Copeland Prairie Mitigation Plan

This project would enhance a 325-acre area of disturbed wetlands in Copeland Prairie to satisfy permit mitigation requirements for wetland impacts resulting from stabilization of recreational ORV trails in the Preserve. The plan would utilize a three-part hydrologic approach performed in concert with removal of invasive exotic vegetation and application of prescribed fire treatments. In total, the project would convert 12.29 acres of abandoned farm roads to wetlands, remove 6.76 miles of sheet flow obstruction, open 325 acres of previously over-parched wetlands to sheet flow, deliver an estimated 6,000 acre-feet of supplemental water via a rehabilitated and newly re-engineered set of two 24-inch culverts, convert 2.5 acres of open canal channel to wetlands, and eliminate 1.6 miles of saltwater intrusion via the Birdon and Diagonal canals. These measures would be anticipated to return the affected area to a self-sustaining, saltwater-resistant, wet prairie habitat.

Contact Information

Damon Doumlele, 239-695-1158, damon_doumlele@nps.gov
Bob Sobczak, 239-695-1151, robert_sobczak@nps.gov