Cat Island, a 2,802 acre barrier island and salt marsh in Harrison County, <strong>Mississippi</strong>, is made up ofa variety of ecosystems, including subtidal estuarine habitat, a barrier island pond/lagoon complex withpine-oak woodland, and offshore sea grass beds and mollusk reefs.The island is an excellent feeding, resting,and overwintering ground for migratory birds. Among the rare and endangered species which can befound on Cat Island are: American alligator, American kestrel, beach sand-squares, black-crowned nightheron, fan-shaped yellow-eyed grass, Gulf rockrose, <strong>Mississippi</strong> diamondback terrapin, myrtle-leaf oak,osprey, slender-leaf clammy-weed, and snowy plover. Cat Island is also a known rookery for the least ternand the black skimmer. Cat Island was privately owned until the island was transferred to the Gulf IslandsNational <strong>Sea</strong>shore in 2000.Regulation:There are two levels of regulations within the <strong>Mississippi</strong> portion of the Gulf Islands National <strong>Sea</strong>shore.First, the entire barrier island system is managed by the NPS as a National <strong>Sea</strong>shore. In addition, Hornand Petit Bois Islands are federally-designated wilderness areas.The regulations issued by the NPS for the National <strong>Sea</strong>shore can be found at 36 C.F.R § 7.12. In general,the following types of recreation are allowed within the National <strong>Sea</strong>shore: fishing, swimming, boating,and hiking. Camping is also allowed on East Ship, Horn, and Petit Bois Islands. The use of personalwatercraft is prohibited. (36 C.F.R. § 3.24).Approximately 1,800 acres of the National <strong>Sea</strong>shore received heightened protection when Horn andPetit Bois Islands were designated wilderness areas in 1978 (Public Law 95-625, 92 Stat. 3489 (Nov.10, 1978)).These islands are managed in accordance with the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. §§ 1131-1136),which requires the NPS to administer the area “for the use and enjoyment of the American people in suchmanner as will leave them unimpaired for future use and enjoyment as wilderness.” A wilderness is“anarea where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man.” It is also defined as “an areaof undeveloped Federal land retaining its primeval character and influence, without permanent improvementsor human habitation . . .” (16 U.S.C. § 1131(c)). No commercial enterprise, permanent road, structuresor installations are allowed in wilderness areas. Motorized vehicles and equipment are also prohibited.(16 U.S.C. §1133(c)).Primary Information Sources:Gulf Islands National <strong>Sea</strong>shore website - http://www.nps.gov/guis/<strong>Mississippi</strong> DMR GEMS website - http://www.dmr.state.ms.us/Coastal-Ecology/GEMS/Gems-Home.htmGulf Island National <strong>Sea</strong>shoreCourtesy of National Park ServiceMarine Protected Areas in the Gulf of Mexico: A Survey 9 100
Sandhill CranesCourtesy of USFWSPhotograph by John & Karen HollingswrothSandhill Crane National Wildlife RefugeAuthorizing Legislation: National Wildlife Refuge System (16 U.S.C. §668dd)Date of Designation: November 25, 1975Management Agency: U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceManagement Goal: To provide habitat for the endangered <strong>Mississippi</strong> Sandhill Crane, whose populationshave declined due to alteration of coastal wetlands and fire suppression, which compromises the savannahabitat upon which the birds depend.Site Description:Located in Jackson County near Gautier and Ocean Springs, the <strong>Mississippi</strong> Sandhill Crane NationalWildlife Refuge consists of 19,716 acres.The key habitat areas within the Refuge are the “wet savannas,”which occur in nutrient poor moist sandy soils. These areas have very high plant diversity with scatteredtrees, open grassy areas, and other herbaceous plants.The restoration and enhancement of these areas arethe primary Refuge missions, as they provide crucial feeding and breeding grounds for the sandhill crane.Other habitat types occur within the refuge, including pine scrub, forested swamps, and tidal marshes.Regulation:Most of the interior of the Refuge is closed to the public to protect the endangered sandhill cranes. TheFWS prohibits hunting, fishing, and the removal of plants, animals, and archeological material. Hiking ispermitted in designated areas and the FWS leads scheduled tours to blinds overlooking crane feeding areasin January and February.Primary Information Source: <strong>Mississippi</strong> Sandhill Crane NWR website -http://mississippisandhillcrane.fws.gov/101 - Marine Protected Areas in the Gulf of Mexico: A Survey
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