Several of these are designated in the Chesapeake Bay on islands. The latest approaches encourage the use of geotextile tubes instead of riprap and hard surfaces as containment dikes. We proposed to conduct research to evaluate the use of such created wetland sites by migratory birds relative to those of natural, control marsh sites. Several years may be required before the project is completed and before vegetation becomes established.
Sites require monitoring over a series of years to determine their success.
To date, work has been initiated at Smith Island, Fair Island, and Poplar Islands in Chesapeake Bay. At the first two sites, problems associated with geotextile tube installation rendered the sites too exposed to wave action so that sand and vegetation were constantly being shifted. Wildlife use therefore has been minimal. At Poplar, data were collected at marsh reference sites, and the remnant islands, on nesting and feeding birds in 1996. The construction phase is to begin in summer 1997.