Habitat Development Field Investigations, Miller Sands Marsh and Upland Habitat Development Site, Columbia River, Oregon

A two and one-half year field investigation was conducted at Miller Sands Island, a tidal freshwater, dredged material disposal site in the Columbia River, Oregon. The field study was conducted to test the feasibility and the impact of developing marsh and upland habitats on dredged material. Summarized within this report are baseline information obtained before habitat development operations and results of post-development operational studies. Selected plant species were planted on both intertidal and upland areas of Miller Sands Island. Data were collected to determine plant survival and performance in response to tidal inundation, varied fertilizer treatments, wildlife utilization, planting methods, and plant invasion. Data were also collected to document changes in the aquatic and terrestrial animal communities before, during, and after plant propagation activities. After about one year of development, planted habitats at the field site are expanding and are expected to provide additional future wildlife habitat as plant succession continues. (Author) See also Appendix A, AD-A074 873.