Protection and Restoration of Benny's Shack Islands, Phase II

Summary

The goal of this project will increase the amount of nesting habitat available for colonial waterbirds within the Lower Laguna Madre by protecting and restoring Benny’s Shack Islands.  Engineering and design and construction and monitoring are included.  The primary outcome of this project is the protection and restoration of an eroding rookery island in the Lower Laguna Madre that provides critical nesting habitat for hundreds of pairs of colonial nesting waterbirds. Although it is considered a secondary outcome of the project, the proposed breakwater structure will also allow for the recruitment and growth of oyster larvae, a threatened habitat. Development of an oyster reef complex will have the added outcome of creating complex fish habitat for numerous recreationally and commercially important species.