Both the State of Mississippi and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regu-
lations allow this type of structure, provided the bulkhead is construc-
ted at or above the watermark of ordinary high tide. This guideline is
necessary to prevent the loss of the fringe marsh and submerged waterbot-
toms. When a bulkhead is constructed waterward of mean high tide, either
through ignorance or defiance of the regulations, the standard comment is
for removal of the bulkhead back to a point above the watermark of ordi-
nary high tide and restoration of the area to preexisting conditions.
Unfortunately, when illegal construction has resulted in the loss of
fringe marsh, this action rarely results in the return to preexisting
project conditions.
In the Spring of 1979, two residential bulkheads were constructed on
adjacent lots located on Bayou Bernard in Harrison County, Mississippi.
The construction of both resulted in the loss of a small, but important,
fringe of smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora) along the natural bank.
In both cases, after a long and lengthy process of negotiation, both bulk-
heads were removed and reconstructed at the mean high tide line. No pro-
visions were made for revegetating the fringe marsh. It has been 3 years
since the restorations were implemented and today the fringe marsh has
not reappeared. The main reason for lack of revegetation has to do with
the continuous boat traffic in the area. The area is heavily used by
recreational boaters and the resulting wave energy from both, the boats
themselves and the backwash off the straight faced bulkheads, has pre-
vented the coarse smooth cordgrass from reestablishing in the areas.
Although the restoration did result in the reestablishment of the
waterbottoms in the area, important fringe marsh has been lost forever.
The action resulted in considerable expense and trouble by the individual


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