WATERFOWL HABITAT CONSERVATION & ENHANCE

The small freshwater wetlands surrounding the Laguna Madre are essential resting and feeding sites for migratory birds, and adjacent agricultural fields also provide food, water, and shelter to many migratory birds.

The nationally protected area is one of the most important sites in the Gulf of Mexico for migratory waterfowl, where 15% of all migratory birds that arrive in Mexico from the United States and Canada spend the winter, including Wilson's Plover and Piping Plover.

This project will carry out fifteen specific objectives, including: 1) private conservation agreements with Los Compadres and Laguna Verde ranches for 9,880 acres in San Fernando and (5,809.44) acres in Soto La Marina; 2) enhancement of (489.06) acres in La Blanca Lagoon wetland in Los Compadres by clearing a drainage channel and removing wetland sediments; 3) enhancement of (271.7) acres in Laguna Verde ranch through removal of sediments on wetlands; 4) enhancement of 9,176.05 acres of the Barril Lagoon system through the recovery of the hydrological flow in the intersection of the 'Principal' and 'Las Vacas' drainage channels through rehabilitation of culverts; 5) a campaign for the control of invasive catfish species in the 'Principal' and 'Las Vacas' drainage channels through manual capture; 6) three Environmental Impact Assessment Exemptions for the authorization of restoration and enhancement activities and infrastructure for water flow rehabilitation; 7) a topographic study for the rehabilitation of the 'Principal and 'Las Vacas' drainage channel to calculate the appropriate levels to recover waterflow; 8) development of an ecotoxicological study to evaluate anthropogenic pollution in water quality, sediment, and aquatic organisms in selected areas of the north coast of Tamaulipas; 9) monitoring of migratory waterfowl at El Barril Lagoon, Los Compadres, and Laguna Verde; 10) development of studies and analysis of the environmental impact and risk necessary to ensure that c