PROJECTS

Projects proposed through the Breaux Act are evaluated by CRD, along with five federal agencies and associated committees, in order to prepare a ranked list of candidate projects. Proposed projects are ranked based on cost-effectiveness, longevity, risk, supporting partnerships, public support, and support of the Breaux Act goals.

The federal cost-share for Louisiana’s coastal wetlands restoration projects is 85 percent of the cost of the project, the State is then responsible for the remaining 15 percent of the cost. The balance of the State share may take the form of lands, easements, or right-of-way, or any other form of in-kind contribution determined to be appropriate by the lead Task Force member. (US Code: Title 16, Chapter 59A - Wetlands)

A numerical computer model, the Wetland Value Assessment, is used to calculate the predicted changes in fish and wildlife habitat for each proposed project and makes comparisons over a 20-year period for predicted future conditions with and without the proposed restoration project. The candidate projects are presented in coastwide public meetings to solicit comments. The combined outcome of these various evaluation methods is used to select the final list of projects, the Priority Project List (PPL), approved for implementation each year.

Following project selection, during the initial planning phase, the conceptualized project proceeds through a two phased process that provides for more efficient fund allocation. Phase I, referred to as “Engineering and Design,” is an in-depth process by which engineers and biologists further develop and assess the benefits of the proposed project. During the engineering and design phase, the ecological review process evaluates each project’s ecological benefits, engineering features, goals, and strategies are evaluated. This evaluation utilizes monitoring and engineering information, as well as applicable scientific literature, to assess whether or not, and to what degree, the proposed project features will cause the desired ecological response. Phase II, referred to as “Construction and Monitoring,” involves the actual building and subsequent monitoring of the project.

RESTORATION:

Freshwater Diversion

This controlled diversion uses gates or siphons to regulate the volume of water flow. Freshwater is channeled form a nearby river or waterbody into surrounding wetlands. This infusion of water, sediment, and nutrients helps slow saltwater intrusion and promotes the growth of a new marsh. An example of a freshwater diversion is the Davis Pond Freshwater Diversion (BA-01).      

Davis Pond Freshwater Diversion

Outfall Management

A variety of techniques are used to regulate the flow of freshwater diversions to ensure that water and sediment reach needed areas. These techniques maximize the benefits of freshwater diversions and can involve regulating water levels and direction of water flow to increase the dispersion and retention time of fresh water, nutrients, and sediment in the marsh. The water flow may be regulated by a combination of gates, locks, weirs, canal plugs, and gaps cut in artificial levee banks. One example is the Caernarvon Diversion Outfall Management (BS-03a).

Caernarvon Freshwater Diversion Outfall Management Structure

Sediment Diversions

This uncontrolled diversion promotes the creation of new marsh in place of open-water areas. A gap (called a crevasse) is cut into a river levee, allowing river water and sediment to flow into nearby wetlands and mimic natural land-building processes.  An example of an uncontrolled river diversion is the West Bay Sediment Diversion (MR-03).

West Bay Sediment Diversion

Dredged Material/Marsh Creation

Dredged material/marsh creation projects involve the beneficial use of sediment that is frequently dredged for maintenance of navigation channels and access canals, or material may be dredged specifically for marsh creation. The material is placed in a deteriorated wetland at specific elevations so that desired marsh plants will colonize and grow to form new marsh. The dredged material/marsh creation technique was used in the Bayou LaBranche Wetland Creation Project (PO-17).

Bayou LaBranche Wetland Creation Project

Shoreline Protection

Shoreline protection projects involve various techniques designed to decrease or halt shoreline erosion. Some techniques, such as rock berms, are applied directly to the eroding shoreline; other, techniques, such as segmented breakwaters and wave-damping fences, are placed in the adjacent open water in order to decrease a wave’s energy before it hits the shoreline and to promote the buildup of sediment. Examples of shoreline protection include Bayou Chevee Shoreline Protection (PO-22) and Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge Shoreline Protection (ME-09).

Cameron Prairie Shoreline Protection Project

Sediment and Nutrient Trapping

Sediment and nutrient trapping projects create new land and protect nearby marshes by means of structures that are designed to slow water flow and promote the buildup of sediment. Examples include brush fences, such as Christmas tree brush fences, which work best in low-energy environments, and shallow bay terraces, which involve dredging sediment from a shallow bay and placing it above the water level in the form of land ridges. A restoration project that utilized sediment and nutrient trapping was the Little Vermilion Bay Sediment Trapping (TV-12).

Little Vermilion Bay Sediment Trapping Project

Hydrologic Restoration

These projects involve reverting human-altered drainage patterns toward more natural drainage patterns in an attempt to address problems associated with artificially altered hydrology. On a large scale, this technique may involve locks or gates on major navigation channels; on a smaller scale, it may involve blocking dredged canals or cutting gaps in levee banks that were created by canal dredging. The Hopedale Hydrologic Restoration (PO-24) project is an example of this type of restoration strategy.

Hopedale Hydrologic Restoration Project

Marsh Management

This type of project has historically been used to manage land for waterfowl and furbearers. This wetland restoration technique involves controlling the water level and/or salinity in an impounded marsh area. A variety of structures can be employed with different capacities of altering water levels and salinities in order to achieve the regrowth of desired vegetation and wildlife habitat. An example is the East Mud Lake Marsh Management (CS-20) Project.

East Mud Lake Marsh Management Project

 Barrier Island Restoration

Barrier island restoration projects are designed specifically to protect and restore the features unique to Louisiana’s barrier island chains. This type of project may incorporate a variety of restoration techniques, such as the placement of dredged material to increase island height and width, the placement of structures to protect the island from erosive forces, and the placement of sand-trapping fences, which are used in conjunction with vegetation plantings, to build and stabilize sand dunes on barrier island beaches. An example of a barrier island restoration project is the East/West Grand Terre Islands Restoration (BA-30).

East/West Grand Terre Islands Restoration Project

Vegetation Planting

Vegetation planting projects are used both alone and in conjunction with shoreline protection, barrier island restoration, marsh creation, and sediment and nutrient trapping restoration techniques. This technique involves the use of flood-tolerant marsh plants that will hold sediments together and stabilize the soil with their roots as they become established in a new area. An example of this restoration strategy is the Chandeleur Islands Marsh Restoration (PO-27).

Chandeleur Islands Marsh Vegetation Planting Project

Demonstration Projects

Demonstration projects are small-scale, short-term projects that allow CRD and others to evaluate new, innovative restoration techniques. These projects will ultimately provide useful information for the design of future large-scale projects. One innovative demonstration project is the Lake Salvador Shore Protection Demonstration (BA-15) project.

Lake Salvador Protection Demonstration Project

PROTECTION:

Comite River Diversion

The authorized project will reduce stages on the Comite River from the diversion point to the confluence with the Amite River; on the Amite River from the confluence with the Comite River near Denham Springs to Port Vincent, Louisiana; on Hurricane Creek and Roberts Canal (tributaries to the Amite River); and on White's, Cypress and Baton Rouge Bayous that will be intercepted by the diversion channel.

Lake Pontchartrain and Vicinity Hurricane Protection - Jefferson Parish

Project features in East Jefferson include: a floodwall along the Jefferson-St. Charles Parish line; an enlarged levee along the Jefferson Parish Lakefront including four vehicular floodgates and floodwalls connecting the four Jefferson Parish lakefront pump stations to the lakefront hurricane protection levee alignment. Also included are two breakwaters in Lake Pontchartrain at two of the lakefront pump station discharge channels.

SELA - Orleans Parish Flood Control Project

The project includes channel and pump station improvements in the three parishes. The channel and pumping station improvements in Orleans and Jefferson Parishes support the parishes’ master drainage plans and generally provide flood protection on a level associated with a ten-year rainfall event, while also reducing damages for larger events. St. Tammany Parish plans would provide flood protection for various rainfall events.

Project Updates

The CPRA, through its implementation office, the Louisiana Office of Coastal Protection and Restoration, approved an annual plan for the fiscal year 2010 that outlines almost $1.4 billion in coastal restoration and protection projects to be built in Louisiana by 2012. Nearly 150 individual projects are listed in the plan including a host of wetland and beach restoration, barrier island restoration, shoreline protection, freshwater diversion and beneficial use of dredge spoil projects.