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Jourdan River RAR

Resources at Risk for Jourdan River, Mississippi

I.	Spill Source Information
This report was prepared at 10:30 am EDT on September 14, 2005.
Information in the report is a general overview of the resources in the
area.

II.	Geographic Region Covered
The area covered by this report is Jourdan River.  This area does not
necessarily correspond to actual or potential spill locations.  Consult
other Hotline reports for location information.

III.	Expected Behavior of the Spilled Material
This report is not based on a spill of any specific product but does
provide a general overview of the resources in the area.

IV.	Shoreline Resources at Risk
The shoreline of Jourdan River is mostly salt marsh.  Shorelines
associated with the canals are sheltered solid man-made structures.

V.	Biological Resources at Risk
Included are general statements about the effects of oil on the various
biological resources.  The effects may vary based on the type of
contaminant, since the behavior, toxicity, and availability of the
material can vary from product to product.
	Fish - Numerous species of fish are present at this time of year
including, but not limited to, Atlantic croaker (spawning), bay anchovy
(spawning), catfish, gulf menhaden, silversides (spawning), red drum
(spawning), silver perch, southern kingfish, spot, sand seatrout,
spotted seatrout, stripped mullet, southern flounder, and threadfin
shad.  In general juvenile and larval fish are most sensitive to spilled
oil.  Fish in shallow water areas are more likely to be impacted, since
there is likely to be a higher concentration of oil in the water column.
Surface slicks usually do not have much of an impact on fish.
	Shellfish - Shellfish in the area include blue crab (spawning),
Brown shrimp, pink shrimp (spawning), and white shrimp (spawning).
There are oyster beds in Saint Louis Bay at the mouth of the Jourdan
River.  Juvenile and larval life stages of all of these shellfish are
also present in the area.  Shellfish in shallow water areas are more
likely to be impacted, since it is more probable that there is a higher
concentration of oil in the water column.  Surface slicks usually do not
have much of an impact on crabs and shrimp.  Crabs and oysters may be
contaminated by a heavy sinking oil.
	Birds - Present in the area are numerous species of shorebirds,
wading birds, osprey, white pelican, brown pelican (federally
endangered), bald eagle (federally threatened), peregrine falcon,
osprey, mottled duck, terns, double-crested cormorant, common loon, and
gulls.  October is the beginning of the migratory and overwintering
season for waterfowl.  Large numbers of waterfowl may be in the area
starting in October.
Diving birds (pelicans, cormorants) and waterfowl are usually at
greatest risk during oil spills, because they spend nearly all their
time on the water surface.  Waterfowl and wading birds may be directly
oiled, and can become oiled on the upper body and feathers by coming in
contact with oiled vegetation or wrack.  Shorebirds usually avoid oil,
but may be impacted by loss of feeding areas or intertidal prey,
particularly during migration periods.  Gulls, terns, and raptors may be
at risk because they are often attracted to and will prey on sick or
injured prey.  This behavior may result in oiling of feathers and the
ingestion of oil.
Oiling of birds reduces the buoyancy, water repellency, and insulation
provided by feathers, and may result in death by drowning or
hypothermia.  Preening of oiled feathers may also result in ingestion of
oil resulting in irritation, sickness, or death.  Bird oiling,
particularly for waterfowl and wading birds, may continue even after the
floating oil slicks have been removed, depending on the extent of oiled
vegetation. 
	Mammals - Beaver, mink, muskrat, raccoon, nutria, river otter,
and wild hogs may be found throughout the wetlands and waterways of this
area.  As with the birds oiling of these animals may reduce buoyancy,
water repellency, and insulation provided by the fur, and may result in
death by drowning or hypothermia.  Grooming of oiled fur may also result
in ingestion of oil which may subsequently lead to  irritation,
sickness, or death.  The spilled material may also cause irritation to
organs such as the eyes as well as the mucous membranes.
	Reptiles - American alligator (federally threatened), Gulf salt
marsh snake, and Mississippi diamondback terrapin are present in these
waters at this time.  The terrapins are nesting and hatching at this
time of year.  Oil may cause irritation and inflammation of the mucus
membranes, especially around the eyes and nostrils, in all of these
reptiles.

VI.	Human-Use Resources at Risk
There are several boat ramps and marinas located near the mouth of
Jourdan River.  Also along the shorelines are numerous archaeological
sites.