U.S. Air Force and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Nature Based Solutions at MacDill Air Force Base
The Challenge
The natural configuration of the AFB provides significant opportunities to employ nature-based solutions, actions inspired by nature that rely on incorporation of natural features and processes. Nature-based solutions—several of which have been used on site in the past—can provide multiple advantages when used alone or in combination with “gray infrastructure” solutions (levees, seawalls, etc.). These benefits include reducing flood risk, protecting facilities and infrastructure, and supporting ecosystem service co-benefits and habitat creation (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers [USACE], 2023). In addition, use of nature-based solutions at MacDill AFB can provide a demonstration of the utility and opportunities of nature-based solutions to other stakeholders in the region. Potential high-value opportunities for nature-based solutions at the site include restoring the historical longshore bar system, expanding existing submerged shallow shelf habitat, and creating barrier islands. All nature-based solutions under consideration require sediment of varying characteristics for implementation.
The Approach
The Water Institute is facilitating a Structured Decision Making (SDM) process that will engage decision makers and the public on the NBS alternatives and lead to an engineering design of a chosen alternative. Upcoming field data collections will inform the development of a numerical model that will be used to evaluate each alternative.
For more information on the project or upcoming workshops, contact Diana Di Leonardo at ddileonardo@thewaterinstitute.org.
KEY TEAM MEMBERS
Director of Research Operations/Director of RESTORE Act Center of Excellence for Louisiana
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