Terrestrial habitat development may include such low cost procedures as 

 liming, fertilizing, and seeding. It is generally compatible with subsequent 

 disposal operations. In most situations, a desirable vegetative cover can be 

 produced in one growing season (Smith 1978). Terrestrial habitat development 

 often requires continual management. Lack of public ownership of the disposal 

 area can cause management problems. 



Smith (1978) provided general guidelines for terrestrial habitat develop- 

 ment. Lunz et al. (1978) discussed considerations to help determine the need 

 for habitat development and Hunt et al. (1978) provided detailed guidelines 

 for terrestrial habitat development. Coastal Zone Resources Corporation (1977) 

 also provided background information. 



One should also consider possible contaminant uptake or runoff into near- 

 by streams. The conditions for availability of heavy metals are maximized 

 under the acid oxidizing conditions that are often present when formerly an- 

 oxic sediments are placed on dry land (Gambrell et al. 1977, Gambrell et al. 

 1978). Certain beneficial uses of dredged material, such as strip mine recla- 

 mation, filling barrow pits and quarries, and agricultural land enhancement 

 (Spaine et al. 1978), will impact existing habitats and produce new habitats. 

 In most circumstances, these types of projects will improve or have no effect 

 on fish and wildlife habitats. 



Island development . Reclamation of sandy dredged material islands and 

 land extensions has been studied in the upper ^^ississippi River. The River 

 Studies Center (1975) of the University of Wisconsin at La Crosse states that 

 the establishment of vegetation on barren disposal areas is feasible but may 

 be expensive. The most promising plant tested was the American beachgrass 

 ( Ammophilia brevigulata ) which can be easily established by planting clones or 

 plugs. Also recommended at lower elevations was the planting of willow cut- 

 tings to establish windbreaks parallel to the shorelines. Ziegler and Sohmer 

 (1977) listed several species that have naturally colonized disposal sites in 

 Pool 8 and some of these species may have a potential for artificial estab- 

 lishment. Larson (1974) recommended five measures which make dredged disposal 

 piles more productive: (a) planting, (b) fertilizing, (c) mulching, (d) cap- 

 ping with mud (fine-grained dredged material), and (e) v/atering. The methods 

 were only effective when three, or more of the measures were used. KcMahon and 

 Eckblad (1975) found that whey placed over the sand caused the formation of a 

 moisture holding crust that permitted seed germination and plant establish- 

 ment. 



Recent DMRP studies (Soots and Landin 1978) have indicated intensive use 

 of dredged material islands by coastal birds. However, a survey of the Upper 

 Mississippi River (Thompson and Landin 1978) indicated no dependence on dredg- 

 ed material islands by waterbirds. It was noted, though, that if human distur- 

 bance was limited, and bare sand nesting areas were provided (by discouraging 

 vegetation establishment), dredged material islands could be used by least 

 tern ( Sterna albifrons ). Robinson (1970) noted that dredged islands could be 

 placed in the lower (wide) end of navigational pools to lessen the wind fetch 

 and create habitat for wildlife. 



A by-product of the dairy industry. 



67 



