LOWER MISSISSIPPI RIVER

AQUATIC RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

  GOALS & OBJECTIVES

 

A. HABITAT - Maintain or improve aquatic habitat quantity, quality, and diversity in the Lower Mississippi River ecosystem

 

Objective A.1            Identify, define, describe, and delineate habitats in the Lower Mississippi River

 

Strategy A.1.1            Use U. S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (Corps) habitat delineation and classification procedures, aerial photographs, Geographic Information System (GIS) technology, navigation charts, and other resources to identify and quantify historical and existing aquatic habitats.

 

Strategy A.1.2             Quantify aquatic habitat losses.

 

Strategy A.1.3            Work with the Corps to complete a Habitat Needs Assessment which should identify and prioritize restoration of critical habitat that provides vital natural processes and functions.

 

Objective A.2            Restore/maintain side channels, oxbows, natural banks, backwater areas, and other natural habitat features.

 

Strategy A.2.1            Develop an agreement with the Corps to prevent/minimize future losses of aquatic habitat.

 

Strategy A.2.2            Work with the Corps to develop a long-term program to design, construct, and maintain habitat restoration projects. (Similar to the Upper Mississippi River’s Environmental Management Program or the Middle Mississippi River’s Avoid and Minimize Program)

 

Strategy A.2.3            Work with the Corps to develop and implement site-specific modifications to existing structural features in the river that will improve or create habitat aquatic natural resources.

 

Strategy A.2.4            Use micro-models constructed and calibrated by the Corps to evaluate habitat improvement plans.

 

Strategy A.2.5            Work with the Corps to further evaluate the effectiveness of various bank stabilization methods (articulated concrete mattress, riprap, etc.) as fish habitat.

Strategy A.2.6            Establish annual meetings between the Corps and other federal and state natural resource professionals to discuss proposed construction projects and the incorporation of recommended avoid and minimize and/or habitat restoration measures in their plans. 

 

Strategy A.2.7            Ensure equal consideration of navigation and biotic concerns in the planning of Corps channel maintenance activities (e.g., dike and revetment construction, dredge spoil placement, etc.).

 

Strategy A.2.8            Maintain/slash restore hydrology in backwater areas.

 

Objective A.3            Acquire floodplain lands and islands from willing sellers.

 

Strategy A.3.1            Identify and prioritize floodplain areas, islands, side channels, and other critical habitats requiring special protection or for acquisition to increase habitat diversity.

 

Strategy A.3.2            Outline procedures for acquisition of floodplain areas and identify funding sources.

 

Strategy A.3.3            Identify cooperating state and federal agencies that will own and manage acquired lands.

 

Strategy A.3.4            Develop a federal program to lease floodplain lands with an active connection to the Lower Mississippi River and manage them to enhance natural hydrological functions.

 

Strategy A.3.5            Identify and pursue opportunities to increase the connectivity between the Mississippi River and its floodplain.