NOAA Community-based Restoration Program (NOAA CRP)
The NOAA Community-based Restoration Program (NOAA CRP) began in 1996 to inspire and sustain local efforts to conduct meaningful, on-the-ground restoration of marine, estuarine and riparian habitat. While the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Habitat Conservation Division has been an integral part of SARP since its inception, the long-term partnership based upon the NOAA CRP was initiated in 2007.
NOAA CRP catalyzes partnerships at the national and local levels to maximize resources such as funds, technical expertise, land and volunteers to undertake sound restoration projects that promote stewardship and a conservation ethic. In cooperation with the NOAA Restoration Center, SARP identifies potential projects and facilitates the formation of local partnerships to conduct on-the-ground restoration.
In 2007, NOAA CRP and SARP formed a long term partnership to fund, implement and monitor restoration projects benefitting marine and anadromous fish habitat in the nine southeastern states that border the Gulf of Mexico and the south Atlantic. This partnership supports the goals of the National Fish Habitat Action Plan as well as the Southeast Aquatic Habitat Plan.
The first projects implemented by this partnership were located in the Altamaha River (Georgia) and Roanoke River (North Carolina and Virginia) watersheds. Previously, SARP had assessed these two watersheds to identify habitat needs and threats. More information about these watersheds:
- SARP Priority Waters 2008-2009
- The Pilot Study
- The Altamaha Watershed Report
- The Roanoke River Watershed Report
- National Fish Habitat Action Plan
In spring 2009, a request seeking new project proposals resulted in funding of 11 projects in the SARP coastal states of Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas. Proposals undergo a competitive review and projects are selected on basis of their technical merit.
Projects
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Community Control of ANS
The Altamaha River Watershed Conservation Action Plan cites invasive species as one of the six highest ranked threats. One of the invasive species thriving in portions of the watershed is the flathead catfish, which cause environmental harm, threaten native species, and can change the recreational value of an area for anglers.read more >
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Oyster Restoration with Artificial Cultch
Restoration of oysters along southeastern coasts is important for economic and ecological reasons. Oysters enhance water quality. Their reefs buffer wave action adjacent to marshes, and they are harvested and marketed by commercial fishermen. read more >
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Jockey's Ridge Living Shoreline Protection
Jockey’s Ridge State Park is the location of the largest sand dune system on the east coast. It is part of the Roanoke River Watershed, which flows from Virginia through North Carolina to the sea. Its estuarine shoreline had never been stabilized prior to making the area into a state park. However, the estuarine shoreline had been damaged by vehicle and foot traffic and acres of salt marsh had disappeared. The park is used for education, recreation, tourism, and conservation.read more >
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FISH Preserve Habitat Restoration Project -- Newly Added 10/17/11!!!
The Florida Institute For Saltwater Heritage (FISH) is restoring the “kitchen”, an important fisheries habitat for the section of shallow Sarasota Bay bottom south of Cortez. For villagers during the Depression, the kitchen provided food for the tables of their struggling families and was critical to their survival. In 1999, FISH raised money through community festivals to purchase 100 acres of environmentally-sensitive waterfront property that was slated for large scale development immediately east of the village. This historically-significant area became known as the FISH Preserve and is one of the last remaining undeveloped parcels on northern Sarasota Bay. read more >