Environment
Louisiana Coastal Restoration Projects Move Forward
Construction of the River Reintroduction Into Maurepas Swamp Project is expected to begin in October.
Image courtesy of Coastal Protection Restoration Authority
Louisiana’s Coastal Protection Restoration Authority is moving forward with more than 100 active coastal restoration projects, nearly 40 of which are currently under construction. The organization has multiple projects still in the engineering and design work stages, with some in the early planning phases.
Active projects range in size and location, but all share the goal of preserving the state’s significantly exposed coastline and pristine marsh ecosystems. The authority recently awarded the first construction contract for the River Reintroduction Into Maurepas Swamp Project, which is expected to begin in October. Designed as a freshwater diversion, this project will assist as mitigation for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers West Shore Lake Pontchartrain Levee System and marks the first time the state and federal government have partnered on this type of restoration effort.
The Labranche and Lake Borgne Marsh Creation projects are also under construction. While these types of projects typically take place far from public view, citizens can track the Labranche’s progress from the Bonnet Carre Spillway, giving Interstate 10 travelers a front and center view. The Lake Borgne Project carries its own level of attention since it holds the record as the largest marsh recreation project in Louisiana and should increase its size by an additional 2,800 acres.
With the battering endured by several hurricanes and saltwater intrusion, the authority is directing significant attention to southwest Louisiana. Multiple shoreline and marsh recreation projects are currently progressing. A groundbreaking ceremony is planned for October to initiate the start of the Southwest Coastal Project, which is being led by the Corps. It will combine ecosystem restoration with raising multiple structures across Cameron, Calcasieu and Vermilion parishes.
Several authority projects remain in engineering and design, with two promising remarkable results. The Chandeleur Island Restoration Project, for instance, will have a price tag exceeding $300 million with the goal of replacing 90% of its landmass lost as a result of Hurricane Georges in 1998 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Compounding the problems, the Deepwater Horizon spill contaminated the land with oil and negatively impacted the bird population, vegetation, seagrasses and area fisheries. The Chandeleur Island Restoration will restore 13 miles of this barrier island chain, restore nesting habitat for the bird population, enhance sea turtle hatchlings and restore vegetation above and beneath the water’s surface while creating new land and restoring what remains.
The Bird’s Foot Delta Hydraulic Restoration project, currently in design, will be tasked with increasing riverine flow to the Eastern Bird’s Foot Delta. The increased flow will be utilized for a natural land building process at the crevasses and passes. With the potential to add landmass and provide additional habitat for birds and wildlife, the project has gained a substantial portion of public attention.
While early-staged projects move to the next phase and current projects continue forward, the authority will continue to roll out its coastal master plan. Each project that comes to fruition concentrates on preserving the state’s coast, ecosystems and natural resources that suffer from the continual threat of flood risk and ongoing land loss.