1. Adjacent
Sediment Slurry
Wetlands
Enrichment
Opportunities in
Jamaica Bay

2. History
• 1997-2000 Marsh loss recognition by Ecowatcher’s
• April 2001 Ecowatcher’s scientific panel and tour of
the bay
• May 2001 NPS Blue Ribbon Panel
• Recognition of Wetlands Loss Problem
• 2002 Ecowatchers contact Florida Power and Light –
secure funding commitment for Pilot wetlands Project
–outreach to Jet Spray Barge operator
• 2003 Barge transported from Louisiana to Jamaica Bay
• 2003 Big Egg Marsh Restoration Project

3. NPS Big Egg Marsh Wetland Restoration Project
• Goals
• Elevate portion of Big Egg Marsh experiencing marsh die off
• Place 8000 CU on depressed pooling areas
• Raise elevation 6-18 inches
• Hydro seed
• Spartina Plug Planting
• Create two acres of restored wetlands

4. Jet Spray Barge
operating at Big
Egg

5. Big Egg Marsh

7. Benefits
• Small project areas 2- 3 acres
• Low Cost
• Stop total marsh loss in areas
where the center marsh area is
disappearing
• Maintenance type of approach
to stay ahead of SLR
• Create sediment bank that can
“feed” adjacent areas

8. Adjacent
Sediment Slurry
Enrichment
• Barge Platform
• Dredge Adjacent Sediment
• 130 foot spray range
• Barge moved during process
• Initiated in Louisiana
• Recently Referred to as “Thin
Layer Placement”
• Spring Creek and Idlewild
upcoming projects to utilize

9. ACOE Thin Layer Placement THP

18. Black Bank Marsh

20. Big Egg East

22. Summary
• NOT a replacement for Marsh Island Building
• A maintenance program to stay ahead of
complete wetland island collapse
• Application opportunities in the interior of
the bay as well as along the shorelines
• Wide-spread acceptance and support across
various agencies and multiple states
• Additional Opportunity to save the wetlands
of Jamaica Bay.

23. • Questions ?