Project Titles:

• Repair Whooping Crane Facilities (FFS #R4GU)
• Repair Pole Barn (FFS #R4GV)

State: Florida

Initial Project Description: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS, the Service) will use American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) funds to repair the whooping crane facilities and pole barn at the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) near Petersburg, Florida.

FWS will use $13,000 in Recovery Act funds to improve the deteriorating whooping crane pens. The pens exist to protect the cranes from their predators, but the pen site is in a remote area of the refuge, surrounded by the water’s open marsh. Each year, storms from the Gulf hit the pen site, damaging the fencing, boardwalk, camouflaged area, and blind. The storms take place during the summer and early fall months while the cranes are up north, but refuge staff members have to prepare the pen site each year prior to the return of the cranes. In addition, some of the pen materials deteriorate each year from the combination of sun and saline air. In addition to improving the pens, the Recovery Act funds will also allow the refuge to upgrade the boardwalk and fencing with sustainable materials, and modify the dock area for easier personnel access.

According to Refuge Manager, Michael Lusk, “The projected improvements will not only make it easier for the staff to work in the area, but will also benefit the cranes by increasing protection from predators and damages to the protective fence from different weather factors.”

FWS also awarded a $7,305 Recovery Act contract to SV III General Contractor, Inc., to repair a storage building at the refuge. The repair work will involve extending the concrete floor under the storage building, which is used to shelter the refuge’s six boats.

The Chassahowitzka NWR, established in 1941, is comprised of over 31,000 acres of saltwater bays, estuaries, and brackish marshes at the mouth of the Chassahowitzka River. The Service established the refuge to protect waterfowl habitat. Chassahowitzka NWR is home to over 250 species of birds, over 50 species of reptiles and amphibians, and at least 25 different species of mammals, including the endangered West Indian Manatee.

September 2011 Project Update: Refuge staff, volunteers, and partners completed the project to repair the 5-acre whooping crane pen observation blind in September 2009. To celebrate, the Service hosted a Whooping Crane Flyover Event that attracted over 500 members of the public, to re-introduce the cranes to the refuge.

In May 2010, SV III General Contractor, Inc., completed the project to repair the refuge’s pole barn, which is expected to help the refuge save money in the long term. In addition, the project created three temporary jobs.

For more information, visit the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge website!

Photos:

Whooping cranes in their pen at Chassahowitzka NWR

Originally posted 11/09/2009
Updated 09/01/2010
Page Completed 09/21/2011