CHAPTER IV: WILDLIFE HABITATS FOR MISSISSIPPI’S SGCN,
THREATS AND CONSERVATION ACTIONS^261THREATS TO MISSISSIPPI SOUND
Incompatible Water Quality high
Over Exploitation/Incidental Capture high
Incompatible Resource Extraction Practices: Mining Sand for Beaches high
Miscellaneous Threats Described: Trawler Damage high
Channel Modification: Maintenance Dredging medium
Invasive Species medium
Miscellaneous Threats Described: Altered Hydrology medium
Miscellaneous Threats Described: Oil/Chemical Spills medium
Miscellaneous Threats Described: Marine Litter and Overboard Discharge medium
Industrial Development medium
Recreation Activities low
Urban/Suburban Development low
Operation of Dams/Impoundments: West Pearl Diversion, Etc. Low
PRIORITY CONSERVATION ACTIONS
A Plan and conduct additional research (i.e. habitat needs, status surveys, breeding status, disease,
etc.) on SGCN.
A Discourage/limit human access in highly critical areas and special habitats, when possible.
A Develop/implement/continue recovery plans for individual SGCN.
A Encourage restoration and improved management of altered/degraded habitat when possible.
A Encourage and improve agricultural/forestry/watershed land-use planning and BMPs to address
nonpoint pollution, erosion and water quality issues.
A Monitor/address SGCN harvest/over harvest issues (including bycatch or incidental take).
A Maintain/improve/restore hydrologic (depth, hydroperiod, flow) and geomorphic (channel
sinuosity, floodplain, microtopography) integrity.
A Encourage buffers and improve land use practices adjacent to streams (SMZs) and other aquatic/
wetland habitats.
A Monitor/limit commercial/residential/industrial point source erosion and sedimentation or
pollution into streams/atmosphere.
A Develop/improve urban/suburban/infrastructure land use development planning/zoning to
address SGCN habitats.
A Improve environmental review and permit process and oversight and enforcement of existing
regulations in important habitats/populations.
A Reduce wetland filling and ensure/encourage local, comparable mitigation for wetland loss and
maintain updated flood zone maps.
A Limit/discourage surface and ground water withdrawals that are not sustainable and significantly
alter flow, depth or salt intrusion.