Map of Gulf Coast Network Parks

Gulf Coast Network –submerged area in authorized boundary Gulf Islands NS, 437 km 2 (Tier 1 showed 461 km 2 ) Padre Island NS, 302 km 2 (Tier 1 shows 130 km 2 = 172 km 2 discrepancy!)

Gulf Coast Network Submerged Aquatic Vegetation was a high priority protocol – protocol work starts in 2009 Texas –Need data mining. Need geologic framework underpinning the islands Need habitat classification especially seagrasses and hard-bottom/oyster reefs Want prediction of most vulnerable sites to breaching of barrier islands. Need information about these resources to determine visitor impacts and how to manage them.

Big Thicket National Preserve Gulf Coast Network Key technical issues - water clarity and depth. Most information they have is not up to date. NGOM project at GUIS – huge step in the right direction

Southeast Coast Network SECN

Southeast Coast Network Most parks own only to mean high tide (Cape Hatteras for example) 125 acres in Charleston Harbor Odd corners Cumberland Island NS with minimal submerged habitat Canaveral NS boundary extends half mile into Atlantic and includes portions of lagoon.

Southeast Coast Network –Benthic interest from network meetings Network wide interest was SAV distribution 1 km outside boundary. Similar need expressed to map hardscapes such as oyster beds. Sand flow budgets particularly for barrier islands were also expressed due to management issues with dredging, beach nourishing, jetties, etc.

Southeast Coast Network – Canaveral has the ownership and the interest. Wants data mining of who is doing what in and around the park Wants evaluation of available data such as FL DEP seagrass maps from aerial surveys done every 3 yr. Wants oyster locations mapped in and around park.