(The Center Square) — The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority has marked significant progress in its ongoing efforts to safeguard Louisiana’s coast, detailing an extensive portfolio of 109 projects across various stages of development.
The agency’s end-of-year review highlights substantial investments in hurricane protection, wetland restoration, and community resilience initiatives. Of the 109 projects, the authority is advancing 16 hurricane protection efforts, including 15 in the engineering and design phase and two in planning.
The the authority expressed their gratitude to Louisiana in voting to pass the constitutional amendment which will direct federal revenues from offshore wind into the the authority’s fund.
“These funds will allow us to reinvest millions of dollars directly into strengthening our flood defenses and protecting residents,” the authority Chairman Gordy Dave said.
Wetland restoration dominates the workload, with 11 marsh creation projects under construction and 24 in design. Shoreline protection has six projects in construction, while ridge restoration and bank stabilization are focused on the design phase.
Barrier island rehabilitation includes one active project and three in design, and hydrologic restoration efforts feature one construction project alongside five in design.
Local collaboration has also been pivotal. With state funding, the authority is supporting parish-led efforts such as the Bayou Pigeon Boat Launch project, a $2 million construction currently underway.
This year, the authority commenced 16 new construction projects valued at $3 billion, with $324 million invested in active initiatives. These efforts have restored over 10,000 acres of wetlands, including the creation of 2,734 acres through dredging operations that pumped 15.5 million cubic yards of sediment.
Additionally, 11.3 miles of levees were upgraded across the state. Notable completions include the Cypremort Point State Park project, which enhanced roadways, recreational facilities, and shoreline protection in Iberia and St. Mary parishes.
The Freshwater Bayou Shoreline Protection project stabilized two miles of bankline, while the Long Point Bayou Marsh Creation project added critical habitat in Cameron Parish.
In-Progress Projects Promise Further Resilience Several large-scale initiatives are underway, including the LaBranche East Marsh Creation in St. Charles Parish, designed to restore natural habitat and enhance storm resilience.
In Jefferson Parish, the Grand Isle Beach and Dune Restoration is shaping four miles of beach and preparing shoreline breakwaters — submerged structures that mitigate wave energy and prevent erosion.
Other key efforts include the Lake Borgne Marsh Creation in St. Bernard Parish, a 3,200-acre restoration using eight marsh creation cells. The Chandeleur Island Restoration, still in the design phase, is a $300 million effort to address the near-total erosion of this critical habitat.
Glenn Ledet, Jr., the authority’s executive director, said that Hurricane Francine demonstrated the protective value of the authority’s completed projects, showcasing how levees and other defenses have mitigated damage in vulnerable areas.
Ongoing recovery efforts include the West Shore Lake Pontchartrain levee system and the River Reintroduction into Maurepas Swamp project, spanning three parishes.
Groundbreakings this year included Phase 2 of the Houma Navigation Canal Lock Complex in Dulac, a vital storm risk reduction system for Houma, and the Morganza-to-the-Gulf system.
Additionally, a groundbreaking in Southwest Louisiana marked the start of a project to elevate 4,000 homes and businesses, combined with 11 miles of shoreline stabilization.
The the authority’s $1.7 billion annual plan, unanimously approved by the Legislature, secures major funding for projects statewide.
Key allocations include $130 million for the Maurepas Swamp reintroduction, $163 million for the Houma Lock Complex, and $14.8 million from FEMA for Lake Lery Marsh Creation and Rim Restoration.
