adjacent marsh. Two borrow-pits were filled and 45 acres of
bay bottom was raised to an elevation that will encourage the growth of wetland
vegetation. Next, staff and volunteers planted wetland vegetation contributed by
Reliant Energy’s Cedar Bayou cordgrass nursery.
Work still remains to be done along the I-45 Estuarine Corridor. A few small but vital commercial upland fill sites need to be acquired and restored. Restoration work needs to be monitored. Outreach services, involving signing, education and nature study need to be developed. But already, it’s clear that this habitat protection and restoration, accomplished through the collaboration of many committed partners, will enhance the biological and aesthetic qualities of Galveston Bay.
Aerial photo of Scenic Galveston's Estuarial Corridor just north of the Galveston Causeway. Photo taken on February 16, 2004.