Using dredge material to create bird sanctuary

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has long been a crucial player in preserving both human infrastructure and natural habitats.

Their latest endeavor, a collaborative project with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, highlights how their engineering prowess can create positive environmental impacts.

The Corps led the restoration of Sandbag Island by making beneficial use of dredging materials from a nearby navigation channel to rebuild the island, which had been severely eroded over time.

“This Backsound case is a great example of taking the initiative to identify and troubleshoot a solution to what was shaping up to be a great ecological loss,” said Andrea Currylow, Biologist with the Environmental Resources Section. “We leaned in to figure out how we could best use our maintenance dredging as an opportunity to rescue and enhance seabird habitat.”

Through careful planning and implementation, USACE used a network of pipelines to transport the dredged material, rebuilding the island without damaging the surrounding ecosystem.

To further safeguard the environment, they employed turbidity curtains to prevent sediment from spreading into nearby waters, protecting critical aquatic vegetation and water quality.

The newly restored island now serves as an essential nesting ground for various waterbird species, including American oystercatchers, black skimmers, and brown pelicans.

By taking an innovative approach to repurpose dredged material, the Corps not only mitigated the impact of channel maintenance but also created an invaluable habitat for wildlife.