The Problem:
Mississippi DMR has responsibility for reviewing and issuing permits to fill and develop wetlands in the coastal areas within its jurisdiction. Development pressures are accelerating and program staff face the challenge of approving permits without knowing the cumulative impacts of development on important wetland functions.

The Solution:
GDM developed a watershed assessment for coastal counties to identify key resources and wetland functions that are impacted or in danger of being impacted by cumulative effects of development.

Approach
EPA's Watershed Planning Approach is being used to organize DMR's assessment and related activities. GDM integrated data from multiple state and federal agencies, developed new GIS base map layers, and developed ecological, GIS-based modeling to provide a rational basis for setting priorities among coastal subwatersheds for permitting, mitigation, restoration, acquisition, or enhancement activities. Aspects of the approach included:

• Needs Assessment to determine data requirements for base mapping and GIS applications.
• Developing 1:24,000-scale USGS Digital Line Graph hydrography, transportation, and boundary data for DMR's GIS base map needs and for input to the watershed assessment.
• Applying EPA Synoptic Approach for prioritizing limited agency resources among subwatersheds.
• Developing wetland delineations based on a preliminary assessment of wetland functions.
• Integrating DMR permit data with land use from recent satellite imagery, water quality monitoring data, protected resource areas (oysters, coastal preserves, sensitive habitats, reefs), land use zoning, growth projections, and water use.
• Prioritizing watersheds based on cumulative impacts, habitat values, habitat fragmentation, optimal sites for restoration and improvement, water quality values, and storm water mitigation values.
• Developing spatial models of the wetlands assessment that can be adapted to new data and permit priorities.
• Developing graphics and maps to assist with stakeholder involvement, public education, and communication