Project Summary

Constantine Engineering performed an Environmental Assessment of the headwaters of Perdido Creek for the Creek Indian Enterprises Development Authority:

• Improved water quality, habitat, hydrology and public access for recreation
• Restored the natural stream alignment in order to prevent stagnate waters from collecting
• Emergent and forested wetlands were enhanced by removal of non-native species and re -introduction and planting of native species

Environmental Assessment for the Perdido Headwaters Restoration Project - Poarch Creek

On behalf of the Creek Indian Enterprises Development Authority (CIEDA), Constantine Engineering, Inc. prepared an Environmental and Land Use Assessment (ELUA) for the proposed restoration of four segments of the Perdido Headwaters to improve the hydrology and water quality of Perdido Creek, which passes through the Poarch Band of Creek Indians (PBCI) land near Atmore, Alabama. The assessment area consists of approximately 190 acres with three stream segments and one tributary segment and includes both tribal trust property and fee property owned by the PBCI.

The ELUA provided assessments of the environmental, archeological, cultural and hydrological resources within the project boundaries. The ELUA also serves as master plan, providing appropriate design and engineering studies, construction drawings and specifications and preliminary cost estimates.

The primary goals of the Restoration Project are to achieve an increase in total wetland area, improve water quality and hydrology, restore native vegetation and wildlife species to the area, and enhance public access and recreation. The agricultural lands to the east of the project area should also be improved or retrofitted with stormwater management systems to improve water quality within the Perdido Headwaters.

The lands surveyed during this environmental assessment are considered the headwaters of Perdido Creek watershed and are important to the historical preservation of the tribe. Areas of these lands have been degraded by sand and gravel mining, agriculture, residential and other land uses. The project assessed the extent and character of the existing environmental resources within the project boundaries and to account for potential impacts.

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