An overgrown salt marsh at Cooper?s Island is to be the first area of land linked to the former NASA tracking station to be brought back into public use.

By this September it should be possible for members of the public to walk around parts of the marsh and stroll along elevated wooden boardwalks to gain access to vantage points over the centre of the marsh.

The marsh lies across the road and to the south of Clearwater Beach. Work has already been done to rid the area of invasive species. The marsh is to be re-contoured and sediment deposits removed, which will have the effect of making the area lower than the surrounding land. To safeguard the public and motorists on the adjacent Cooper?s Island Road, the marsh will be fenced off.

Announcing the on-going project Environment Minister Neletha Butterfield said: ?The aim of the project is to re-mediate and restore over one acre of salt water marsh at the Cooper?s Island Nature Reserve for the ultimate benefit of our people in terms of preserving our environmental heritage and provide significant educational and environmental awareness opportunities.

?It will eventually be incorporated into eco-tours as the management plans for Cooper?s Island progress.

?In the short term the salt water marsh will be designed to allow for self guided tours, allowing residents and visitors to experience the rare and sensitive plant and wildlife in the marsh habitat.?

The deepening of the marshland will restore the tidal flows necessary to sustain marsh plants and wildlife, said the Minister.

?Following this the marsh will be replanted with predominantly native and endemic species.?

She added: ?Two vista points will be created on the periphery of the marsh to allow casual passers-by the opportunity to experience the marsh and its beauty.?