The Deepwater Horizon Louisiana Trustee Implementation Group has approved a final restoration plan for two major coastal restoration projects: the East Orleans Landbridge Restoration Project and the Raccoon Island Restoration Project.
The Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA), as the lead Trustee for the State of Louisiana, said that they worked alongside its state and federal partners to advance the plan, which represents an estimated $265.7 million investment in Louisiana’s coast.
“Louisiana’s coast is essential to our communities, our economy and our way of life, and restoring these critical habitats is an investment in our state’s future,” said CPRA Chairman, Gordon “Gordy” Dove. “The East Orleans Landbridge and Raccoon Island projects will help rebuild important wetlands and barrier island habitat that support our fisheries, wildlife and coastal communities.”
The final plan will restore up to 1,700 acres of wetlands, coastal and nearshore habitats impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The approval advances efforts to restore critical natural resources, strengthen coastal ecosystems and support the long-term sustainability of Louisiana’s coast, CPRA said.
The East Orleans Landbridge Restoration Project, with an estimated cost of $109.4 million, will create and restore marsh habitat along the landbridge separating Lake Pontchartrain from Lake Borgne and the Gulf. The selected alternative will restore up to 1,320 acres of wetland habitat and provide approximately 14,867 linear feet of shoreline protection, helping sustain the ecological functions of this important coastal landscape.
The Raccoon Island Restoration Project, with an estimated cost of $156.3 million, will restore up to 410 acres of barrier island habitat by placing sediment to create and enhance beaches, dunes, and marshes. The selected design also includes maintaining existing Gulfside breakwaters, constructing four bayside breakwaters, and building nine living shoreline structures. These improvements will help protect the island and provide important habitat for birds, fish, and shellfish.
With approval secured, the selected projects can move forward toward implementation. Funding will come from the Deepwater Horizon restoration allocation for wetlands, coastal, and nearshore habitats.