Coastal Wetlands 

Planning, 

Protection and 

Restoration Act

(CWPPRA)

The 2006

Evaluation Report

to the U.S. Congress

on the

Effectiveness of Coastal Wetlands

Planning, Protection and 

Restoration Act Projects



iii

Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act (CWPPRA)

The 2006

Evaluation Report

to the U.S. Congress

on the

Effectiveness of Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and 

Restoration Act Projects

Suggested Citation

Louisiana Coastal Wetlands Conservation and Restoration Task Force. 2006. The 2006 Evaluation Report to 

the U.S. Congress on the Effectiveness of Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act Projects. 

Submitted by Chairman of the Louisiana Coastal Wetlands Conservation and Restoration Task Force, U.S. 

Army Corps of Engineers – New Orleans District 73 pp.

Map images provided by the USGS National Wetlands Research Center.

Document direction and review provided by the 2006 CWPPRA Report to Congress Working Group.
iv

Documentation

This report is submitted by the Louisiana Coastal Wetlands Conservation and Restoration Task Force in accordance with the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act (CWPPRA), Title IIIof Public Law 

101-646, commonly referred to as the “Breaux Act.” This report fulfi lls the Breaux Act mandate, which requires a report to the U.S. Congress every three years on the effectiveness of Louisiana’s coastal wetland restoration projects.

CWPPRA Task Force Member Agencies

• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (represented by New Orleans District): contact tel. 504-862-2204 or URL at

http://www.mvn.usace.army.mil/pd/cwppra_mission.htm

• U.S. Department of the Interior (represented by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service): contact tel. 337-291-3100 or 

URL at http://www.fws.gov/coastal/CoastalGrants/

• U.S. Department of Agriculture (represented by Natural Resources Conservation Service): 

contact tel. 318-473-7690 or URL at http://www.la.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/cwppra.html

• U.S. Department of Commerce (represented by NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service): contact tel. 

225-389-0508 or URL at http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/habitat/restoration/projects_programs/CWPPRA/

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (represented by Water Quality Protection Division

of EPA Region 6): contact tel. 214-665-7275 or URL at http://www.epa.gov/region06/6wq/at/cwppra.htm

• Louisiana’s Governor’s Offi ce (represented by Governor’s Offi ce of Coastal Activities): 

contact tel. 225-342-3968 or URL at http://www.goca.state.la.us/CWPPRA-Home.html

Websites

LaCoast is the offi cial CWPPRA website and has a complete project listing and technical documents online 

URL at http://www.lacoast.gov/cwppra/index.htm

The CWPPRA program is administered through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. A CWPPRA Organizational Chart, Standard Operating Procedures, Annual Priority Project List (PPL) reports, and Administrative 

Proceedings documentation are publicly available on the New Orleans District website at URL at http://www.

mvn.usace.army.mil/pd/cwppra_mission.htm.

Acknowledgements

The CWPPRA Task Force wishes to thank Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco and the State and Federal 

Louisiana Delegations for their support of this crucial program.

List of Acronyms & Terms

CIAP Coastal Impact Assistance Program

CPRA Coastal Protection and Restoration

Authority

CRCL Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana

CWPPRA Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection 

and Restoration Act

EPA Environmental Protection Agency

GIWW Gulf Intracoastal Waterway

Gulf Gulf of Mexico

LaCPR Louisiana Coastal Protection and

Restoration

LCA Study Louisiana Coastal Area, Louisiana

Ecosystem Restoration Study

LDNR Louisiana Department of Natural 

Resources

LOOP Louisiana Offshore Oil Port

MRGO Mississippi River Gulf Outlet

NMFS National Marine Fisheries Service

NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric

Administration

NRCS Natural Resources Conservation Service

OCS Outer Continental Shelf

PPL Priority Project List

State State of Louisiana

USACE U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

USFWS U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

USGS U.S. Geological Survey

WVA Wetland Value Assessment
v

Table of Contents

Executive Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vii

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Louisiana’s Working Coast in Crisis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Wetland Loss and Coastal Louisiana Functions and Values . 5

How Much Land Is Louisiana Losing? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

National Energy and Economic Implications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

CWPPRA Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

A Collaborative Interagency Approach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Annual Priority Project List (PPL) Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Regional Planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

CWPPRA Effectiveness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Region 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Region 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Region 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Region 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Landscape-Level Planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Program Effectiveness in a Hurricane-Prone Coast . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Critical Programmatic Features of CWPPRA . . . . . . . . . . . 37

A Strategic Vision for CWPPRA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

CWPPRA’s Immediate Role in Louisiana’s Coastal Restoration Efforts . . 42

CWPPRA’s Future Role in Louisiana’s Coastal Restoration Efforts . . . . 44

Conclusions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Project Execution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Program Administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Continuing Need for CWPPRA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Strategic Vision for CWPPRA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Appendices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
vi
vii

The Coastal Wetlands Planning, 

Protection and Restoration Act 

(CWPPRA), enacted in 1990, authorizes a committee to select wetland 

restoration projects in Louisiana which 

are considered most benefi cial, and then 

designs, constructs, and monitors these projects. The multi-agency committee directing 

CWPPRA’s activities is the Task Force. The 

Task Force is comprised of the Departments of 

Army, Agriculture, Commerce and the Interior, 

along with the U.S. Environmental Protection 

Agency. The Louisiana Governor’s Offi ce 

of Coastal Activities represents the State of 

Louisiana (State) on the Task Force while the 

local cost share partner for project implementation is the Louisiana Department of Natural 

Resources. CWPPRA’s governing structure 

is a successful collaboration between governmental agencies. In 2004, the CWPPRA 

program and participating agencies received 

the Coastal America Partnership Award from 

Coastal America - a partnership program 

among Federal, State, and local governments, 

and private alliances to collaboratively address 

environmental issues.

Louisiana’s coast is appropriately referred 

to as a “working coast” due to the close 

relationship between the coast and its people. 

The coastal landscape is dominated by wetlands. Therefore, it is inevitable that human 

endeavors are affected by these wetlands and 

the wetlands themselves are affected by the 

combination of human activities and natural 

causes. This working coast is in crisis due to 

prolonged and continuing periods of wetland 

loss. CWPPRA has a record of successful restoration projects, but the scale of these projects 

and the entire program are not suffi cient to 

offset the high rates of ongoing wetland loss. 

The wetland loss crisis in Louisiana existed 

before the two major hurricanes, Katrina and 

Rita, of 2005. Making the situation worse, the 

devastating effects of these two hurricanes 

have created new levels of concern for the 

ecology, culture and economies, not only to 

the coastal region, but also at the national 

level.

During the 20th century, coastal Louisiana 

lost over 1.2 million acres (1,875 square 

miles), an area more than 25 times larger than 

Washington, D.C. Scientists estimate that the 

State will lose an additional 431,000 acres 

(673 square miles) by 2050. Preliminary 

estimates from the U.S. Geological Survey 

indicate that, as a result of Hurricanes Katrina 

and Rita, 138,880 acres (217 square miles) of 

land has been transformed to new open water 

areas in coastal Louisiana. In localized areas, 

potential wetland losses incurred from these 

two hurricanes exceed the estimated future 

land loss for the next 50 years.

CWPPRA project development and implementation is a transparent public process with 

regular public meetings and publicly accessible program documentation. The public 

gets involved and understands the process of 

selecting and designing projects. Although 

larger restoration programs are being considered, CWPPRA is a mature program that 

allows incremental adjustments as needed.

Approximately 90% of CWPPRA’s funds are 

spent on direct project costs. In the last 15 

years, the program has constructed, is constructing, or has approved for construction 78 

projects at a total cost of over $624.5 million. 

These projects are expected to re-establish or 

protect a total of approximately 70,616 net 

acres and enhance 320,354 acres of additional 

Executive 

Summary
viii

wetlands. Additionally, 47 projects at a total 

cost of approximately $913 million are in 

the engineering and design phase. These 

projects are anticipated to re-establish or 

protect approximately 32,665 net acres and 

enhance 194,859 acres of additional wetlands. 

Eleven of these projects (with a total cost of 

$245M) have been designed but have not been 

approved for construction due to CWPPRA’s 

annual funding limitations.

The fi ve Federal CWPPRA (Task Force) 

agencies have continued to work with the 

State to identify wetland areas in need of 

restoration that can be addressed through 

CWPPRA as well as needs for additional 

restoration beyond CWPPRA. Recognizing 

the defi ciency in comprehensive planning, 

the CWPPRA program produced the State’s 

fi rst comprehensive plan in 1993. In 1998, 

this comprehensive plan was updated with a 

more integrated, ecosystem-level plan called 

Coast 2050: Toward a Sustainable Coastal 

Louisiana. Through cooperative support 

of the CWPPRA agencies, the U.S. Army 

Corps of Engineers and the State of Louisiana 

completed the Louisiana Coastal Area (LCA), 

Louisiana Ecosystem Restoration Study in 

2003. This study expands upon the Coast 

2050 plan to facilitate the implementation of 

critical restoration features. In 2005, the State, 

in conjunction with coastal parishes, began to 

develop plans for implementing the Coastal 

Impact Assistance Program (CIAP) authorized 

by Congress through the Energy Policy Act of 

2005. These funds are designated to address 

the impact of Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) 

oil and gas production on the natural resources 

of the coastal area.

Since Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, statewide 

coastal planning has accelerated with emphasis 

on both coastal restoration activities benefi ting 

coastal habitats and hurricane protection. The 

Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration 

Project (LaCPR) was authorized by Congress 

late in 2005 and directed the Army Corps of 

Engineers (New Orleans District), in partnership with the State of Louisiana, to identify, 

describe and propose a full range of fl ood 

control, coastal restoration, and hurricane 

protection measures for south Louisiana within 

a 24-month period.

Under Act 8 of the First Extraordinary Session 

of the 2005 State Legislature, the Louisiana 

Wetlands Conservation and Restoration 

Authority was expanded to become the 

Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration 

Authority (CPRA) and authorized to integrate 

coastal restoration and hurricane protection 

activities. A State coastal master plan is being 

developed that will include all coastal projects 

regardless of funding or authorization. This 

master plan will integrate coastal restoration 

and hurricane protection and will be the 

general blueprint for coastal restoration and 

management activities in Louisiana.

The CWPPRA Task Force committee coordinates its activities with all of these programs 

and complements other coastal programs 

in Louisiana by working together to restore 

and sustain Louisiana’s coast. CWPPRA is 

the only program in which all fi ve Federal 

agencies formally participate and provide an 

integral network of technical expertise and 

coastal planning resources. Other programs 

are planned with the expectation that the 

CWPPRA program will continue to fulfi ll its 

role as a program that can react quickly with 

relatively smaller-scale projects that effectively address local needs and complement 

regional planning. The CWPPRA program has 

a distinctive niche in Louisiana’s coastal planning that is well understood and appreciated 

by the public.
ix

As the only joint Federal/State coastal 

restoration effort with a regular and recurring 

funding stream, the immediate future role 

of the CWPPRA program is to continue to 

pursue a full slate of coastal restoration activities. In addition to its ongoing activities, the 

CWPPRA program will pursue a partnership 

with CIAP to increase the effectiveness of both 

programs. The CWPPRA program will also 

strive to increase the exchange of “lessons 

learned” to improve project design, construction, and management. If the LCA Study, the 

LaCPR Project, the Louisiana Master Plan, 

and/or any other large scale Louisiana coastal 

restoration program becomes approved, suf- fi ciently funded, and successful at constructing 

major restoration projects, the CWPPRA 

program will re-evaluate its focus in coordination with other restoration programs. It may 

be appropriate for the CWPPRA program to 

shift its efforts away from any larger scale 

restoration project(s) to be constructed via 

one of those efforts and focus on its remaining 

slate of restoration activities, including but not 

limited to stabilizing the landscape in areas 

targeted by future larger scale restoration 

efforts and constructing synergistic projects 

to achieve landscape-level benefi ts in areas 

that may lack benefi t from the larger scale 

restoration efforts. With funding constraints 

removed, the CWPPRA program could 

greatly increase its “on the ground” restoration by constructing all of those projects not 

yet funded for construction, plus additional 

restoration projects that are not yet part of the 

CWPPRA program.

Whether or not any large scale Louisiana 

coastal restoration program gets approved and 

funded, the CWPPRA Task Force stands ready 

and has a vision to increase its contribution 

to reestablishing a sustainable ecosystem in 

coastal Louisiana.
x
1

Louisiana’s Working Coast in 

Crisis

Louisiana’s coast is appropriately referred to 

as a “working coast” due to its close relationship between the coast and its people. The 

coastal landscape is dominated by wetlands 

(Coleman 1998) and therefore, it is inevitable 

that human endeavors are affected by these 

wetlands and the wetlands themselves are 

affected by the combination of human activities and natural causes. In the 300 years since 

European settlement, major industries have 

grown allowing development of a signifi cant 

coastal infrastructure and unique coastal 

cultures. In addition to the natural resources, 

the coastal landscape provides an important 

buffer to impacts from hurricanes and storm 

surges. In response to the need to restore or 

protect Louisiana’s wetlands, Congress passed 

the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection 

and Restoration Act (CWPPRA) in 1990. 

Additionally in 2005, the Congress reauthorized the funding for the CWPPRA program 

through 2019. The CWPPRA program 

selects coastal wetland restoration projects 

in Louisiana which are considered most 

benefi cial, and then designs, constructs, and 

monitors these projects within the limitation of 

CWPPRA’s allowable funding.

The 2003 CWPPRA Report to Congress 

stated:

“Without the wetlands, all of these 

assets—and the national security they 

provide—would be located in the open 

water of the Gulf of Mexico and at high 

risk from storms. Halting Louisiana’s 

rate of wetland loss, therefore, is about 

more than saving a world-renowned 

ecosystem. It’s about preventing a 

national catastrophe with associated 

liabilities that could well exceed $100 

billion.”

Louisiana’s coast is susceptible to hurricanes 

(Stone 1997, Stone et al. 2003). Fortunately, 

its wetlands provide a natural buffer during 

storms by absorbing surging water. While 

wetlands can not prevent the devastating 

effects of major hurricanes such as Hurricanes 

Katrina and Rita in 2005, wetlands are known 

to signifi cantly reduce the storm surges 

associated with the more frequent tropical 

storms and smaller hurricanes. Observations 

by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on 

hurricanes striking the Louisiana coast suggest 

that coastal habitats have historically reduced 

storm surge elevation as surge water moved 

inland. In Louisiana’s fl at, low-lying coastal 

areas, these reductions in storm surge can 

mean the difference between an area that 

survives a storm and one that suffers signifi cant damage. The wetlands also enhance 

protection of infrastructure, much of which 

directly serves the Nation’s needs for energy, 

navigation, and fi sheries.

Introduction

Shrimp boats in Cocodrie, Louisiana.

Photo provided by J. Visser.
2

Energy is vital to the 

U.S. economy, and 

Louisiana’s coastal 

wetlands enhance protection of the Nation’s 

primary supplier. The 

oil and gas industries 

have concentrated 

their activities within 

south Louisiana to take 

advantage of the nearby 

refi ning facilities as well 

as the coast’s proximity 

to offshore exploration 

zones. Louisiana’s 18 

petroleum refi neries 

distill a combined crude 

oil capacity of more than 

2.7 million barrels per 

day, which is second 

only to Texas. The network of energy facilities 

located in and around 

Louisiana’s wetlands 

delivers more than 26% 

of both the Nation’s 

natural gas and crude 

oil supplies (Figures 1 

and 2). A great deal of 

infrastructure is required 

to support this level of 

activity. For example, 

approximately 14,000 

miles of pipelines run through the marshes 

of coastal Louisiana (USACE 2004). The 

wetlands enhance protection of these and other 

energy infrastructure from storm damage. 

Without the shelter provided by the wetlands, 

Louisiana’s energy infrastructure would be 

crippled, and the security of the Nation’s 

energy supply would be compromised. 

Thousands of miles of navigation channels are 

located in Louisiana’s wetlands. Thirty-three 

percent of the busiest ports in the U.S., ranked 

by total tons, are located in south Louisiana, 

handling cargo valued at over $75 billion. 

The wetlands protect these waterways from 

hurricanes and storm surge, and in doing so 

ensure the fl ow of goods to and from U.S. 

markets. This fl ow directly affects the ability 

of thousands of U.S. workers to do their jobs 

and obtain needed services.

Figure 1. 2003 US Marketed Gas Production by State

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

Trillion cubic feet

State 5.3 1.4 1.7 1.6 1.5 1.0 0.4 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.7

Fed. OCS 1.1 3.4 0.2 0.0

TX LA OK NM WY CO AL AK KS CA UT MI Other

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

Million Barrels

State 90 406 356 250 66 65 52 34 29 21 19 17 69

Fed. OCS 541 27 30 1

LA TX AK CA NM OK WY KS ND CO MO MS Other

Figure 2. 2003 US Oil Production by State
3

No other region in the U.S. supports the 

diverse fi sh and shellfi sh species seen in 

Louisiana’s wetlands. Louisiana is by far the 

Nation’s largest shrimp, oyster, and blue crab 

producer. Besides Alaska, Louisiana produced 

the Nation’s highest commercial marine 

fi sh landings (approximately $343 million) 

excluding mollusk landings (NMFS 2003). 

The region also provides almost one-third (by 

weight) of the fi sh harvested in the lower 48 

states. These resources are gathered in south 

Louisiana and shipped throughout the world, 

providing jobs for 40,000 Louisiana citizens 

alone, not to mention the thousands of jobs 

outside of Louisiana. In 2003, the retail sales 

level for the total commercial and recreational 

fi sheries harvest in coastal Louisiana was 

$2.85 billion. A preliminary estimate of 

the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and 

Fisheries indicates that the retail level losses 

to the State’s fi sheries industries due to 

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita will be at $2.3 

billion over the next two years.

The Mississippi Flyway passes directly over 

coastal Louisiana. More than 3.5 million 

migratory waterfowl spend the winter in 

Louisiana’s coastal wetlands. In addition, the 

woodlands provide stopover habitat to millions of neotropical migratory birds on their 

journeys across the Gulf of Mexico. Hundreds 

of bird species, as well as the jobs and recreational opportunities associated with birding, 

hunting, and eco-tourism, depend on coastal 

Louisiana habitats. In 2001, $1.6 billion was 

expended for fi sh and wildlife recreation with 

a return total economic benefi t of $6.2 billion. 

Louisiana’s coast directly supports national 

goals of energy security and trade enhancement, and facilitates fi sheries and wildlife 

conservation. However, this unique region 

Port Fourchon along the Louisiana Gulf Shoreline is a major support facility for offshore oil and gas activities in Federal 

OCS waters. These facilities are threatened by retreat of the shoreline, which increases their risk to hurricane damage 

and oil supply shut-downs.
4

is disappearing before our eyes, eliminating 

benefi ts that our Nation has relied on for 

decades. 

During the 20th century, coastal Louisiana lost 

over 1.2 million acres of wetlands or other 

coastal habitats. This land was converted to 

open water and generally will not return to its 

former condition without restoration. The loss 

of land is so intense that even elevated landforms such as natural levee ridges and cheniers 

are disappearing along the Louisiana coast. 

In some areas, the gulf shoreline is broken so 

the Gulf of Mexico is now moving into the 

estuarine areas. CWPPRA has successfully 

offset some of these losses by building critically important projects. Rates of land loss 

have generally declined from 1990 to 2000. 

However, the severity of recent hurricanes has 

caused signifi cant additional loss.

Damage caused by Hurricanes Katrina and 

Rita illustrated the national consequences 

of coastal land loss and the importance of 

integrating coastal restoration with hurricane 

protection. The 2005 hurricane season, which 

brought great devastation to the Gulf Coast, 

substantiated the peril to the Louisiana coast 

and to the Nation. In spite of the economic 

damage and ecologic loss by Hurricanes 

Katrina and Rita, there are many assets 

remaining that are benefi cial and essential to 

the Nation. The CWPPRA program continues 

to be a successful and vital wetland restoration 

program for Louisiana’s “working coast.”
5

Coastal wetlands protect all the 

natural resources generated within 

Louisiana’s coastal zone. However, 

these protective wetlands are vanishing rapidly, exposing more inland 

areas to the open waters of the Gulf 

of Mexico. The cumulative effects 

of human and natural activities in the 

coastal area have severely impaired 

the deltaic processes and shifted the 

coastal area from a condition of net 

land building to net land loss. While 

many studies have been conducted 

to identify the major contributing 

factors, most studies agree that land loss and 

the degradation of the coastal ecosystem are 

the result of both natural and human induced 

factors, producing conditions where wetland 

vegetation can no longer survive and wetlands 

are lost by conversion to open 

water (Boesch et al. 1994).

Establishing the relative 

contribution of natural and 

human-induced factors is diffi cult. Changes in hydrology 

and ecologic processes manifest 

gradually over decades and in 

large areas, while other effects, 

such as storm damage, can occur 

in a single day and impact relatively localized areas. For barrier 

shorelines, complex interactions 

between storm events, longshore sediment supply, coastal 

structures, and inlet dynamics 

contribute to the erosion and 

migration of beaches, islands, and 

cheniers. When the Mississippi 

River built the wetlands, its 

annual fl oods spread tons of 

water and sediment across south 

Louisiana, creating an ecosystem 

that endured for thousands of years. But in the 

last century, the river’s fl oods were contained 

by levees. Because the water and sediments 

from the river are channeled into the Gulf of 

Mexico, the wetlands do not receive the sediment and nutrients necessary to allow them 

Wetland Loss 

and Coastal 

Louisiana 

Functions and 

Values

Satellite imagery of the Mississippi River birdsfoot delta in 2003.
6

to be sustainable. Rising sea level, saltwater 

intrusion from petroleum exploration and 

navigation channels, subsidence, and a host of 

other contributing factors have resulted in land 

loss and degradation. As a result, the wetlands 

are rapidly converting to open water.

The loss of coastal Louisiana communities 

and habitats presents a high cost to the Nation. 

We are losing a vital and unique region of our 

country. Whether one considers the human 

cost, the risks to infrastructure, the danger to 

wildlife and landscape, or the loss of an entire 

way of life for many, it is clear that bold action 

must be taken (CRCL 2000).

How Much Land Is Louisiana 

Losing?

While Louisiana contains 30% of the Nation’s 

coastal marshes, 90% of all coastal marsh loss 

in the continental U.S. occurs in Louisiana. 

During the 20th century, coastal Louisiana 

lost over 1.2 million acres (1,875 square 

miles), an area more than 25 times larger than 

Washington, D.C. Scientists estimate that the 

State will lose an additional 431,000 acres 

(673 square miles) by 2050 (Barras et al. 2003, 

2004) (Figure 3). During the decade of 1990 

to 2000, land loss was approximately 15,300 

acres (24 square miles) per year, largely 

through conversion of vital coastal wetlands 

to open water. Preliminary estimates from the 

U.S. Geological Survey indicate that 138,880 

acres (217 square miles) of land has been 

transformed to new open water areas in coastal 

Louisiana as a result of Hurricanes Katrina 

and Rita (Barras 2006). The creation of vast 

areas of new open water further exposes the 

coast to the detrimental effects of powerful 

storms (USACE 2006). In localized areas, 

the potential wetland losses from these two 

hurricanes exceed the estimated future land 

loss for the next 50 years. Unfortunately, it 

has become common to hear south Louisiana 

Figure 3. Coastal land change from 1930 to 2000 and predictions of land change through the year 2050.
7

residents reminisce about tracts of land their 

families used to cultivate just 10 or 20 years 

ago that are now underwater.

As evidenced by recent events, the increased 

risk from hurricanes to infrastructure and 

human life due to the loss of these valuable 

wetlands cannot be ignored. According to 

2000 census data, approximately two million 

people, or over 50% of Louisiana’s citizens, 

live in Louisiana’s coastal parishes. The 

wetlands are an integral part of life for many 

residents. In addition, the cultural impact 

of the ecosystem can be traced to traditions 

of music, food, and living off the land that 

continue to this day. Much of what gives 

Louisiana its unique heritage fi nds its roots in 

the coast and the bayous.

National Energy and Economic 

Implications

 Louisiana’s coastal wetlands provide the 

setting for the region’s primary economic 

activities, such as oil and gas production and 

transportation, navigation, and commercial 

and recreational fi shing (Figure 4). If the 

rate of loss is not reduced, critical energy 

infrastructure may be damaged or destroyed. 

Oil and gas infrastructure constructed for 

inland conditions such as pipelines, offshore 

support centers, and components of the 

Strategic Petroleum Reserve will be exposed 

to the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico. As 

a result, the Nation can expect storm induced 

spills similar to those scattered throughout 

coastal Louisiana following the hurricanes 

of 2005. Should present trends continue, the 

Nation could experience further disruptions in 

the delivery and pricing of crude oil and gas. 

In addition to the inconvenience and expense 

of disruptions in energy supply, the long-term 

environmental impacts of recent oil spills have 

not been determined. The ability of wetlands 

to enhance protection of energy infrastructure 

is needed now more than ever.

Observations by the U.S. Army Corps of 

Engineers on hurricanes striking the Louisiana 

coast suggest that every 2.75-miles of coastal 

habitats may reduce surge elevation an average of one foot (Figure 5) (USACE 1965). 

Research investigations on Hurricane Andrew 

(1992) support the storm buffering capabilities of wetlands. Louisiana’s wetlands thus 

create a natural buffer zone on which all of 

Figure 4. Infrastructure located in Louisiana’s coastal zone.
8

the infrastructure and communities located 

in the coastal zone depend. Costanza et al. 

(1989) estimate the coast’s 2.5 million acres of 

wetlands have annual storm protection values 

of between $520 million and $2.2 billion.

Besides the needed protection Louisiana’s 

wetlands offer energy infrastructure, the 

coastal wetlands also contain nearly 3,000 

miles of deep and shallow-draft channels. 

Five of the 15 busiest ports in the U.S., ranked 

by total tons, are located in south Louisiana, 

handling cargo valued at over $75 billion. 

South Louisiana ports carry 21% of all U.S. 

waterborne commerce and ship 57% of U.S. 

grain exports. The ports and shipping lanes 

of coastal Louisiana serve as vital linkages 

between producers and consumers throughout 

the Nation and as gateways for international 

trade (USACE 2004). Two of the Nation’s 

most commercially important waterways, the 

Mississippi River and the Gulf Intracoastal 

Waterway (GIWW), traverse coastal 

Louisiana. As wetlands erode, it will become 

much more expensive to maintain national 

waterways and ports in south Louisiana. The 

wetlands protect these waterways from exposure to the open waters of the Gulf, including 

hurricanes and storm surge, and in doing so 

Overland Surge Elevations Coastal Louisiana

(USACE,1965) re-drafted

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32

Miles Inland

Surge Elevation in Feet M.S.L.

Surge Decrease 1 ft/2.75 miles

Figure 5. Observed storm surge elevation relative to the position inland for seven hurricanes impacting south 

Louisiana from 1909 to 1957 (re-drafted). Relationship implies coastal habitats can generally reduce surge 

by one foot for every 2.75 miles of coastal habitat (USACE, 1965).

Typical ship traffi c within Louisiana waterways. Photo 

provided by T. Carruthers, IAN Image Library.
9

they ensure the fl ow of goods to and from U.S. 

markets.

Coastal Louisiana contains 30% of U.S. 

coastal marshes and a vast majority of the 

Gulf coast marshes. The same coastal 

wetlands which protect energy infrastructure 

and facilitate the fl ow of commerce, are also 

essential habitats for fi sh and wildlife species. 

Louisiana’s coastal marshes are primary nursery grounds for commercially and recreationally important fi sheries species. In addition, 

coastal habitats support other recreational 

activities that contribute more than $220 million annually to Louisiana’s economy through 

swamp tours, hunting, hiking, bird watching, 

photography, and camping (Coreil 1994). In 

order for the fi shing industry and outdoor 

recreational activities to continue, Louisiana’s 

diverse coastal habitats must be restored, 

preserved, and well maintained. A healthy 

estuary is the foundation for maintaining these 

valuable habitats.

A healthy estuary provides a range of wetland 

habitat types that are largely dependent on the 

salinity of the surface water (Chabreck et al. 

2001). This gradient of water and habitats are 

the ecosystems that local and migratory fi sh 

utilize. A central characteristic of estuaries is 

their high productivity. Each wetland habitat 

type has plants, fi sh and wildlife that thrive in 

their unique environments within the estuarine 

gradient. Therefore, the productivity of the 

estuary is dependent on a balance of inputs of 

fresh water and gulf seawater.

The historic loss of wetlands and altered 

hydrology due to deep, straight navigation 

channels allow greater water movement 

from the Gulf of Mexico into the coastal 

wetlands. Seawater from the Gulf is allowed 

to move into the coast more easily and 

quickly. Continued wetland loss facilitates 

further movement of seawater into traditionally fresher habitat types. This movement 

facilitates conversion of fresher habitat types 

towards more saline habitat types. River 

reintroductions can offset salinity intrusion 

by introducing additional freshwater into the 

estuary. Estuary decline in places is dramatic 

where barrier islands or the gulf shoreline is 

compromised and the Gulf of Mexico is now 

expanding into the former estuary.

The Louisiana coastal wetland system represents critical breeding, spawning, foraging, 

and/or nursery grounds for a variety of fi sh 

Major Louisiana Estuarine Wetland Types

Habitat Type Plants Animals

Swamp

(~1/20 the salinity of seawater)

Baldcypress, water tupelo, and swamp red 

maple

Catfi sh, crawfi sh, ducks, song birds, 

mink, and black bears

Fresh marsh

(~1/20 the salinity of seawater) Maidencane, bulltongue, reed, and cattail Bass, frogs, ducks, wading birds, 

rabbits, and alligators

Intermediate marsh

(~1/10 the salinity of seawater) Bulltongue, sedges, and marshhay cordgrass Blue crabs, wading birds, muskrats, 

and alligators

Brackish marsh

(~1/3 the salinity of seawater) Marshhay cordgrass and saltgrass Oysters, shrimp, wading birds, and 

river otter

Saline marsh

(~1/2 the salinity of seawater)

Smooth cordgrass, saltgrass, and black 

mangrove

Seatrout, menhaden, pelicans, and 

dolphins
10

and shellfi sh species. No other state or area 

in the country supports the number and kind 

of species Louisiana produces. Louisiana is 

the Nation’s largest shrimp (~36%), oyster 

(~50%), and blue crab (~26%) producer. 

Dockside revenues for commercial fi sheries in 

coastal Louisiana were $274 million in 2005, 

the latest year for which statistics are available (USDOC 2005). The fi sh and shellfi sh 

harvested from Louisiana waters are shipped 

to local, state, national, and international 

markets. Coastal Louisiana’s wetlands contain 

a diversity of habitats and populations of fi sh 

and wildlife resources. In 2001, 1.6 million 

people engaged in fi shing, hunting and wildlife 

watching activities, expending a total of 

$1.6 billion in Louisiana. Total recreational 

retail sales for hunting, fi shing, boating, and 

wildlife watching in 2001 were estimated at 

$3.1 billion, with a total economic benefi t of 

$6.2 billion. Dramatic declines in commercial 

fi shing harvests have been predicted due to 

coastal wetland loss. Additionally, there are 

25 threatened or endangered species in the 

Louisiana coastal zone, including near-shore 

Gulf waters, which are dependent on coastal 

wetlands for their continued existence. The 

intrinsic value of these lands as a haven for 

thousands of plant and animal species is felt 

by all who visit coastal Louisiana.

The wetlands and other coastal habitats represent a precious asset not only because they 

support nationally and internationally important industries, but also because they provide 

direct storm protection for residents, and are a 

portion of our Nation’s natural heritage.

Freshwater wetlands within the Mississippi River hydrologic 

basin. Photo provided by USGS.
11

In 1990, awareness about the 

impacts of Louisiana’s land loss 

crisis was growing. In response, 

Congress enacted the Coastal Wetlands 

Planning, Protection and Restoration Act 

(CWPPRA), the fi rst Federal statutorily 

mandated restoration of Louisiana’s coastal 

wetlands and the fi rst stable source of Federal 

funds dedicated exclusively to the long-term 

restoration of coastal wetlands. Since then, 

Louisiana has received an average of approximately $50 million each year for coastal 

restoration projects through CWPPRA. In 

2004, Congress reauthorized the funding for 

the CWPPRA program through 2019. These 

Federal funds are currently matched by a 15% 

State contribution.

The CWPPRA program has been the State’s 

primary tool for responding to coastal wetland 

loss. It emphasizes practical benefi ts to habitats and human communities while supporting 

the economic use of this region which is 

exceptionally valuable to the Nation. Through 

CWPPRA, the Congress provides a consistent 

funding source for coastal wetlands restoration 

efforts which enables program managers to 

plan for the future. CWPPRA is well known 

for employing a wide array of restoration 

techniques (Table 1). 

CWPPRA project 

areas range in size 

from less than 100 

acres up to tens of 

thousands of acres. 

The use of different 

project types and 

sizes has enabled 

the program to 

respond more fully 

to the individual 

circumstances in 

each project area.

The program limits 

expenditures for 

planning to $5 

million each year. 

Therefore, the 

remaining 90% of 

CWPPRA’s funds 

are spent on direct 

project costs, facilitating the program’s 

ability to respond 

to immediate 

restoration needs. 

CWPPRA Program

Evolution of the CWPPRA Program

1990 U.S. Congress passes the Breaux Act, which dedicates $50 million on 

average each year for restoration projects in Louisiana.

1993 Breaux Act Task Force submits the State’s fi rst comprehensive 

wetland restoration plan to Congress.

1994 Completion of the fi rst CWPPRA funded project.

1998 Coast 2050 report completed. The CWPPRA Task Force and State 

Wetlands Authority jointly adopt the study as their offi cial restoration 

plan.

1999 CWPPRA Task Force adopts a cash fl ow management system.

2000 Coordination with Coast 2050 plan used as a criterion for CWPPRA 

project selection.

2002 CWPPRA conducts the fi rst cycle of Adaptive Management Review, 

another process for integrating lessons learned into the objectives and 

designs of new projects.

2002 The Corps of Engineers and State begin work on the LCA, Louisiana 

Ecosystem Restoration Study. Representatives from Breaux Act Task 

Force member agencies participate on the report writing team.

2003 The CWPPRA program adopts the Coastwide Reference Monitoring 

System, which uses a coastal ecosystem approach to evaluate project 

and program effectiveness.

2004 The CWPPRA program and participating agencies were awarded 

Coastal America Partnership Award from Coastal America.

2005 CWPPRA is re-authorized though 2019. The Louisiana Wildlife 

Federation, the Louisiana Association of Professional Biologists, 

and other organizations passed resolutions to increase funding of 

CWPPRA.
12

Typically, CWPPRA projects 

are taken from the design phase 

to construction in three to fi ve 

years. This quick turn-around 

time allows the program to 

meet urgent restoration needs 

and to react promptly to changing environmental conditions. 

CWPPRA addresses near-term 

restoration needs while other 

large-scale planning efforts are 

undertaken.

In the last 15 years, the 

program has constructed, is 

constructing, or has approved 

for construction 78 projects (66 

are complete) at a total cost of 

over $624.5 million (Table 2). 

These projects are expected to 

re-establish or protect a total 

of approximately 70,616 net 

acres and enhance 320,354 

acres of additional wetlands. 

Additionally, 47 projects at 

a total cost of approximately 

$913.4 million are in engineering and design. These projects 

are anticipated to re-establish or 

protect approximately 32,665 

net acres and enhance 194,859 

acres of additional wetlands. 

Of these 47 projects, the 

engineering and design is nearly 

complete for 11, but presently 

there are insuffi cient CWPPRA 

funds ($262.3 million) for their 

construction.

CWPPRA project development 

and funding is a transparent 

public process conducting 

approximately 14 public meetings per year. Public meeting 

Table 1. CWPPRA Restoration Project Types

Freshwater Reintroduction Freshwater is channeled from a nearby river or 

waterbody into surrounding wetlands. This infusion of water, sediment, and 

nutrients helps slow saltwater intrusion, slows the loss of marsh and creates a 

limited amount of new marsh.

Outfall Management A variety of techniques are used to regulate the fl ow of 

freshwater reintroduction to ensure that water and sediment reach needed areas. 

These techniques maximize the benefi ts of freshwater reintroduction.

Sediment Diversion A controlled gap (called a crevasse) is cut into a river 

levee, allowing river water, nutrients and sediment to fl ow into nearby wetlands 

and mimic natural land-building processes.

Dredged Material/Marsh Creation Dredged sediment is placed at specifi ed elevations in shallow open water and deteriorating marsh, high enough to encourage plant recolonization.

Shoreline Protection Eroding shorelines are protected by buttressing the land 

with rock berms, concrete, plantings, or by diffusing wave energy in front of the 

shore using breakwaters and/or fences.

Sediment and Nutrient Trapping Brush fences or low land ridges (terraces) are 

built to slow water fl ow and promote sediment accumulation.

Hydrologic Restoration Natural drainage patterns are restored as much as possible by blocking dredged canals and cutting gaps in artifi cial levees.

Marsh Management The water level and salinity in a contained marsh area 

are controlled by levees and gates or weirs to promote the regrowth of desired 

vegetation and re-establish historic wildlife habitat.

Barrier Island Restoration Several methods are used to stabilize and protect islands, including shoring up dunes with fences and vegetative plantings, rebuilding islands with dredged material, and using breakwaters to protect islands from 

waves.

Vegetative Planting Site appropriate marsh plants are established in project 

areas to reduce erosion, stabilize the soil, and accelerate wildlife habitat development.

Terracing Terracing is construction of low ridges, usually in patterns, which 

enclose open water areas. The ridges slow water fl ow and help trap sediment to 

rebuild marsh.

Long-Distance Conveyance of Dredged Material This technique is similar to 

other marsh creation techniques except different techniques are utilized to transport sediment greater distances, often using booster pumps.

Invasive Species Control Program A control program pays licensed trappers/

hunters to harvest invasive species, such as nutria, that damage the marsh.

Delta Management Wetland creation on active deltas can be enhanced by altering fl ow patterns promoting land accretion.
13

notices are mailed and also announced via 

the “Breaux Act Newsfl ash” through email 

distribution to those who elect to be on the 

distribution list. A complete CWPPRA 

organizational structure, Standard Operating 

Procedures, and administrative proceedings 

are publicly available on the internet. Specifi c 

project documentation for all projects selected 

for a Priority Project List (PPL) may be 

found at the website http://www.LaCoast.gov. 

Annual reports of each PPL selection process 

and detailed evaluations of the selected and 

not selected projects are produced. Most of 

these annual reports are also publicly available 

on the CWPPRA website.

A Collaborative Interagency 

Approach

Through its governing structure, the 

program emphasizes intergovernmental 

cooperation. Five Federal agencies and the 

State of Louisiana sit on the Louisiana Coastal 

Wetlands Conservation and Restoration 

Task Force, commonly referred to as the 

CWPPRA Task Force, and each agency brings 

a different, but complementary, perspective 

to the table. These agencies include the 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Natural 

Resources Conservation Service, the NOAA 

National Marine Fisheries Service, the U.S. 

Environmental Protection Agency, and 

the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The 

Louisiana Governor’s Offi ce represents the 

State on the Task Force while the Louisiana 

Department of Natural Resources is the local 

cost share sponsor for project implementation. A Technical Committee, Planning and 

Evaluation Subcommittee, Environmental and 

Engineering Work Groups, and similar entities 

are responsible for project planning and engineering (Figure 6). The CWPPRA Task Force 

also retains the services of Louisiana academic 

coastal scientists on the Academic Advisory 

Working Group to advise as needed.

Each of the constructed projects is assessed 

throughout its lifetime using an intensive 

Basin # Projects

Re-established 

Acres1

Protected 

Acres2 Total Net Acres3

Enhanced 

Acres4 Cost

Pontchartrain 9 2,223 3,199 5,422 8,868 $34,273,381 

Breton Sound 2 1,069 0 1,069 12,987 $7,719,940 

Miss. River Delta 3 12,740 413 13,153 1,185 $28,434,514 

Barataria 13 1,750 3,742 5,492 26,500 $250,883,109 

Terrebonne 14 1,307 4,552 5,859 45,304 $114,926,979 

Atchafalaya 2 3,400 392 3,792 756 $9,609,551 

Teche/Vermilion 9 2,417 3,448 5,865 30,671 $29,222,093 

Mermentau 7 905 3,323 4,228 15,384 $40,457,657 

Calcasieu/Sabine 18 6,534 13,217 19,751 178,699 $91,247,317 

Coastwide5 1 0 5,985 5,985 0 $17,734,918 

CONSTRUCTED6

 TOTALS 78 32,345 38,271 70,616 320,354 $624,509,459 

1 Areas with a net gain in wetlands over future without project conditions. Acres restored by marsh creation,

 terraces or river reintroductions.

2Areas protected from loss that would have been lost under future without project conditions.

3Sum of re-established and protected acres present at the end of 20 years.

4Areas in which specifi c functions have been intensifi ed/improved. Project area marsh at year 20 minus total net acres.

5 Coastwide Nutria Control Program.

6 Constructed includes projects that are constructed, under construction or approved for construction.

Table 2. CWPPRA projects constructed or approved for construction to date.
14

monitoring program. The feedback gained 

by monitoring allows the program to continually improve project designs and establishes 

information on the performance of restoration 

techniques under different local circumstances.

The process of identifying and selecting the 

projects to be built uses a “bottom-up” model 

that encourages local constituencies to contribute. This approach has created solid buy-in for 

projects from a broad array of interest groups 

throughout south Louisiana and has developed 

strong links among the Federal, State, and 

local government agencies, nongovernmental 

organizations, and the public. Although 

some projects may have localized stakeholder 

concerns, all agree that coastal restoration is 

an issue that needs to be addressed.

CWPPRA’s emphasis on collaboration and 

grassroots participation has had other implications for restoration projects. CWPPRA 

projects have tended to provide local benefi ts, 

with a focus on enhancing habitat in areas of 

acute need. This approach has been totally 

appropriate given the program’s budget and 

scope as well as the distress being felt by 

human and natural communities throughout 

the region. In recent years, CWPPRA has 

developed and implemented projects that, in 

combination, provide ecosystem-level benefi ts 

to large portions of the coastal zone.

Figure 6. CWPPRA Organizational Structure

CWPPRA Task Force Citizen Participation 

Group

Technical Committee

Planning & Evaluation 

Subcommittee

Environmental Work 

Group Economic Work Group Engineering Work Group

Monitoring Work 

Group

Technical Advisory 

Work Group

Academic Advisory 

Work Group

Public Outreach Subcommittee

CWPPRA Organizational Structure
15

Annual Priority Project List 

(PPL) Selection

Each year in January, a new PPL selection process begins with solicitation to the 

CWPPRA agencies, to the public, parish 

governments or other institutions to nominate 

projects for the CWPPRA program. Often 

locals will cooperatively develop project 

concepts with one of the Federal agencies. 

All of the CWPPRA agencies offer general 

assistance to locals and often provide some 

technical data or advice. Project nominations 

are proposed at CWPPRA’s public meetings 

in which background technical information is 

provided to the public.

The “nominee projects” are screened by the 

CWPPRA workgroups and a set of “candidate projects” are chosen by the Technical 

Committee for more detailed evaluation. The 

Task Force pre-determines the number of 

candidate projects to be selected for evaluation 

for each PPL cycle. The candidate evaluations 

include fi eld site visits by CWPPRA staff, 

State offi cials, landowners and managers, and 

sometimes interested local parties. A wetland 

value assessment (WVA) is conducted on each 

candidate project to predict the net habitat 

benefi t over the 20 year project life. The 

WVA is conducted by the interagency working 

groups with input from university scientists. 

Preliminary cost estimates are also generated 

for all candidate projects. Due to insuffi cient 

funding to construct all projects, in recent 

years, a prioritization scoring system has been 

developed to aid in the selection of projects. 

This scoring emphasizes cost effectiveness, 

sustainability, compatibility with regional 

restoration planning and other factors. 

The results of the detailed evaluations, 

prioritization and cost estimates are presented 

to the public later in the year. The public is 

allowed to comment on the project evaluations 

and their project preferences before the Task 

Force makes a fi nal selection of projects. The 

fi nal Task Force selection occurs in October 

completing the PPL selection cycle. At this 

time, most selected projects are assigned 

a lead Federal agency which has primary 

project management responsibility of the 

project through construction. An annual report 

is generated for each PPL cycle detailing 

the nominated projects, the evaluation of 

candidate projects, and the fi nal selected PPL 

projects.

Since the implementation of a cash fl ow authorization process, selected PPL projects are 

only authorized for Phase I (design) funding. 

Phase I funding authorization typically occurs 

at the October Task Force meeting. Once a 

project completes Phase I, Phase II (construction) funding must be requested from the Task 

Force and much of the evaluation is redone 

using additional information gained since 

original analysis. Phase II funding is typically 

requested and approved at the January Task 

Force meeting.

Regional Planning

Recognizing the need for comprehensive 

planning, the CWPPRA program produced 

the State’s fi rst comprehensive plan in 1993 

(Louisiana Coastal Wetlands Conservation 

and Restoration Task Force 1993). This 

was updated with a comprehensive ecosystem-level plan in 1998 called Coast 2050: 

Toward a Sustainable Coastal Louisiana

(Louisiana Coastal Wetlands Conservation 

and Restoration Task Force and the Wetlands 

Conservation and Restoration Authority 

1998). These studies clearly demonstrated 

the need for additional funding for large-scale 

restoration. As a consequence, through 

cooperative support of the CWPPRA agencies, 
16

the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and State 

of Louisiana developed the Louisiana Coastal 

Area (LCA), Louisiana Ecosystem Restoration 

Study (USACE 2004). On request of the 

Offi ce of Management and Budget, a NearTerm LCA plan was developed and completed 

in 2004. This LCA Study proposes near-term 

restoration proposals that can be implemented 

within 5 to 10 years, but also presents a 

strategy for addressing the long-term needs for 

restoration of coastal Louisiana.
17

The CWPPRA program divides the 

Louisiana Coast into four regions as 

shown in Figure 7. Each region has 

varying conditions that are described 

separately in the following sections. 

In addition to the regional conditions, two projects per region are highlighted 

in order to give specifi c examples of the 

types and locations of CWPPRA projects. 

CWPPRA also sponsors demonstration 

projects. Appendices I through IV contain 

the costs, benefi ts, and a brief description of 

the projects and demonstrations authorized on 

Priority Project Lists 1-15. Detailed documentation of all projects selected for a PPL can be 

found at the website http://www.LaCoast.gov. 

The website includes various types of information including project fact sheets, budgets, 

ecological reviews, and monitoring reports.

Although the majority of CWPPRA projects 

are located within a specifi c region, four coastwide projects have been implemented. The 

coastwide projects include three demonstration 

projects and one Coastwide Nutria Control 

Program (LA-03b). Demonstration projects 

use technologies or methods that have not 

been fully developed for coastal restoration 

in Louisiana. The coastwide demonstration 

projects include a variety of techniques to 

address marsh creation and improvements to 

shoreline protection.

CWPPRA 

Effectiveness

Figure 7. The CWPPRA program considers the Louisiana coast in four regions as indicated.

LA-05 Floating Marsh Creation Demonstration Project. 

Bamboo and PVC structures planted with maidencane 

(Panicum hemitomon) are being evaluated on Mandalay 

National Wildlife Refuge. Photo provided by B. Milan.
18

Region 1

Region 1 includes the Pontchartrain basin, and 

encompasses the New Orleans metropolitan 

area and St. Bernard and St. Tammany 

Parishes. In fact, all of Region 1 suffered 

major fl ooding and damage from Hurricane 

Katrina in 2005. A population of over one 

million people in this region is vulnerable to 

fl ooding from hurricanes and tropical storms. 

The natural landscape is dominated by lowlying swamps and marshes that are nourished 

by periodic fl ooding of rivers and bayous such 

as the Amite River, Pearl River, and Bayou 

Manchac. Infl uences of the metropolitan 

area and its development pressure make this 

region’s wetland habitats particularly vulnerable to human impacts. Region 1 has several 

large and signifi cant lakes such as Lakes 

Pontchartrain, Maurepas, and Borgne that 

support vast wetland complexes. There are an 

estimated 576,570 acres of coastal wetlands in 

this urban estuary.

Critical problems in Region 1 are reduced 

riverine input, increased salinities, erosion 

along ship channels and lake shorelines, and 

potential loss of land bridges. Estimates of 

wetland loss from Region 1 indicate that a 

total of 23,296 acres of wetlands were lost 

between 1990 and 2000, averaging 2,304 

acres lost per year (Hill and Green 2005). 

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita produced 

dramatic land changes within the region. The 

USGS estimates 14,720 acres of new open 

water were formed during the 2005 hurricane season. Whether these wetlands will 

recover or persist as open water remains to be 

determined.

The primary challenges in this region center 

on preserving habitat and maintaining current 

levels of productivity. A map of constructed 

projects and additional selected projects which 

have not yet been constructed are illustrated in 

Figure 8.

The CWPPRA program has authorized 18 

projects in Region 1 and 9 projects have been 

constructed or approved for construction (4 

have subsequently been deauthorized). These 

projects are expected to benefi t approximately 5,422 acres of wetlands at a cost of 

$34,273,381 (see Appendix I for project 

details).

Figure 8. CWPPRA projects within Region 1 (Pontchartrain basin) that are constructed and approved for construction.
19

Hopedale Hydrologic Restoration 

(PO-24)

Project Type: Hydrologic Restoration

Federal Sponsor: National Marine Fisheries 

Service

Approval Date: 1999

Construction Completion Date: 2005 

Net Benefi t after 20 Years: 134 Acres 

Cost: $2,432,958

Location: The project is located southeast of 

Yscloskey and north of Bayou La Loutre in St. 

Bernard Parish, Louisiana.

Problems: In the 1950s, a water control structure 

was placed in a canal leading from the project area 

to Bayou La Loutre. This canal parallels the back 

of the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MRGO) 

spoil containment dike. When the control structure was installed, it contained three culverts with fl apgates. As time passed, 

the fl apgates were removed and never replaced. During recent years, two of the three culverts have collapsed, adversely 

impacting wetlands in the project area through the loss of drainage capability. As a result of reduced drainage capacity, winddriven tide and rainwater created pooling and 

ponding on the marsh surface reducing plant 

health and accelerating marsh loss. 

Restoration Strategy: This project will abate 

site-specifi c wetland loss by replacing collapsed 

culverts installed in the 1950s near Yscloskey. 

The degraded water control structures were 

preventing the drainage of high tides and 

stormwater runoff, resulting in impounded water 

on the marsh. Replacement of this structure 

would allow more rapid drainage of the area, 

improve fi sheries access to the area, reduce 

wetland loss rates and protect nearly 3,000 acres 

of marsh. This project is very similar to East 

Mud Lake Marsh Management (CS-20) in the 

western Chenier Plain and provides an excellent 

opportunity to make comparisons within the two 

major geographic regions.

Project Status: The Louisiana Coastal 

Wetlands Conservation and Restoration Task 

Force approved construction funding in April 

2003. Engineering and design, geo-technical 

investigations, and hydrologic modeling 

were completed. A construction contract was 

awarded in November 2003, and construction 

was initiated in March 2004. In January 2005, 

construction was completed, and the project 

is currently being operated by St. Bernard 

Parish under a cooperative agreement with the 

Louisiana Department of Natural Resources. 

The project area was impacted during Hurricane 

Katrina but the structure remained operational 

and is functioning post-hurricane.

Structure during construction in October 2004. Photo provided by 

Louisiana Department of Natural Resources.

The structure operating in December 2004. Photo provided by 

Louisiana Department of Natural Resources.
20

Fritchie Marsh Restoration (PO06)

Project Type: Hydrologic Restoration

Federal Sponsor: Natural Resources Conservation 

Service

Approval Date: 1992

Construction Completion Date: 2001 

Net Benefi t after 20 Years: 1,040 acres

Cost: $2,201,674

Location: The project is located approximately 

3 miles southeast of the city of Slidell in St. 

Tammany Parish, Louisiana. The project area 

encompasses marsh near the north shore of Lake 

Pontchartrain and the Rigolets. It is bounded by 

U.S. Highway 90 to the east, Louisiana Highway 

433 to the west and south, and uplands to the north.

Problems: Since 1956, 34% of the marsh in the project area has converted to shallow water. Much of the loss is likely a 

result of the disruption of the natural hydrology by the construction of surrounding highways. The surrounding highways 

impound the area and impede the transport of water and nutrients. In addition, salt water also intrudes from Lake 

Pontchartrain due to the tidal exchange occurring through the Rigolets.

Restoration Strategy: The project area would be restored to a more natural hydrologic regime by enlarging the Salt Bayou 

culvert under Highway 90. This would increase fl ow of fresh water, nutrients, and sediment from the West Pearl River and 

alleviate the stagnant conditions in the northern portion of the marsh. 

Approximately one mile of Salt Bayou was dredged to improve its capacity to carry the projected increase of fl ow from the 

West Pearl River. 

In addition, upland runoff from the city of Slidell was diverted through a weir on the W14 Canal into the marsh. The runoff 

will increase the overall productivity of the marsh by adding nutrients and fresh water to the marsh. It will also reduce 

nutrient loading into Lake Pontchartrain. 

Project Status: The project was completed on February 28, 

2001. The Operation and Maintenance plan was executed 

on January 29, 2003. Monitoring is ongoing and includes 

hydrologic, vegetation, and habitat mapping components. 

Hurricane Katrina impacted the project area fi lling in parts of 

Salt Bayou with sediment. However, the project structures 

remain operational.

Constructed project weir, with boat bay, installed in the 

northwestern portion of the project area. Photo provided by Louisiana 

Department of Natural Resources.

Culverts installed in Salt Bayou to facilitate 

water fl ow from the West Pearl River. 

Photo provided by Louisiana Department of Natural 

Resources.
21

Region 2

Region 2 includes the Breton Sound, Barataria, 

and Mississippi River Delta hydrologic basins. 

This region encompasses the coastal area 

east of the Mississippi River to the MRGO 

and the area west of the Mississippi to Bayou 

Lafourche. Port Fourchon is at the gulf 

shoreline and is the largest offshore supply 

port in Louisiana. It includes 894,700 acres of 

wetlands. Historically, annual fl ooding from 

the Mississippi and Bayou Lafourche provided 

nutrients, sediment, and water to the wetlands. 

However, levees were constructed thereby 

altering the natural hydrologic process and 

transport of sediment for marsh nourishment.

This region’s major infrastructure includes the 

New Orleans west bank, the lower Mississippi 

River navigation channel, and important offshore support bases such as Venice. Numerous 

oil and gas pipelines pass through this region 

to inland refi neries or interstate transmission 

networks, including the Louisiana Offshore 

Oil Port (LOOP) pipeline. LOOP provides a 

deepwater port for some of the world’s largest 

tankers.

Important features include the Birdsfoot delta 

of the Mississippi River, Little Lake, Lake 

Salvador, and Barataria Bay. Towns such as 

Lafi tte, Venice, Port Sulphur, and Grand Isle 

support a robust commercial and recreational 

fi shing industry.

This area has experienced one of the highest 

rates of land loss in coastal Louisiana. This 

region lost approximately 52,160 acres of 

wetlands between 1990 and 2000, averaging 

5,184 acres lost per year (Hill and Green 

2005). Breton Sound basin suffered the 

highest losses of any basin due to Hurricane 

Katrina. The USGS estimates 49,280 acres of 

new open water were formed during the 2005 

hurricane season. Critical problems in Region 

2 include subsidence combined with sediment 

and nutrient deprivation, compaction, saltwater 

intrusion, shoreline erosion, and barrier island 

erosion.

Figure 9. CWPPRA projects within Region 2 (Breton Sound, Barataria, and Mississippi River basins) that are constructed 

and approved for construction.
22

A map of constructed projects and additional 

selected projects which have not yet been 

constructed are illustrated in Figure 9. The 

Barataria Basin Landbridge is located within 

Region 2 and provides an example of landscape-scale integration of multiple CWPPRA 

projects. The integrated CWPPRA projects 

addressing the sinking and erosion of the 

Barataria Basin Landbridge are described 

in more detail in the next section of this 

document.

In Region 2, CWPPRA has authorized 48 

projects (of which 3 are demonstration and 9 

have been deauthorized) and 18 projects have 

been constructed or approved for construction. 

These projects are expected to benefi t approximately 19,714 acres of wetlands at a cost of 

$287,037,563 (see Appendix II for project 

details).
23

West Bay Sediment Diversion 

(MR-03)

Project Type: Sediment Diversion

Federal Sponsor: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 

New Orleans District

Approval Date: 1991

Construction Completion Date: 2003 

Net Benefi t after 20 Years: 9,831 Acres 

Cost: $22,792,876

Location: The diversion site is located 

approximately 4.7 miles above Head of Passes 

on the west bank of the Mississippi River, in 

Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana. The project diverts 

Mississippi River water and sediments into West 

Bay. 

Problems: Marshes along the lower Mississippi 

River are subsiding and converting to open water because of a lack of riverine sediment inputs and fresh water.

Restoration Strategy: The objective of the project is to restore vegetated wetlands in an area that is currently shallow open 

water. The project diverts sediments to create, nourish, and maintain approximately 9,831 acres of fresh to intermediate 

marsh in the West Bay area over the 20-year project life.

The project consists of a conveyance channel for the large-scale diversion of sediments from the river. The conveyance 

channel is being constructed in two phases: (1) construction of an initial channel with an average discharge of 20,000 cubic 

feet per second (cfs); (2) after a period of intensive monitoring, enlargement of the channel to discharge 50,000 cfs. Materials 

from the construction of the initial channel were used to create wetlands in the diversion outfall area. 

The diversion may induce shoaling in the main navigation channel of the Mississippi River and the adjacent Pilottown 

anchorage area. Dredging of the main channel is accomplished under the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ ongoing Operations 

and Maintenance Program for the river, but additional dredging of the anchorage area would be an added feature and cost of 

the project. The material dredged from the anchorage area will be used to create wetlands in the West Bay diversion outfall 

area. 

Project Status: As of January 2005, post-construction aerial 

photographs and surveys indicate that 186 acres of new marsh were 

created with the benefi cial use of the diversion channel dredged 

material. LDNR surveyed the area in March 2004 and found about 

70% vegetative coverage from natural colonization of the marsh 

creation site. Flow measurements taken in December 2004 recorded 

a discharge of 27,000 cfs of Mississippi River water through the 

diversion channel. 

 

The conveyance channel allows fresh water and sediment to fl ow 

from the Mississippi River (left) to restore vegetated wetlands in 

an area that is currently shallow open water. Photo provided by New 

Orleans District Corps of Engineers.

Hydraulic dredge digging the West Bay 

Sediment Diversion Channel during October 

2003. The Mississippi River is in the 

foreground and the shallow waters of West 

Bay are in the background. The dredge 

is working to dig a 440-foot wide, -25-foot 

deep channel through the natural river bank. 

The sand is being pumped into a benefi cial 

use marsh creation site in West Bay (upper 

left quarter of photo) to create nearly 200 

acres of new wetlands. Photo provided by New 

Orleans District Corps of Engineers.
24

Delta Management at

Fort St. Philip (BS-11)

Project Type: Outfall Management, Sediment and 

Nutrient Trapping

Federal Sponsor: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Approval Date: 2001

Construction Completion Date: In Progress 

Net Benefi t after 20 Years: 267 Acres 

Cost: $2,055,703

Location: The project is located on the east side of 

the Mississippi River near the crevasse (a break in 

the levee) that formed during the 1973 fl ood at Fort 

St. Philip in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana. 

Problems: Because of the crevasse, the area has 

been in transition since the early 1970s. It was 

once an organic, low-energy system consisting of brackish-saline marsh that was in decline. It is now a deltaic environment 

dominated by the formation of fresh and intermediate marshes. 

Recent aerial photography indicates that marsh loss has decreased considerably and marsh building now occurs over a 

substantial portion of the project area. Many areas that historically experienced marsh loss are now becoming shallower with 

the introduction of river sediments. 

Emergent marsh is forming throughout the area on the newly accreted mineral soils. Even though this area is experiencing a 

net gain in emergent marsh, this project proposes to enhance the natural marsh-building processes and increase the growth 

rate of emergent wetlands.

Restoration Strategy: The objective of the project is to enhance the delta-building process occurring as a result of the 

crevasse at Fort St. Philip. Six artifi cial crevasses will be constructed to divert fresh water and sediments into areas currently 

restricted by spoil banks or natural ridges. The crevasses will be maintained during the project life. In addition, linear terraces 

will be constructed to enhance sediment retention and reduce wave energy in one of the large receiving bays. Vegetative 

plantings of seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum) and smooth cordgrass (Spartina alternifl ora) will be installed on the 

terraces.

Project Status: The Louisiana Coastal Wetlands Conservation and Restoration Task Force approved construction funding 

in August 2002. Construction plans and specifi cations for crevasses and terraces are complete. Permitting of the proposed 

features is complete and land rights have been obtained. Construction of project features began June 19, 2006.

Project terraces during construction 

in August 2006. Photo provided by 

Louisiana Department of Natural Resources.
25

Region 3

Region 3 includes the Atchafalaya, Terrebonne 

and Teche/Vermilion hydrologic basins. This 

region covers the signifi cant municipalities 

of Houma and Thibodaux; and the major port 

of Morgan City. A major landscape element 

is Bayou Lafourche which has many miles 

of fi shing communities developed along its 

banks. Terrebonne and Timbalier Bays are 

actually one large bay system with several 

large barrier islands separating it from the Gulf 

of Mexico. Two distinctive features are the 

Atchafalaya River and Morganza Floodway. 

The Atchafalaya River is building the only two 

actively growing deltas on the Louisiana coast. 

The Floodway is a part of the program under 

the Mississippi River and Tributaries Project 

and is designed to alleviate fl ood stage on the 

Mississippi River. Region 3 also has numerous oil and gas pipelines connecting to inland 

refi neries or interstate natural gas transmission 

networks, such as the Henry Hub in the 

Teche/Vermilion basin. This region includes 

1,078,800 acres of wetlands.

Estimates of wetland loss from Region 

3 indicate that a total of 46,976 acres of 

wetlands were lost between 1990 and 2000, 

averaging 4,672 acres lost per year (Hill and 

Green 2005). Principal causes of land loss 

in this region include subsidence, shoreline 

erosion, altered hydrology, and barrier island 

deterioration. Although the active deltas of the 

Atchafalaya River are growing, they have not 

offset the land loss in Region 3.

Figure 10 illustrates constructed projects and 

additional selected projects which have not yet 

been constructed. Several signifi cant barrier 

island restoration projects have been completed in Region 3. These include restoration 

projects on the Timbalier Islands and the Isles 

Dernieres. Most projects include vegetative 

planting, fencing and pumping of sediment. 

Offshore breakwaters were placed at Raccoon 

Figure 10. CWPPRA projects within Region 3 (Atchafalaya, Terrebonne, and Teche/Vermilion basins) that are 

constructed and approved for construction.
26

Island which has seen additional island accretion due to the project.

The CWPPRA program has authorized 49 

projects in Region 3 (of which 7 are demonstration and 4 have been deauthorized) and 25 

projects have been constructed or approved 

for construction. These projects are expected 

to benefi t approximately 15,516 acres of wetlands at a cost of $153,758,623 (see Appendix 

III for project details).
27

Sediment Trapping

at “The Jaws” (TV-15)

Project Type: Sediment and Nutrient Trapping

Federal Sponsor: National Marine Fisheries 

Service

Approval Date: 1997

Construction Completion Date: 2004 

Net Benefi t after 20 Years: 1,999 Acres 

Cost: $3,392,135

Location: This project is located in the northeast 

portion of West Cote Blanche Bay near “The Jaws” 

in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana. 

Problems: Continuous wind and wave energy in West Cote Blanche Bay are preventing available sediments from the Gulf 

Intracoastal Waterway from becoming vegetated marsh. In addition, these energies are causing a shoreline erosion rate of 15 

feet/year.

Restoration Strategy: This project was authorized to reduce wave-induced shoreline erosion and promote the deposition 

of sediment by creating vegetated wetland terraces and reducing wave fetch, or the distance waves can travel unimpeded. 

Distributary channels will be dredged to deliver water and sediment to the project area. 

One way to trap sediments is to build both vegetated terraces to dissipate wave energy and distributary channels to direct 

sediments to the project area. Low wave and current energy allow sediments to drop out of the water column, thereby 

accreting and allowing wetland vegetation to establish. This project included dredging a distributary channel system 

to facilitate spreading the sediment load over a wide area. The distributary channels were dredged to 60 feet wide and 6 

feet deep. Dredge spoil (844,444 cy) was used to create low elevation terraces along the landward fl ank of each dredged 

distributary to protect the depositional area associated with the channel landward of the terrace. Altogether, 145 terraces 

were constructed, each measuring 60 feet wide at an elevation of 2 feet above the mean sea level. California bulrush 

(Schoenoplectus californicus) and giant cutgrass (Zizaniopsis miliacea) were planted at the base of the terraces and along the 

existing shoreline to help stabilize these areas. 

Project Status: Construction and fi nal acceptance of the earthen terraces was completed on December 7, 2004. The terraces 

were seeded with rye grass on December 15, 2004. Vegetative plantings occurred at the base of the terraces in May 2005.

Earthen terraces in May 2005 after rye grass seeding established vegetation on the terrace crowns. 

Completed vegetative plantings of California bulrush 

(Schoenoplectus californicus) and giant cutgrass 

(Zizaniopsis miliacea) are at the base of terraces. 

Photo provided by Louisiana Department of Natural Resources.

Vegetative plantings in progress in May 2005.

Photo provided by Louisiana Department of Natural Resources.
28

Timbalier Island Dune and Marsh 

Creation (TE-40)

Project Type: Barrier Island Restoration

Federal Sponsor: Environmental Protection Agency

Approval Date: 2000

Construction Completion Date: 2005

Net Benefi t after 20 Years: 273 Acres 

Cost: $16,657,706

Location: Timbalier Island is located south of 

Terrebonne and Timbalier Bays and west of East 

Timbalier Island in Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana.

Problems: Timbalier Island is migrating rapidly 

to the west/northwest, which is a clear indication of the dominant infl uence of longshore sediment transport processes (the 

movement of beach material by waves and currents) along the island. Thus, the western end of Timbalier Island is undergoing 

lateral migration by spit-building processes, at the expense of erosion along the eastern end, while the island overall is 

shortening and narrowing. This loss can be attributed to an inadequate sediment supply, relative sea-level rise, and the 

passage of storms. Once a leading edge of a delta lobe, it is now an island totally separated from the marsh farther inland. 

Without mitigating efforts, Timbalier Island is projected to disappear by the year 2050.

Restoration Strategy: The objective of this project was to restore the eastern end of Timbalier Island through the direct 

creation of dune and marsh habitat. The project boundary was divided into Areas A and B. Area A was restored through direct 

creation of dune and marsh on the east end of Timbalier Island. Area B was enhanced through addition of sediment into the 

nearshore system, maintaining the west/northwest migration of the island and attenuation of wave energy.

Specifi cally, the project included 

restoring the beach rim and dune 

system. The project also created a 

marsh platform on the bay side of 

the island. The marsh platform was 

built around existing marsh with 

minimal impact. Over three million 

cubic yards of dredge material was 

used in this project. Vegetation was 

planted and sand fencing was placed 

on the dune to help capture and 

retain wind blown sand. 

Project Status: Construction 

funding was approved by the 

Louisiana Coastal Wetlands 

Conservation and Restoration Task 

Force in January 2003. Construction 

was completed in March 2005. In 

May 2006, an additional row of 

sand fencing was placed on the 

eastern-most end of the project area 

and 42,000 additional containers of 

native vegetation were planted. Aerial photography of Timbalier Island illustrating TE-40 Project Area A.
29

Region 4

Region 4 includes the Calcasieu/Sabine and 

Mermentau hydrologic basins. This region 

covers several large lakes such as Grand Lake, 

White Lake, Sabine Lake and Calcasieu Lake. 

It also includes the Rockefeller Refuge, Paul 

J. Rainey Wildlife Sanctuary, Cameron Prairie 

National Wildlife Refuge, and Sabine National 

Wildlife Refuge. The natural landscape is 

dominated by chenier ridges and intervening 

wetlands. There are no hurricane protection 

levees to protect inland cities such as Lake 

Charles and the wetland buffer from storm 

surge is essential for the protection of local 

municipalities and highways. Even Interstate 

10, located 30 miles inland, is vulnerable to 

hurricane surge from the Gulf of Mexico. 

This region also includes several coastal 

communities often used for recreational or 

commercial fi shing bases. These communities 

were severely damaged, with some completely 

destroyed by Hurricane Rita in 2005. Region 

4 also has numerous oil and gas pipelines 

connecting to inland refi neries or interstate 

natural gas transmission networks. The region 

covers 768,210 acres of wetlands.

Principal causes of land loss in this region 

include gulf shoreline erosion, and altered 

hydrology. Estimates of wetland loss from 

Region 4 indicate that a total of 34,688 acres 

of wetlands were lost between 1990 and 2000, 

averaging 3,468 acres lost per year (Hill and 

Green 2005). Loss of wooded cheniers from 

erosion and development has greatly impacted 

resting and refueling areas vital to migrating 

neotropical birds that twice yearly cross the 

Gulf of Mexico. A map of constructed projects 

and additional selected projects which have 

not yet been constructed are illustrated in 

Figure 11.

The CWPPRA program has authorized 34 

projects in Region 4, of which three are demonstration and one has been deauthorized, and 

25 projects have been constructed or approved 

for construction. These projects are expected 

to benefi t approximately 23,979 acres of wetlands at a cost of $131,704,974 (see Appendix 

IV for project details).

Figure 11. CWPPRA projects within Region 4 (Calcasieu/Sabine and Mermentau basins) that are constructed and 

approved for construction.
30

Holly Beach Sand Management 

(CS-31)

Project Type: Shoreline Protection

Federal Sponsor: Natural Resources Conservation 

Service

Approval Date: 2002

Construction Completion Date: 2003

Net Benefi t after 20 Years: 330 Acres 

Cost: $14,130,233

Location: The project is located west of Calcasieu 

Pass along the Gulf of Mexico shoreline, extending 

between Holly Beach and Constance Beach in 

Cameron Parish, Louisiana. 

Problems: The Chenier Plain shoreline was 

created with sediment transported by the Mississippi River’s periodic westward oscillation. The swales that characterize the 

Chenier Plain were created by the deposition of these alluvial sediments, and these same sediments also served to extend the 

shoreline gulfward and create the area's expansive mudfl ats.

Chronic erosion in this area is caused by a lack of sand and sediment caused by the channelization and regulation of the 

Atchafalaya River to the east. In addition, the Calcasieu and Mermentau rivers are not supplying coarse-grained sediment to 

the area. Furthermore, the Cameron Jetties, associated with the Calcasieu Ship Channel, defl ect the little material that does 

exist away from the project area.

Restoration Strategy: The project's goals are: (1) to protect approximately 8,000 acres of existing, low energy intermediate 

and brackish marsh wetlands north of the forested ridge and (2) to create and protect roughly 300 acres of beach dune and 

coastal chenier habitat from erosion and degradation.

The project also provides protection for the wooded chenier to the west, some of which has been purchased by the Baton 

Rouge Audubon Society. This chenier is being maintained as a sanctuary because of its importance as habitat for neotropical 

migratory birds.

The project plan consists of placing approximately 1.7 million cubic yards of high quality sand on the beach to reestablish a 

more historical shoreline, as well as to improve the effectiveness of the existing segmented breakwater system. 

Project Status: Construction funding was approved in August 2001. Since that time, 1.75 million cubic yards of sand were 

added to the beach. Sand placement was completed in March 2003. Project staff installed 102,000 linear feet of vegetative 

plantings at dune elevation on the Holly Beach dredge platform; 20,400 four-inch containers of bitter panicgrass (Panicum 

amarum) were planted. Plantings were completed in August 2003. 

The project area was in the direct path of Hurricane Rita in September 2005. Damages included removal of sand fencing 

and roll back loss of 400,000 cubic yards of sand. Posts and sand fencing in the project area are on target for replacement 

before January 2007. The project has been credited with providing signifi cant protection to LA Highway 82 during the storm, 

reducing potential damages to this major evacuation route.

Project area during construction in February 2003. 

The pipe is transporting sand to features within 

the project area. Photo provided by Natural Resources 

Conservation Service.

Final dressing of newly created beach in April 2003. 

Photo provided by Natural Resources Conservation Service.
31

South White Lake Shoreline 

Protection (ME-22)

Project Type: Shoreline Protection

Federal Sponsor: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 

New Orleans District

Approval Date: 2003

Construction Completion Date: 2006 

Net Benefi t after 20 Years: 844 Acres 

Cost: $15,712,059

Location: The project is located along the southern 

shoreline of White Lake from Will’s Point past the 

western shore of Bear Lake in Vermilion Parish, 

Louisiana. 

Problems: The south shoreline of White Lake is 

retreating at an estimated average rate of 15 feet per 

year as a result of wind-induced wave energy. As 

the shoreline erodes, it could breach low marsh management levees and increase interior marsh loss rates in portions of the 

area.

Restoration Strategy: This project called for construction of segmented breakwaters to protect approximately 61,500 linear 

feet of shoreline. The breakwaters were constructed with gaps to allow aquatic organisms and water to move freely without 

having a negative impact on the resource it will protect. An estimated 270,000 tons of stone were placed on geotextile 

fabric. A fl otation channel was required for construction access, and material dredged to build the access channel was placed 

benefi cially behind the breakwaters to create approximately 157 acres of marsh substrate. 

Project Status: The Louisiana Coastal Wetlands Conservation and Restoration Task Force approved engineering and design 

funding in January 2003 and construction funding in October 2004. Project construction was completed in 2006.

Pre-construction view of the project area in 

southern White Lake.

Post-construction project elements 

including rock dike and benefi cial use of 

dredge material in May 2005.

Photo provided by USFWS.
32

Landscape-Level Planning

Some parts of coastal Louisiana need larger 

restoration efforts than a single CWPPRA 

project can provide. At current funding levels, 

the CWPPRA program cannot address all of 

the restoration needs in all areas. However, 

CWPPRA projects can meet some of the needs 

of certain areas by building several interrelated 

projects that collectively address a problem 

at hand. Two examples include the Barataria 

Basin Landbridge and Louisiana barrier island 

projects, which are described in case studies 

on the following pages. By implementing 

site-specifi c projects that are geographically 

grouped together, basin oriented goals of 

restoring critical landforms, restoring barrier 

shorelines, and restoring historical hydrologic 

patterns are presently being accomplished.

CWPPRA has led the effort toward landscapelevel planning for coastal Louisiana through 

the following activities: (a) preparation of 

the Louisiana Coastal Wetlands Restoration 

Plan in 1993; (b) development of Coast 2050: 

Toward a Sustainable Coastal Louisiana in 

1998, a restoration plan which was the basis 

for the reconnaissance level document for the 

current Louisiana Coastal Area, Ecosystem 

Restoration Study (LCA Study) effort; (c) 

preliminary investigation and engineering 

of a number of large scale projects that were 

precursors to features included in the proposed 

near-term LCA plan; and (d) development 

and implementation of synergistic projects to 

address regional needs.

In 2005, the State, in conjunction with 

coastal parishes, began to develop plans for 

implementing the Coastal Impact Assistance 

Program (CIAP), authorized by Congress in 

the Energy Policy Act of 2005. These funds 

are designated to address the impacts of Outer 

Continental Shelf (OCS) oil and gas production on the natural resources of the coastal 

area. The State’s CIAP plan, upon approval by 

the U.S. Department of the Interior, has funding from 2007 to 2011.

Since Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, statewide 

coastal planning has accelerated with emphasis 

on coastal restoration activities benefi ting both 

coastal habitats and also providing hurricane 

protection. The Louisiana Coastal Protection 

and Restoration program (LaCPR), authorized 

by Congress late in 2005, directed the Corps of 

Engineers (New Orleans District) in partnership with the State of Louisiana, to initiate 

the LaCPR Project. The project will identify, 

describe and propose a full range of fl ood 

control, coastal restoration, and hurricane 

protection measures for South Louisiana 

(USACE 2006) in a 24-month period.

Under Act 8 of the First Extraordinary Session 

of the 2005 State Legislature, the Louisiana 

Wetlands Conservation and Restoration 

Authority was expanded to become the 

Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration 

Authority (CPRA) and authorized to integrate 

coastal restoration and hurricane protection 

activities. A State coastal Master Plan is being 

developed that will include all coastal projects 

regardless of funding or authorization. This 

Master Plan will integrate coastal restoration 

and hurricane protection and will be the 

general blueprint for coastal restoration and 

management activities in Louisiana.

The CWPPRA Task Force has had regular 

reports by representatives of LaCPR, CPRA, 

LCA, and CIAP at their quarterly meetings, 

and initiatives have been undertaken to 

share information and coordinate activities. 

CWPPRA complements the LaCPR, CPRA, 

LCA and CIAP effort, which all work together 

to restore and sustain Louisiana’s coast. 

CWPPRA is the only program in which all 

fi ve Federal agencies formally participate and 

therefore is an integrated network of technical 
33

expertise and coastal planning information. 

All of the other programs are planned with the 

expectation that the CWPPRA program will 

continue to fulfi ll its role as a program that 

can react quickly with relatively smaller-scale 

projects that effectively address local needs 

and complement regional planning. The 

CWPPRA program has a distinctive niche 

in Louisiana’s coastal planning that is well 

understood and appreciated by the public.

CASE STUDY 1:

 The “Barataria Landbridge” is a critical landform within the Barataria basin that extends 

from east to west between the Mississippi River ridge and the Bayou Lafourche ridge. This 

landbridge is an area of more continuous marsh separating Lake Salvador from the marshes 

of Barataria Bay. The upper portion of the Barataria basin is largely a freshwater-dominated 

system of natural levee ridges, baldcypress - water tupelo swamps, and fresh marsh habitats. The lower portion of the basin is dominated by marine/tidal processes, with barrier 

islands, saline and brackish marshes, tidal channels, and large bays and lakes.

Historically, the landmass 

presently referred to as the 

“Barataria Landbridge” 

allowed only limited 

hydrologic connection 

between the upper and 

lower Barataria basin, 

thereby maintaining a 

healthy and productive 

salinity gradient and habitat diversity. However, the 

hydrologic connections 

between upper and lower 

basin are much greater 

today due to the man-made 

waterways, substantial 

erosion, and interior 

marsh loss. Protecting the 

remaining landmass has been identifi ed as a critical restoration goal for the Barataria basin 

in order to protect the communities of Barataria, Lafi tte, and the west bank of New Orleans.

In addition to the communities that are threatened by continued degradation of the 

Landbridge, numerous oil and gas wells, pipelines, and storage facilities are also at risk. 

To address the problem, the CWPPRA Task Force approved a series of 12 geographically 

related projects costing over $241 million. Projects in areas needing more immediate attention were approved fi rst. When complete, the projects will strengthen the Landbridge by 

re-establishing or protecting 5,200 acres and enhancing 27,500 acres of shorelines, ridges, 

and wetlands.

CWPPRA Projects supporting the Barataria Basin Landbridge
34

CASE STUDY 2:

The Louisiana barrier island chain represents a line of defense from storms and 

sea level rise that threaten coastal wetlands and communities. Once an almost 

continuous chain of beach and dune at the leading edge of the deltaic lobe, the 

barrier islands have signifi cantly deteriorated and the loss of the barrier islands is 

beginning to expose inland bays and petrochemical infrastructure to the Gulf of 

Mexico. To address the problem, the CWPPRA Task Force 

approved a series of individual 

projects to help hold the line as 

ecosystem-wide barrier island 

restoration is planned. Current 

projects contain vegetative plantings including re-establishment 

of woody species that once 

were common on higher areas 

of the island. In all, 10 projects 

costing over $80.2 million have 

been implemented, with another 

9 projects currently in construction or awaiting construction funds. Projects in 

areas needing more immediate attention were approved fi rst. Combined, the 

implemented projects are re-establishing or protecting 6,200 acres and enhancing 

29,800 acres of barrier features, as well as helping to fortify the Louisiana coast. 

Projects supporting CWPPRA’s landscape-level planning for the Louisiana Barrier Islands/Shoreline

Louisiana Barrier Island Restoration

Project Name Project No. Status

Timbalier Island Planting Demonstration TE-18 Complete

Isles Dernieres Restoration - East Island TE-20 Complete

West Belle Pass Headland Restoration TE-23 Complete

Isles Dernieres Restoration - Trinity Island TE-24 Complete

East Timbalier Island Sediment Restoration, Phase 1 TE-25 Complete

Whiskey Island Restoration TE-27 Complete

Raccoon Island Breakwaters Demonstration TE-29 Complete

East Timbalier Island Sediment Restoration, Phase 2 TE-30 Complete

New Cut Dune and Marsh Restoration TE-37 Construction

Timbalier Island Dune and Marsh Creation TE-40 Complete

Ship Shoal: Whiskey West Flank Restoration TE-47 Engineering & Design

Raccoon Island Shoreline Protection/Marsh Creation TE-48 Construction

Whiskey Island Back Barrier Marsh Creation TE-50 Engineering & Design
35

Program Effectiveness in a 

Hurricane-Prone Coast

Louisiana’s coast is one of the most hurricaneprone regions in the U.S. Fortunately, its wetlands provide a natural buffer during storms by 

absorbing surging water. While wetlands can 

not prevent the devastating effects of major 

hurricanes such as Katrina and Rita in 2005, 

wetlands are known to signifi cantly reduce the 

storm surges associated with the more frequent 

tropical storms and smaller hurricanes. In 

Louisiana’s fl at, low-lying coastal areas, 

reductions in storm surge can mean the difference between an area that survives a storm and 

one that suffers signifi cant damage.

CWPPRA projects are susceptible to hurricane 

damage but many provide protection features 

that can reduce the damaging impact of hurricanes. CWPPRA has constructed several 

shoreline protection projects protecting many 

miles of interior shoreline. The South White 

Lake Shoreline Protection project highlighted 

in the previous section is just one of the many 

CWPPRA projects aimed at reducing shoreline 

erosion that has demonstrated resilience to 

hurricane impacts.

CWPPRA projects can also protect coastal 

infrastructure and human safety. The Bayou 

LaBranche Wetland Creation project (PO17) created 284 acres of land by pumping 

sediment from a shallow borrow area in Lake 

Pontchartrain. The project is located within 

an area of otherwise deteriorating marsh and 

swamp that lie directly in front of the St. 

Charles Parish Hurricane Protection levee. 

These wetlands buffer this levee from surge 

and wave attack from Lake Pontchartrain. 

During Hurricanes Katrina and Rita the St. 

Charles Parish levee was not overtopped nor 

damaged. This is due, in part, to the wetland 

buffer provided by the Bayou LaBranche 

wetland creation project. This project suffered 

no adverse effects from Hurricane Katrina 

or Rita and continues to provide important 

habitat and fl ood protection benefi ts.

A post-hurricane assessment of damage to constructed CWPPRA projects from Hurricanes 

Katrina and Rita revealed that 75% of all 

constructed CWPPRA projects did not suffer 

any obvious damage. Eighteen constructed 

projects received some degree of damages. 

Typical storm-induced damages included 

removal of sand fences, deposition of storm 

debris, and overtopping of water control structures. Only two projects, Cameron-Creole 

Maintenance (CS-04a) and Replace Sabine 

Refuge Structures (CS-23), were considered 

inoperable until post-hurricane repairs were 

made. The damaged projects are listed in 

Table 3.

CS-31 sand fencing damaged during Hurricane Rita. Photo 

provided by Louisiana Department of Natural Resources.

TV-14 project features including shoreline protection, canal 

closures, and isolation of Lake Sand from Vermilion Bay 

with a rock dike on the northeastern edge of Marsh Island. 

Photo provided by New Orleans District Corps of Engineers.
36

Table 3. Constructed CWPPRA projects 

damaged from

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita*

(based on preliminary assessment)

Hurricane Katrina:

Caernarvon Diversion Outfall Management (BS-03a)

Isles Dernieres Restoration East Island (TE-20)

GIWW to Clovelly Hydrologic Restoration (BA-02)

Hopedale Hydrologic Restoration (PO-24)

Hurricane Rita:

Cameron-Creole Maintenance (CS-04a)

Timbalier Island Dune and Marsh Restoration (TE-40)

Isles Dernieres Restoration Trinity Island (TE-24)

Whiskey Island Restoration (TE-27)

East Timbalier Island Sediment Restoration Phase I (TE-25)

East Timbalier Island Sediment Restoration Phase II (TE-30)

Marsh Island Hydrologic Restoration (TV-14)

Holly Beach Sand Management (CS-31)

Replace Sabine Refuge Water Control Structures (CS-23)**

East Mud Lake Marsh Management (CS-20)

East Sabine Lake Hydrologic Restoration (CS-32)

Highway 384 Hydrologic Restoration (CS-21)

Cameron Creole Plugs (CS-17)

Humble Canal Hydrologic Restoration (ME-11)

*Note 75% of constructed CWPPRA projects were undamaged

**The water control structures have remained inoperable since Hurricane Rita.
37

Through its Task Force, CWPPRA 

mandates an interagency approach 

to restoration planning and project 

nomination, selection, and implementation. The diverse mandates of agencies 

on the Task Force and its associated 

committees, in combination with the 

academic community, provide reviews 

of project evaluation, selection, design, 

and implementation from many perspectives. Early and close coordination 

throughout the project implementation process 

reduces surprises during environmental 

clearance.

The CWPPRA program has produced a 

unique, cooperative interagency effort in 

coastal restoration – creating a broad coalition 

with strengths that far exceed the sum of the 

strengths of the individual agencies. The 

selection and implementation of a wide variety 

of project types to address a diverse set of 

wetlands loss issues is fostered by the different, but complementary, capabilities of the 

participating agencies. The collaboration of 

Federal and State agencies brings a wide range 

of expertise to the CWPPRA program (e.g., 

engineers, hydrologists, ecologists, biologists, 

soil scientists, etc.), allowing for issues and 

projects to be sponsored by agencies having a 

“best fi t” and ensuring effi cient development 

and implementation. 

The CWPPRA program has benefi ted from 

valuable public input from a broad range of 

coalitions and partnerships. Local governments, non-profi t environmental groups, commercial and industrial interests, and private 

landowners all play active roles in project 

evaluation. Private landowners provide valuable information regarding wetlands under 

their ownership. CWPPRA public meetings 

are held throughout the year. All quarterly 

Task Force meetings, and those of their committees, are open to public comment to maximize the opportunity for public input. This 

transparent public process promotes program 

integrity and improves projects.

One of the major strengths of the CWPPRA 

program is the grassroots project development 

process. The bottom-up process ensures local 

interests (including citizens, landowners, and 

local governments) identify local restoration 

needs, fosters public “buy-in” to specifi c 

projects, provides critical support, and allows 

full public participation. Projects are evaluated and selected through a three-tier process 

beginning at the hydrologic basin level, progressing through regional levels, and fi nally 

competing at a coastwide level.

The CWPPRA program’s annual PPL selection process reacts to the need for changes 

in the selection process itself and responds 

to developing coastal issues and areas of 

concern. The Task Force has improved the 

selection process several times by stipulating a 

minimum number of projects to be nominated 

or selected in basins experiencing higher 

rates of land loss and to allow the public to 

nominate projects for evaluation in regional 

Critical 

Programmatic 

Features of 

CWPPRA
38

planning team meetings. Localized areas 

suffering acute land loss from storms have 

been addressed by the selection of projects on 

annual PPLs. Even though CWPPRA allows 

for fl exibility in project selection, the program 

does have built in checks and balances. For 

example, the program uses Coast 2050 

Strategies as a requirement for the consideration of projects. The annual identifi cation, 

planning, design, and construction procedures 

include interagency and academic reviews 

based on developing information and provides 

for a phased approval and oversight at specifi c 

milestones. Project development standards are 

applied to each project at each stage to attain 

consistency among projects.

The CWPPRA program focuses on project 

implementation and limits expenditures for 

planning to $5M annually. More than 90% 

of CWPPRA’s wetland restoration funding in 

Louisiana goes directly into the engineering 

and design, construction, monitoring, operation, and maintenance of restoration projects. 

There is an emphasis on the speed of project 

implementation. To date, the average time 

to complete a project from the time of its 

initial PPL selection and authorization is 5.2 

years. The completion time for demonstration 

projects is slightly less at 4.1 years. Eightytwo percent of all projects completed were 

designed and constructed in less than six 

years. Recently CWPPRA has improved its 

effi ciency in project development and implementation. Projects selected and completed 

since 2000, have been completed on average 

in 3.1 years.

The CWPPRA program has historically 

assessed the effects of constructed projects 

using a project-specifi c monitoring approach. 

Beginning in 2003, the Louisiana Department 

of Natural Resources and the U.S. Geological 

Survey (CWPPRA Monitoring Program CoChairs) received approval from the CWPPRA 

Task Force to use the Coastwide Reference 

Monitoring System (CRMS) as a means to 

provide more systemic monitoring of coastal 

wetlands (Steyer et al. 2003). The CRMS 

program approach uses hundreds of monitoring sites strategically placed across coastal 

Louisiana to provide extensive hydrologic, 

vegetative, soil property, water level, and 

salinity data (Figure 12). In combination with 

other comprehensive monitoring programs, the 

CRMS program will provide extensive data 

regarding coastal wetland structure and functions, and changes over time. Annual reports 

summarize project results to provide feedback 

to the planning and project development 

process. Data collection under CRMS began 

in 2005, and initial information gathered has 

been utilized by coastal restoration programs 

in Louisiana to support post-hurricane planning and assessment.

Section 303(a) of CWPPRA allows for smallscale projects necessary to demonstrate the 

use of technologies or methods that have not 

been fully developed for routine application 

in coastal Louisiana and address engineering 

and/or technical challenges in rebuilding 

coastal Louisiana. Approved CWPPRA 

demonstration projects address challenges 

related to barrier island restoration, shoreline 

protection, vegetative restoration, fl oating 

marsh restoration, and dredging technology 

for marsh creation. To date, 16 demonstration 

projects have been selected on PPLs 1–15 at a 

combined cost of $19.1 million.

In the 15 years since CWPPRA began, some 

restoration techniques have worked well, some 

needed to be modifi ed, while others have been 

less successful. Lessons learned have resulted 

in increased knowledge regarding how to best 

design and construct freshwater and sediment 

diversion projects, marsh creation projects 
39

utilizing dredged material, barrier island 

restoration projects, foreshore rock dikes and 

segmented breakwaters, and vegetated earthen 

terraces. Adaptive management combined 

with lessons learned under CWPPRA’s 

20-year monitoring program have resulted in 

continuous improvement within the CWPPRA 

program.

CWPPRA also directs that a program be 

carried out “for the purpose of educating the 

public concerning the necessity to conserve 

wetlands.” Therefore, the CWPPRA Public 

Outreach Committee was formed to guide this 

important program element. The committee 

is responsible for formulating information 

distribution strategies and public education 

initiatives; maintaining a web site of complex 

technical and educational materials; developing audio-visual presentations, exhibits, 

publications and news releases; and conducting special events such as project dedications 

and groundbreaking ceremonies. Additionally, 

the committee represents the CWPPRA 

Task Force at expositions and workshops to 

educate the public regarding coastal wetlands 

restoration. These activities and the regular 

public administrative meetings have greatly 

educated the public by raising awareness of 

coastal issues and restoration technology (and 

its limitations). This public awareness and 

Figure 12. Map of the Coastwide Reference Monitoring System (CRMS) being developed by CWPPRA to monitor 

CWPPRA projects and coastwide conditions. CRMS will also assist in future monitoring of non-CWPPRA restoration 

projects throughout the Louisiana coast.

EPA CWPPRA team and the Estuarians (from America’s 

Wetland Campaign to Save Coastal Louisiana) at a 

CWPPRA dedication ceremony on Grand Isle. Photo provided 

by the Environmental Protection Agency.
40

education has laid a solid foundation for other 

programs to effectively engage the public so 

that restoration efforts may be brought to a 

greater level of activity and scale.

CWPPRA is a mature program with a proven 

record of project execution. The public 

is engaged and understands a well-honed 

process of selecting and designing projects. 

Although larger restoration programs may be 

developing, CWPPRA is still the only coastal 

restoration program in Louisiana with secure 

funding and a well-developed process that 

allows incremental adjustments as needed.
41

Introduction

Since 1990, the CWPPRA program 

has been the backbone of Louisiana’s 

coastal restoration efforts, constructing 78 projects, performing various 

levels of engineering and design for an 

additional 47 projects, and developing a 

comprehensive set of restoration strategies for restoring south Louisiana’s coastal 

wetlands to a sustainable level in a plan known 

as “Coast 2050: Toward a Sustainable Coastal 

Louisiana”. Because the CWPPRA program 

has been the only major joint Federal/State 

coastal restoration effort in Louisiana with 

a regular and recurring funding stream, the 

Program has taken on a full slate of coastal 

restoration activities including: a) planning 

at the local, regional, and coastwide levels; 

b) development, construction, maintenance 

and monitoring of small to moderately large 

coastal restoration projects; c) development 

and initiation of engineering and design 

of large and complex coastal restoration 

projects; d) project-specifi c and coastwide 

monitoring of hydrologic, vegetative, and 

landscape conditions; e) public participation, 

outreach, and education; and f) development 

and implementation of demonstration projects 

to advance restoration technology. The 

CWPPRA program has remained fl exible and 

has periodically revised procedures to increase 

program effi ciency, but it is evident that the 

Program, with its present funding level, cannot 

confront the scale and complexity of land loss 

problems facing coastal Louisiana.

For this reason, there are four major additional 

efforts related to the restoration of coastal 

Louisiana ongoing at this time:

• Coastal Impact Assistance Program (CIAP). 

CIAP was authorized by Section 384 of 

the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to assist 

coastal producing states and their political 

subdivisions in mitigating the impacts of 

Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) oil and gas 

production. It is estimated that from 2007 

through 2010 the State of Louisiana will 

receive about $350 million and Louisiana 

coastal parishes will receive about $189 

million. The State is presently developing 

its CIAP plan with a target submittal to 

Mineral Management Service in October 

2006.

• Louisiana Coastal Area Comprehensive 

Coastwide Ecosystem Restoration Study 

(LCA Study). The Corps of Engineers has 

generated a Chief of Engineer’s Report 

detailing a $1.9 billion “Near Term Plan” 

which is being considered for authorization 

by Congress. The Near Term Plan includes: 

a) fi ve near-term critical ecosystem restoration projects, b) a science and technology 

program, c) demonstration projects, d) a 

benefi cial use of dredged material program, 

and e) investigations of additional ecosystem restoration features. The LCA Study is 

currently funded at $21 million. Ongoing 

activities include: a) Barataria Barrier 

Shoreline Feasibility Study, b) Benefi cial 

Use Feasibility Study, c) Chenier Plain 

Freshwater and Sediment Management 

and Allocation Reassessment Study, d) 

St. Bernard Parish Ecosystem Restoration 

Study, and e) Science and Technology 

Program. 

• Louisiana Coastal Protection and 

Restoration Project (LaCPR). With a 

total appropriation to date of $20 milA Strategic 

Vision for 

CWPPRA
42

lion, Congress has directed the Corps of 

Engineers, New Orleans District, in partnership with the State of Louisiana, to identify, 

describe and propose a full range of fl ood 

control, coastal restoration, and hurricane 

protection measures for South Louisiana. 

The Preliminary Report was completed in 

July 2006, and the Final Design Report is 

due to Congress in December 2007.

• State of Louisiana’s Comprehensive 

Coastal Protection Plan (Master Plan). 

The Louisiana Coastal Protection and 

Restoration Authority is presently developing this Master Plan with the directive 

of combining hurricane protection with 

the protection, conservation, restoration, 

and enhancement of coastal wetlands and 

barrier shorelines or reefs. A draft of this 

Master Plan is scheduled to be completed 

by October 2006, with a fi nal plan due 

February 2007.

With the CWPPRA program, the LCA Study, 

the LaCPR Project, the Louisiana Master Plan, 

and CIAP efforts moving concurrently, the 

CWPPRA Task Force is compelled to contemplate two important questions:

• What is the most effective coastal restoration role that the CWPPRA program can 

serve in the immediate future?

• With CWPPRA authorized and funded 

through 2019, what will be the future role 

of the CWPPRA program?

CWPPRA’s Immediate Role 

in Louisiana’s Coastal 

Restoration Efforts

Construct Sound, Cost-Effective Restoration 

Projects

The CWPPRA Task Force remains committed 

to the development, construction, maintenance, and monitoring of small to moderately 

large coastal restoration projects in accordance 

with Coast 2050 Strategies. The CWPPRA 

program shall continue to restore, preserve, 

and/or enhance habitat in areas that need 

immediate help due to chronic problems, hurricane-induced damage, or other event-driven 

marsh loss. In areas targeted for large scale 

restoration projects, the CWPPRA program 

can respond in a 3 to 5 year time frame to 

prevent larger problems and stabilize the landscape while waiting for the larger restoration 

projects to be built pursuant to other programs 

such as LCA, the LaCPR Project, and/or the 

Louisiana Master Plan . The CWPPRA Task 

Force shall consider a mechanism for further 

accelerating projects in critical, event-driven 

marsh loss areas.

The CWPPRA program shall also continue to 

conceive, design, and construct projects that 

work in concert (spatially and functionally) 

with other restoration projects to achieve 

landscape level benefi ts, with particular 

emphasis on accomplishing the Coast 2050 

Regional Strategies.

Engineering and Design of Selected Projects

With the present CWPPRA funding level and 

the surplus of designed but unfunded projects, 

the Program shall 1) perform full engineering 

and design of small to moderately large projects, and 2) initiate planning and preliminary 

engineering of existing large and/or complex 

CWPPRA projects. For large and/or complex 

projects, the CWPPRA Task Force shall look 

for opportunities to transfer such projects to 

other program(s) with potential construction 

funding; such transfers would be pursued 

only in cases where the other program has 

authorization, funds, manpower, and ability to 

proceed without loss of project momentum.
43

Partnerships with Other Efforts

A CWPPRA-CIAP partnership is currently 

being developed whereby CWPPRA contributes planning, engineering and design, 

followed by CIAP performing construction, 

then CWPPRA taking on the responsibilities 

of operation, maintenance, and monitoring. 

The primary target projects for such a partnership would be those CWPPRA projects which 

have reached 95% completion of engineering 

and design, but for which there are insuffi cient CWPPRA funds for construction. A 

CWPPRA-CIAP partnership for a given 

project would have to be mutually agreed upon 

by both Programs.

The CWPPRA program shall consider partnerships with other coastal restoration programs 

whenever such a partnership would provide an 

opportunity to facilitate construction, operation, maintenance, and monitoring of quality 

projects.

The CWPPRA program also shall continue 

to participate in the LCA efforts, the LaCPR 

Project, and the Louisiana Master Plan to 

maximize the use and value of planning, ecological, and engineering personnel; eliminate 

program redundancy; and to minimize any 

programmatic, temporal, or spatial gaps that 

could arise among these budding restoration 

programs.

Operation, Maintenance, Monitoring, and 

Adaptive Management

The CWPPRA program shall remain committed to performing operation, maintenance, 

monitoring, and adaptive management on 

constructed CWPPRA projects.

Lessons Learned

Because the CWPPRA Task Force recognizes 

the need to learn from past and ongoing activities and to apply those lessons to improve 

the design, construction, and performance of 

CWPPRA projects, the CWPPRA program has 

embraced and applied monitoring and adaptive 

management principles to its projects and 

planning processes, and will continue to do so. 

The Task Force desires to improve information exchange among agencies and across 

project phases such as design, construction, 

monitoring, and adaptive management. The 

program is well positioned to participate in the 

proposed LCA Science and Technology program if authorized, and the LaCPR’s emerging 

risk-based approach to project evaluations.

Public Participation, Outreach, and 

Education

The CWPPRA program shall maintain its 

close working relationship with the general 

public, local governments, and private entities, 

allowing their continued participation in shaping program policies, as well as nominating, 

developing, and implementing projects. The 

CWPPRA program’s outreach and education 

efforts shall continue, while coordinating with 

other programs for consistency of message and 

to avoid duplication of efforts.

Demonstration Projects

The CWPPRA Task Force has authorized 

16 demonstration projects since 1990 in an 

effort to advance restoration technology. 

Demonstration project results have been used 

to improve the design of full-scale projects. 

Due to funding constraints, the Task Force 

did not authorize any demonstration projects 

in Fiscal Year 2005 or Fiscal Year 2006. 

However, recognizing the importance of 

demonstration projects, the Task Force will 

consider funding at least one credible demonstration project annually.
44

CWPPRA’s Future Role 

in Louisiana’s Coastal 

Restoration Efforts

The CWPPRA Task Force is prepared to take 

any one of three future roles in Louisiana’s 

coastal restoration efforts, largely dependent 

on potential Congressional coastal restoration 

legislation, and the outcome, funding, timing, 

and success of the LCA Study, the LaCPR 

Project, and/or the Louisiana Master Plan.

• Until such time that one or more of those 

efforts becomes approved, suffi ciently 

funded, and successful at constructing 

major restoration projects, the CWPPRA 

program will continue to perform its current 

full slate of coastal restoration activities, 

and its role will remain largely as described 

above. The Program will attempt to 

increase the exchange of “lessons learned” 

to improve the design, construction, and 

performance of CWPPRA projects.

• When one or more of those efforts becomes 

approved, suffi ciently funded, and successful at constructing major restoration 

projects, the CWPPRA program will shift 

its efforts away from any larger scale restoration project(s) to be constructed via one of 

those efforts. The CWPPRA program will 

continue to: a) protect and sustain the landscape in those areas targeted by the larger 

scale restoration efforts; b) restore and/or 

preserve habitat in areas of immediate need; 

c) construct synergistic projects to achieve 

landscape level benefi ts in areas that may 

not benefi t from the larger scale restoration 

program(s); d) pursue partnerships to maximize “on-the-ground” restoration; e) perform operation, maintenance, monitoring, 

and adaptive management on constructed 

CWPPRA projects; f) increase the exchange 

of “lessons learned” to improve project 

design, construction, and management; 

g) seek public participation; h) conduct 

outreach and education activities; and i) 

develop and implement demonstration 

projects to advance restoration technology.

• Regardless of funding levels for the LCA 

Study, the LaCPR Project, the Louisiana 

Master Plan, and/or any other large scale 

Louisiana coastal restoration program, 

the CWPPRA Task Force stands ready to 

increase its construction/restoration activity. 

CWPPRA has 78 projects costing over 

$624.5M constructed or ready for construction, another 11 projects costing $262.3M 

are unfunded, but ready for construction 

and 36 more projects costing $651.1M are 

undergoing engineering and design. With 

those projects and the anticipated initiation of more Priority Project List projects 

each year during its current authorization 

which extends through 2019, the CWPPRA 

program is playing a signifi cant, but 

constrained, role in combating coastal land 

loss in Louisiana. With funding constraints 

removed, the CWPPRA program could 

greatly increase its “on the ground” restoration by constructing all of those projects not 

yet funded for construction, plus additional 

restoration projects that are not yet part of 

the CWPPRA program.

With an exceptional record of success, a strong 

and effective programmatic structure, a strategy and vision, the CWPPRA Task Force has a 

strong desire to make an even more signifi cant 

contribution to reestablishing a sustainable 

ecosystem in coastal Louisiana.
45
46
47

Project Execution

• Since its inception, CWPPRA has been 

executing projects to fulfi ll its legislated 

mandate to plan, restore and protect wetlands in south Louisiana.

• In the last 15 years, the program has 

selected, designed and constructed 66 

projects with 12 currently under construction at a total cost of over $624.5 million. 

These projects are expected to re-establish 

or protect a total of approximately 70,616 

net acres and enhance 320,354 acres of 

additional wetlands.

• Thirty-six CWPPRA projects at a total cost 

of approximately $651.1 million are in the 

engineering and design phase. These projects are anticipated to re-establish or protect 

approximately 29,153 net acres and enhance 

190,374 acres of additional wetlands.

• Eleven CWPPRA projects have been 

designed but have not been approved for 

construction due to CWPPRA’s annual 

funding limitations. These projects would 

cost approximately $262.3 million and 

re-establish or protect 3,512 net acres and 

enhance 4,485 acres of additional wetlands.

• Each constructed project is assessed 

throughout its lifetime using an intensive 

monitoring program. The feedback gained 

by monitoring allows the program to 

continually improve project designs and 

establishes information on the performance 

of restoration techniques under different 

local circumstances. 

• The CWPPRA program designs and constructs projects effi ciently with an average 

of 5.2 years to complete a project from the 

time of its initial authorization. Eighty-two 

percent of all completed projects have 

fi nished design and construction in six years 

or less.

• CWPPRA utilizes less expensive demonstration projects to develop technologies or 

methods that have not been fully developed 

for routine application in coastal Louisiana 

and to address engineering and/or technical 

challenges in rebuilding coastal Louisiana. 

To date, 16 demonstration projects have 

been selected on PPLs 1–15 at a combined 

cost of $19.1 million.

Program Administration

• CWPPRA’s governing structure is a successful collaboration between governmental 

agencies. Five Federal agencies sit on the 

Louisiana Coastal Wetlands Conservation 

and Restoration Task Force, commonly 

referred to as the CWPPRA Task Force. 

These agencies include the U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service, the Natural Resources 

Conservation Service, the NOAA National 

Marine Fisheries Service, the U.S. 

Environmental Protection Agency, and 

the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The 

Louisiana Governor’s Offi ce represents the 

State on the Task Force while the Louisiana 

Department of Natural Resources is the 

local cost share sponsor for project implementation. In addition, academic advisors 

are involved in various stages such as 

environmental and monitoring workgroups.

• CWPPRA is an effi cient program which 

limits expenditures for planning to $5 million each year. As a result, approximately 

90% of CWPPRA’s funds are spent on 

direct project costs.

Conclusions
48

• CWPPRA project development and funding 

is a transparent public process that includes 

at least 14 public meetings per year, traditional public outreach, and public internet 

website access.

• The interagency approach and continuous 

engagement with the public allows the 

program to respond to the evolving needs 

of the coast, and therefore has continuously 

made incremental adjustments to the program as appropriate.

Continuing Need for CWPPRA

• Coastal Louisiana is a “working coast” with 

a close relationship between the coast and 

its people, habitats, industry, and culture. 

Coastal restoration therefore, also supports 

the economy and culture of south Louisiana. 

Restoration of Louisiana’s coast directly 

supports national goals of energy security, 

enhanced trade and fi sheries and wildlife 

conservation.

• Coastal Louisiana is in a prolonged period 

of crisis due to high rates of wetland loss by 

conversion to open water. During the 20th 

century, coastal Louisiana has lost over 1.2 

million acres (1,875 square miles), an area 

more than 25 times larger than Washington, 

D.C.

• Preliminary estimates from the U.S. 

Geological Survey indicate that 138,880 

acres (217 square miles) of land has been 

transformed to new open water areas in 

coastal Louisiana as a result of Hurricanes 

Katrina and Rita. In localized areas, the 

potential wetland losses from these two 

hurricanes exceeded estimates of future land 

loss over the next 50 years.

• The CWPPRA program produced the 

State’s fi rst comprehensive plan in 1993 

and has continued to promote and develop 

regional, comprehensive coastal restoration 

planning. In 1998, Coast 2050: Toward a 

Sustainable Coastal Louisiana was completed. The fi ve Federal CWPPRA agencies 

also contributed to the development of the 

LCA plan and continue to coordinate their 

activities with emerging programs such as 

CIAP and LaCPR.

• The CWPPRA program has a proven track 

record in meeting near-term restoration 

needs along strategic areas of the coast. 

This effective program will continue to 

restore Louisiana’s wetlands and work 

collaboratively with larger programs as they 

develop.

• The 2005 hurricane season amplifi ed the 

need to link coastal restoration and fl ood 

protection in south Louisiana. Future 

coastal planning in CWPPRA and other 

coastal Louisiana programs will place 

additional priority on the wetland function 

as a buffer to storm surge.

Strategic Vision for CWPPRA

• As the only joint Federal/State coastal restoration effort with a regular and recurring 

funding stream, the immediate future of the 

CWPPRA program is to continue to pursue 

a full slate of coastal restoration activities.

• In addition to its ongoing activities, the 

CWPPRA program is pursing a partnership 

with CIAP to increase the effectiveness of 

both programs.

• The CWPPRA program will strive to 

increase the exchange of “lessons learned” 

to improve project design, construction, and 

management.

• If the LCA Study, the LaCPR Project, the 

Louisiana Master Plan, and/or any other 

large scale Louisiana coastal restoration 

program becomes approved, suffi ciently 
49

funded, functioning, and successful at 

constructing major restoration projects, 

the CWPPRA program will re-evaluate its 

focus in coordination with other restoration 

programs. It may be appropriate for the 

CWPPRA program to shift its efforts away 

from any larger scale restoration project(s) 

to be constructed via one of those efforts 

and focus on its remaining slate of restoration activities, including but not limited to 

stabilizing the landscape in areas targeted 

by the larger scale restoration efforts and 

constructing synergistic projects to achieve 

landscape-level benefi ts in areas that may 

not benefi t from the larger scale restoration 

efforts.

• Finally, whether or not any large scale 

Louisiana coastal restoration program gets 

approved and funded, the CWPPRA Task 

Force stands ready and has a vision to 

increase its contribution to reestablishing a 

sustainable ecosystem in coastal Louisiana.
50
51

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of three maps: USGS Open File Report 

06-1274.

Barras, J., S. Hartley, J. B. Johnston, and W. 

R. Jones. 2004. 100+ years of land change for 

coastal Louisiana: ESRI.

Barras, J., S. Beville, D. Britsch, S. Hartley, 

S. Hawes, J. Johnston, P. Kemp, Q. Kinler, 

A. Martucci, J. Porthouse, D. Reed, K. Roy, 

S. Sapkota, and J. Suhayda. 2003. Historical 

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J.T. Morris, W.K. Nutle, C.A. Simenstad, 

and D.J.P. Swift. 1994. Scientifi c assessment 

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management in Louisiana. Journal of Coastal 

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National Wetlands Research Center, Lafayette, 

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Hill, S.M. and M. M. Green 2005. Coastal 

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Louisiana Coastal Wetlands Conservation 

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Wetlands Planning, Protection, and 

Restoration Act: Louisiana Coastal Wetlands 

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Wetlands Conservation and Restoration Task 

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52

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and Restoration Task Force. 2003. The 2003 

Evaluation Report to the U.S. Congress on the 

Effectiveness of Coastal Wetland Planning, 

Protection and Restoration Act Projects. Baton 

Rouge, LA: Louisiana Department of Natural 

Resources. 27 pp.

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), 

Fisheries Statistics and Economics Division. 

2003. “Fisheries of the United States, 2002”. 

Silver Spring, Maryland. 141 pp.

Steyer, G. D., C.E. Sasser, J. M. Visser, E. 

M. Swenson, J.A. Nyman, and R. C. Raynie. 

2003. A proposed coast-wide reference monitoring system for evaluating wetland restoration trajectories in Louisiana. Environmental 

Monitoring and Assessment 81:107-117.

Stone, G.W., J.M. Grymes, J.R. Dingler, and 

D.A. Pepper. 1997. Overview and signifi cance 

of hurricanes on the Louisiana coast U.S.A. 

Journal of Coastal Research 13(3):656-669.

Stone, G., A. Sheremet, X. Zhang, and A. 

Braud. 2003. Coastal land loss and wave 

surge predictions during hurricanes in coastal 

Louisiana: Implications for the oil and gas 

industry. Final Project Report Prepared for the 

Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, 

U.S. Geological Survey, and U.S. Minerals 

Management Service. 35 pp.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 1965. 

“Morgan City and vicinity, Louisiana,” letter 

from Secretary of the Army, transmitting a 

letter from the Chief of Engineers, Department 

of the Army, dated May 28th, 1964, U.S. 

Government Printing Offi ce, 89th Congress, 

House Document No. 167.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). 

2004. Louisiana Coastal Area (LCA) 

Louisiana - Ecosystem Restoration StudyNovember 2004. 2741 pp.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). 

2006. 2006 Louisiana Coastal Protection and 

Restoration- Preliminary Technical Report to 

the United States Congress– July 2006. 48pp.
53

Appendices

Appendix I. CWPPRA Projects Authorized on Priority Lists 1-15 in Region 1 and Coastwide

Project Name

Activitiesa

Priority List

Agencyb

Project Typec

Project Statusd

Year

Completed

Anticipated 

Acres

Created/

Restored 

and

Protectede

Current 

Estimated 

Cost

(20-yr)

EngineeringLandrightsConstructionMonitoringOperation & Maintenance

Fritchie Marsh

Restoration (PO-06) C C C I I 2 NRCS HR C 2001 1,040 $2,201,674

● The purpose of the project is to address wetland loss in the area and to improve habitat for wildlife and fi sheries by increasing the fl ow of 

freshwater into the marsh and managing the outfall. Project features include diverting part of the W-14 canal and installing larger culverts under 

Highway 90 to increase the fl ow of the Lower Pearl River into the project area.

Violet Freshwater

Distribution (PO-09a) I I N/A N/A N/A 3 NRCS HR D N/A N/A $128,627

● The objective of the outfall management plan was to optimize the use of freshwater supplied by the existing siphons by managing water fl ow 

through the area. This would be accomplished by reducing channelized fl ow and routing the diverted fl ow across marshes or through shallow water 

areas instead of through larger channels. This project was offi cially deauthorized by the CWPPRA Task Force in October of 2001.

Bayou Sauvage National 

Wildlife Refuge 

Hydrologic Restoration, 

Phase I (PO-16)

C C C I I 1 USFWS HR C 1996 1,550 $1,630,193

● The Lake Pontchartrain hurricane protection levee isolated Units 3 and 4 of the Bayou Sauvage Wildlife Refuge from the surrounding marsh complex and established a large freshwater impoundment. The project utilizes pumps to remove the excess water during the spring and summer. 

Bayou LaBranche

Wetland Creation (PO-17) C C C I N/A 1 USACE MC C 1994 203 $3,817,929 

● The project goal was to create vegetated wetlands in an area bounded by I-10, Lake Pontchartrain, and Bayou LaBranche. This objective was accomplished by dredging sediment from Lake Pontchartrain.

Bayou Sauvage National 

Wildlife Refuge

Hydrologic Restoration, 

Phase II (PO-18)

C C C I I 2 USFWS HR C 1997 1,280 $1,642,552 

● The hurricane protection levee system has impounded the marsh in the project area. The project increases the drainage capacity of the system to 

reduce water levels in the project area. Project features consist of two 36-inch pumps which operate to maintain water levels at 0.5 feet above or 

below marsh elevation.

Mississippi River Gulf 

Outlet Disposal Area 

Marsh Protection

(PO-19)

C N/A C N/A N/A 3 USACE HR C 1999 755 $313,145

● The objective of the project is to protect and preserve vegetated wetlands by repairing the lateral and rear dikes of the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MRGO) disposal areas. Repairs to a 28,000 linear-foot dike, in conjunction with the installation of metal box weirs with a single 40-inch pipe is 

used to control and divert water fl ow to prevent the perched marshes from draining.

Red Mud (PO-20)

Demonstration C C C I N/A 3 EPA MC D N/A N/A $470,500 

● This project was authorized to determine whether red mud, produced as a by-product of removing alumina from bauxite, could be utilized as 

marsh-creation material in combination with compost and marsh sediment. Construction of the experimental units was initiated in 1997; however, 

due to unexpected problems with fi ll material, liners, and contaminants in the water source, the project was offi cially deauthorized by the CWPPRA 

Task Force in August 2001.

Eden Isles East Marsh 

Restoration (PO-21) I N/A N/A N/A N/A 4 NMFS HR D N/A N/A $39,025 

● The project was intended to restore 2,536 acres of drained fastlands by actively managing water levels to maximize marsh creation. There was 

a change in landowners of the project area during the planning phase of this project. Consequently, the project was offi cially deauthorized by the 

CWPPRA Task Force in January 1998.
54

Project Name

Activitiesa

Priority List

Agencyb

Project Typec

Project Statusd

Year

Completed

Anticipated 

Acres

Created/

Restored 

and

Protectede

Current 

Estimated 

Cost

(20-yr)

EngineeringLandrightsConstructionMonitoringOperation & Maintenance

Bayou Chevee Shoreline

Protection (PO-22) C C C I I 5 USACE SP C 2001 75 $2,589,403 

● The project is designed to protect currently exposed wetlands areas from erosive wave energy from Lake Pontchartrain, and to enhance the establishment of submerged aquatic vegetation in the ponds behind the rock dikes. This is accomplished by constructing a 2,870 linear-foot rock dike 

across the mouth of the north cove and a 2,820 linear-foot rock dike, tying into an existing USFWS rock dike, across the south cove.

Hopedale Hydrologic 

Restoration (PO-24) C C C I I 8 NMFS HR C 2004 134 $2,432,958 

● This project is designed to abate site-specifi c wetland loss by replacing collapsed culverts installed in the 1950s near Yscloskey, Louisiana. The 

project involves re-furbishment and construction of a water control structure designed to prevent tidal surges and reduce wetland deterioration within the project site. Replacement of this structure would allow more rapid drainage of the area, improve fi sheries access, reduce wetland loss rates.

Bayou Bienvenue Pump 

Station Diversion and 

Terracing (PO-25)

I I N/A N/A N/A 8 NMFS HR/

MC D N/A N/A $212,142 

● This project was intended to combine the use of existing pump stations with the construction of a diversion channel, water control structures, and 

earthen terraces planted with smooth cordgrass (Spartina alternifl ora). This will force the fl ow of freshwater and nutrients through a deteriorated 

marsh area to abate site-specifi c marsh loss. The project was offi cially deauthorized by the CWPPRA Task Force in April 2002.

Opportunistic Use of the 

Bonnet Carre ́ Spillway 

(PO-26) 

I I NI NI NI 9 USACE FR IP Pending 177 $188,383 

● This project is intended to abate high salinity stress on vegetated wetlands surrounding Lake Pontchartrain. This objective will be accomplished 

through the removal of pins from the Bonnet Carre ́ Spillway structure during high fl ow periods in the Mississippi River to allow no more than 

4,000 cubic feet per second of water to fl ow from the river into Lake Pontchartrain.

Chandeleur Islands Marsh 

Restoration (PO-27) C C C I N/A 9 NMFS VP C 2001 220 $937,977 

● This project is intended to accelerate the recovery period of barrier island areas overwashed by Hurricane Georges in 1998 through vegetation 

plantings. The overwash areas, which encompass 364 acres, are located at 22 sites along the Chandeleur Sound side of the island chain and were 

planted with smooth cordgrass (Spartina alternifl ora). 

LaBranche Wetlands, 

Terracing, Planting, and 

Shoreline Protection 

(PO-28)

NI NI NI NI NI 9 NMFS

SNT/

SP/

VP

IP Pending 489 $306,836 

● Located along Lake Pontchartrain, the project intends to reduce emergent marsh loss along the shoreline by restoring and creating 489 acres 

through marsh terracing, shoreline protection, and vegetation planting. 

River Reintroduction into 

Maurepas Swamp (PO-29) 

Complex Project

I I NI NI NI 11 EPA FR IP Pending 5,438 $6,780,307 

● This project is intended to restore a natural hydrologic regime and increase nutrient inputs in cypress-tupelo swamp tracts south of Lake Maurepas. This will be accomplished through the diversion of Mississippi River water into an area of degraded swamp. 

Lake Borgne Shoreline 

Protection (P0-30) C C NI NI NI 10 EPA SP IP Pending 165 $18,285,599

● The goal of this project is to maintain the integrity of the narrow strip of marsh that separates Lake Borgne from the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet 

(MRGO). This land protects the communities of Shell Beach, Yscloskey, and Hopedale from direct exposure to lake wave energy and storm surges. 

This will be accomplished through construction of a nearshore rock breakwater. A separately authorized adjoining project, Lake Borgne Shoreline 

Protection at Bayou Dupre (PO-31), has been merged with this project

Lake Borgne and MRGO 

Shoreline Protection 

(PO-32)

C C NI NI NI 12 USACE SP IP Pending 266 $1,348,345 

● The objective of this project is to preserve the marsh between Lake Borgne and the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MRGO) by preventing shoreline erosion. A rock dike will be constructed along the Lake Borgne shoreline and along the north bank of the MRGO.
55

Project Name

Activitiesa

Priority List

Agencyb

Project Typec

Project Statusd

Year

Completed

Anticipated 

Acres

Created/

Restored 

and

Protectede

Current 

Estimated 

Cost

(20-yr)

EngineeringLandrightsConstructionMonitoringOperation & Maintenance

Goose Point/Point Platte 

Marsh Creation (PO-33) I I NI NI NI 13 USFWS MC IP Pending 436 $1,730,596 

● The objective of this project is to create marsh habitat through the deposition of dredged material in open water areas in the vicinity of Goose 

Point and Point Platte as well as to maintain the lake rim function along this section of the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain.

Nutria Harvest for 

Wetland Restoration 

(LA-03a)

Demonstration

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 6 USFWS N/A C N/A N/A $804,683

● This project enabled the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to promote the consumption of nutria meat by establishing an economic 

incentive program to trap and control nutria, which are contributing to coastal wetland loss.

Coastwide Nutria Control 

Program (LA-03b) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 11 NRCS N/A IP N/A 14,963 $17,737,480 

● The goal of the project is to eliminate or signifi cantly reduce damage to coastal wetlands resulting from nutria herbivory. The implementation of 

an incentive payment program, beginning with the 2002-2003 trapping season, will compensate licensed trappers $4 for each nutria tail delivered to 

a collection center. In 2003, a total of 308,160 nutria tails, worth over 1.2 million dollars in incentive payments, were collected from 342 participants. 466,678 nutria tails were collected during 2004-2006. 

Floating Marsh Creation 

(LA-05)

Demonstration 

C C C NI NI 12 NRCS N/A IP Pending N/A $1,080,891

● The goal of this project is to develop and test unique and previously untested technologies for creating fl oating marsh for potential use in fresh 

and intermediate zones. This project is a demo project that will be used to test the feasibility of buoyant vegetated mats/artifi cial islands to convert 

open water marsh areas and canals into fresh and intermediate marsh zones.

 Shoreline Protection 

Foundation Improvements 

(LA-06)

Demonstration

C C C I NI 13 USACE SP IP Pending N/A $1,055,000

● The goal of this demonstration project is to determine the feasibility of shoreline protection structures where a relatively poor soil foundation 

exists. This goal will be achieved using sand as a foundation beneath rock dike structures as a means to increase bearing capacity and consolidation 

settlement design tolerances. This project will be incorporated into the South White Lake Shoreline Protection (ME-22) project. 

a

Activities: Initiated (I), Completed (C), Not Initiated (NI), or Not Applicable (N/A); Activity status as of 8/1/06.

b

Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), U.S. Army 

Corps of Engineers (USACE), and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)

c

Project Type: Hydrologic Restoration (HR), Marsh Creation (MC), Marsh Management (MM), Shoreline Protection (SP), Vegetative Planting (VP), Sediment and 

Nutrient Trapping (SNT), Freshwater Reintroduction (FR), Outfall Management (OM), Sediment Diversion (SD), Barrier Island Restoration (BI), and Benefi cial Use 

of Dredged Material (DM)

d

Project Status: Completed (C), In Progress (IP), Deauthorized (D)

e

Acres Created/Restored and Protected: The net gain in emergent marsh as a result of project implementation as projected by the Environmental Working Group 

during the Wetland Value Assessment. This fi gure includes acres of emergent marsh to be protected, created, and restored as a result of project implementation estimated at the time the project was approved by the CWPPRA Task Force.
56

Project Name

Activitiesa

Priority List

Agencyb

Project Typec

Project Statusd

Year

Completed

Anticipated 

Acres

Created/

Restored 

and

Protectede

Current 

Estimated 

Cost

(20-yr)

EngineeringLandrightsConstructionMonitoringOperation & Maintenance

GIWW to Clovelly 

Hydrologic Restoration 

(BA-02)

C C C I I 1 NRCS HR C 2000 175 $8,916,131 

● This project will protect intermediate wetlands by restoring natural hydrologic conditions. The project utilizes canal plugs, weirs, and the rebuilding of low overfl ow banks to better retain freshwater and prevent rapid salinity increases resulting from saltwater intrusion. 

Naomi Outfall

Management (BA-03c) C C C I I 5 NRCS OM C 2002 633 $2,181,427 

● The goal of this project is to reduce saltwater intrusion and enhance wetland productivity by managing the outfall of eight existing siphons. The 

two fi xed crest weirs assist in the management of existing siphon outfall water from the Mississippi River into adjacent west bank wetlands.

West Pointe a la Hache 

Outfall Management

(BA-04c)

I NI NI NI NI 3 NRCS OM IP Pending 1,087 $4,068,045 

● This project provides for management of the West Pointe a la Hache siphon outfall area to maximize the retention of freshwater, nutrients, and 

sediment within interior brackish marshes to counteract saltwater intrusion and wetland loss. This project utilizes water control structures to divert 

water from the main distributary channels to secondary channels and allow more effi cient fl ow over the marsh.

Lake Salvador Shoreline 

Protection (BA-15)

Demonstration

CCCC I 3 NMFS SP C 1998 N/A $2,810,353 

● Phase I of the project was constructed to demonstrate the effectiveness of four separate types of segmented breakwaters in a poor soil environment. Phase II of the project included the installation of 8,000 feet of continuous rock structure along the western section of the lake.

Fourchon Hydrologic 

Restoration (BA-18) NI NI NI NI NI 1 NMFS HR D N/A N/A $7,703 

● The goal of this project was to restore tidal exchange to impounded wetlands. The project was offi cially deauthorized by the CWPPRA Task Force 

in July of 1994 at the request of the landowner.

Barataria Bay Waterway 

Wetland Restoration

(BA-19)

C C C I I 1 USACE DM C 1996 445 $1,167,832 

● This project was authorized to create marsh in shallow water areas adjacent to the Barataria Bay Waterway. However, oyster leases prohibited the 

use of the dredged material at all of the marsh creation sites. As an alternative, approximately 9 acres of vegetated wetlands were created adjacent 

to the state-funded Queen Bess project by constructing a rock dike and fi lling the containment area with dredged material from the Barataria Bay 

Waterway.

Jonathan Davis Wetland 

Protection (BA-20) C C C I I 2 NRCS HR/

SP C 2001 510 $28,886,616 

● The goal of this project was to restore the natural hydrologic conditions of the area and reduce shoreline erosion. This is accomplished through a 

constructed series of water control structures and a rock dike.

Bayou Perot/Bayou 

Rigolettes Marsh 

Restoration (BA-21) 

NI I NI NI NI 3 NMFS MC D N/A N/A $20,963 

● This project was authorized to protect deteriorated intermediate-to-brackish marsh located between Lake Salvador and Little Lake by using 

dredged material to re-establish the shoreline. Due to an unstable and rapidly eroding site, the project was deemed unfeasible and was offi cially 

deauthorized by the CWPPRA Task Force in January of 1998.

Bayou L’Ours Ridge 

Hydrologic

Restoration (BA-22)

I I NI NI NI 4 NRCS HR D N/A N/A $371,232 

● This project was proposed to restore natural hydrologic fl ow to the marsh by reinforcing breached areas of the Bayou L’Ours Ridge through a 

series of canal closures and two water control structures. The project was offi cially deauthorized by the CWPPRA Task Force in April 2003.

Appendix II. CWPPRA Projects Authorized on Priority Lists 1-15 in Region 2
57

Project Name

Activitiesa

Priority List

Agencyb

Project Typec

Project Statusd

Year

Completed

Anticipated 

Acres

Created/

Restored 

and

Protectede

Current 

Estimated 

Cost

(20-yr)

EngineeringLandrightsConstructionMonitoringOperation & Maintenance

Barataria Bay Waterway 

West Side Shoreline

Protection (BA-23)

C C C I I 4 NRCS SP C 2000 232 $3,013,365 

● This project is intended to reduce erosion of the channel bank and protect exposed marsh from wake erosion, increased water exchange and rapid 

changes in salinity. The project strategies included armoring the western bank of the Barataria Bay Waterway with approximately 9,400 linear feet 

of rock material and installation of a water control structure to limit saltwater intrusion into the area.

Myrtle Grove Siphon 

(BA-24) NI NI NI NI NI 5 NMFS FR IP Pending 1,119 $489,103 

● The goal of the project is to reduce saltwater intrusion and to nourish existing marsh. This will be accomplished by diverting water through a 

siphon from the Mississippi River to adjacent wetlands.

Mississippi River 

Reintroduction into Bayou 

Lafourche (BA-25b)

I I NI NI NI 11 EPA FR IP Pending 988 $9,700,000 

● The goal of the project is to restore and protect the health of marshes in the Barataria and Terrebonne basins through reintroduction of sedimentand nutrient-laden Mississippi River water via Bayou Lafourche. This project was originally authorized on the 5th PPL as BA-25.

Barataria Bay Waterway 

East Side Shoreline

Protection (BA-26)

C C C I I 6 NRCS SP C 2001 217 $5,224,477 

● The objective of this project is to rebuild the banks of the Barataria Bay Waterway (BBWW), to protect the adjacent marsh from excessive tidal 

action, and to prevent saltwater intrusion. The project consists of installing a 17,600 linear-foot rock dike on the east bank of the BBWW.

Barataria Basin

Landbridge Shoreline 

Protection, Phases 1 and 2 

(BA-27)

C C I NI I

7

and 

8

NRCS SP IP Pending 1,304 $29,429,358 

● This project is designed to protect a deteriorated intermediate-to-brackish marsh located between Lake Salvador and Little Lake by reducing 

shoreline erosion. Phase 1 and 2 of this project will provide 35,000 linear feet of shoreline protection along Bayous Perot and Rigolettes within the 

Barataria basin.

Barataria Basin 

Landbridge Shoreline 

Protection, Phase 3 

(BA-27c) 

C C NI NI I 9 NRCS SP IP 2004* 264 12,819,526

● Phase 3 of this project encompasses approximately 41,000 feet of shoreline protection. Approximately 26,000 feet of protection will 

be along the west bank of Bayou Perot and the north shore of Little Lake in Lafourche Parish. In Jefferson Parish, about 9,600 feet of 

the shoreline protection will be along the east bank of Bayou Rigolettes and approximately 2,700 feet along each bank of Harvey Cutoff. 

*Construction Units 1-3 have been completed.

Barataria Basin 

Landbridge Shoreline 

Protection, Phase 4 

(BA-27d)

C C C I NI 11 NRCS SP IP Pending 256 $16,921,527 

● Phase 4 of this project begins at the intersection of Bayou Rigolettes and Barataria Bay Waterway, and extends about 31,500 feet southward along 

the east bank of Bayou Rigolettes and ties into the northern limit of Phases 1 and 2. 

Vegetative Plantings 

of a Dredged Material 

Disposal Site on Grand 

Terre Island (BA-28)

C C C I N/A 7 NMFS VP C 2001 127 $493,753 

● The goal of this project is to stabilize dredged material sites on the eastern end of Grand Terre Island. This objective was achieved through vegetation plantings and by purchasing grazing rights on the island for the life of the project (20 years). 
58

Project Name

Activitiesa

Priority List

Agencyb

Project Typec

Project Statusd

Year

Completed

Anticipated 

Acres

Created/

Restored 

and

Protectede

Current 

Estimated 

Cost

(20-yr)

EngineeringLandrightsConstructionMonitoringOperation & Maintenance

LA Highway 1 Marsh 

Creation (BA-29) I I N/A N/A N/A 9 EPA MC D N/A N/A $343,551 

● The objective of this project was to create marsh habitat in a large open water area adjacent to Louisiana Highway 1 using dredged material from 

two proposed borrow areas. This project was offi cially deauthorized by the CWPPRA Task Force in February of 2005. 

East Grand Terre

Islands Restoration

(BA-30)

C C NI NI NI 9 NMFS BI IP Pending 335 $2,312,023 

● The goal of this project is to stabilize and benefi t barrier island habitat and extend the island’s life expectancy. Dredged material will be used to 

create dune and marsh habitat.

Delta Building Diversion 

at Myrtle Grove (BA-33) I I NI NI NI 10 USACE SD IP Pending 8,891 $3,002,114 

● The objective of this project is to divert Mississippi River water and sediment for the creation of new emergent wetlands. The project would 

involve installation of gated box culverts on the west bank of the Mississippi River in the vicinity of Myrtle Grove; dedicated dredging from the 

Mississippi River to create marsh in the vicinity of Bayou Dupont, the Barataria Bay Waterway, and the Wilkinson Canal; or a combination of these 

actions.

Mississippi River 

Reintroduction into 

Northwest Barataria 

Basin (BA-34)

I I NI NI NI 10 EPA FR IP Pending 941 $2,362,687 

● The goal of this project is to restore the natural hydrologic regime and add nutrients to adjacent swamp areas. The project will utilize a freshwater 

diversion/siphon from the Mississippi River to northwest Barataria basin wetlands, with gapping of spoil banks and placement of culverts under LA 

Highway 20.

Pass Chaland to Grand 

Bayou Pass Barrier 

Shoreline Restoration 

(BA-35)

C C NI NI NI 11 NMFS BI IP Pending 263 $29,248,688 

● This project will prevent the barrier island from being breached through the deposition of dredged material, the creation of tidal creeks and ponds, 

and vegetation plantings. This will provide a continuous barrier to reduce wave and tidal energy, thereby protecting the mainland shoreline from 

continued erosion.

Dedicated Dredging 

on the Barataria Basin 

Landbridge (BA-36)

C C NI NI NI 11 USFWS MC IP Pending 605 $463,942

● This project, in conjunction with the Barataria Basin Landbridge Shoreline Protection project (BA-27, BA-27c), will protect the functional integrity of this critical area of the Barataria basin. This project will create emergent marsh through the deposition of dredged material into open water areas.

Little Lake Shoreline 

Protection/ Dedicated 

Dredging Near Round 

Lake (BA-37)

C C I NI NI 11 NMFS SP/

MC IP Pending 713 $33,991,940 

● This project is designed to protect area wetlands which currently experience high rates of shoreline erosion. This project will protect approximately 21,000 feet of Little Lake shoreline, create 488 acres of intertidal wetlands, and nourish an additional 532 acres of fragmented, subsiding 

marsh.

Barataria Barrier Island 

Complex Project: Pelican 

Island and Pass La Mer to 

Chaland Pass Restoration 

(BA-38)

C C I NI NI 11 NMFS BI IP Pending 534 $66,493,789 

● The objectives of this project are to create barrier island habitat, enhance storm-related surge and wave protection, prevent overtopping during 

storms, and increase the volume of sand within the active barrier system. Conceptual project plans envision dedicated dredging of local, nearshore 

sand sources to directly create beach, dune, and wetland habitats. This project was fi rst authorized on the 9th PPL as Barrier Island Restoration 

Grand Terre to SW Pass (BA-32).
59

Project Name

Activitiesa

Priority List

Agencyb

Project Typec

Project Statusd

Year

Completed

Anticipated 

Acres

Created/

Restored 

and

Protectede

Current 

Estimated 

Cost

(20-yr)

EngineeringLandrightsConstructionMonitoringOperation & Maintenance

Mississippi River 

Sediment Delivery System 

Bayou Dupont (BA-39)

I I NI NI NI 12 EPA MC IP Pending 400 $2,731,479 

● The goal of this project is to create/restore 538 acres of brackish marsh by delivering, via pipeline, dredged material from the Mississippi River to 

an adjacent area within the Barataria basin, and planting marsh vegetation.

Riverine Sand Mining/

Scofi eld Island

Restoration (BA-40)

NI NI NI NI NI 14 NMFS BI IP Pending 234 $3,211,887 

● The goals of this project are to repair breaches and tidal inlets in the shoreline, reinforce the existing shoreline with sand, and increase the island 

width with back barrier marsh creation to increase longevity. All necessary sand will be mined from the Mississippi River and pumped to the site.

South Shore of the Pen 

Shoreline Protection and 

Marsh Creation (BA-41)

I I NI NI NI 14 NRCS SP/

MC IP Pending 116 $1,311,146 

● The goals of this project are to stop shoreline erosion and to create 74 acres and nourish 107 acres of marsh located between The Pen and Barataria Bay. Approximately 1,000 feet of concrete pile and panel wall and 10,900 feet of rock revetment will be constructed along the south shore of 

The Pen and Bayou Dupont.

Lake Hermitage Marsh 

Creation (BA-42) I I NI NI NI 15 USFWS MC IP Pending 438 $1,197,590 

● The goals of this project are to create wetlands, reduce tidal exchange in marshes surrounding Lake Hermitage, and reduce fetch and turbidity to 

enhance open water habitats.

Caernarvon

Diversion Outfall

Management (BS-03a)

C C C I I 2 NRCS OM C 2002 802 $4,536,000 

● The objective of this project is to promote better utilization of freshwater and nutrients from the Mississippi River via the Caernarvon diversion 

structure during low-discharge periods. The outfall management project includes installation of fl ow through culverts with water control at 8 sites, 

3 plug closures with armor protection, 13,000 feet of spoil bank restoration, and vegetation plantings where applicable. 

White’s Ditch Outfall 

Management (BS-04a) NI I NI NI NI 3 NRCS OM D N/A N/A $32,862 

● This project was designed to direct the fl ow of Mississippi River nutrients and sediment into the deteriorating wetlands in the Breton Sound basin 

that are not directly benefi ted by the Caernarvon Freshwater Diversion project. Because of the failure to secure landrights, the project was offi cially 

deauthorized by the CWPPRA Task Force in January of 1998.

Grand Bay Crevasse

(BS-07) NI I NI NI NI 4 USACE SD D N/A N/A $65,747 

● Project goals included construction of a rock-lined opening through the rocks at the head of the Jurjevich Canal to establish a pathway for 

freshwater and sediment into Grand Bay and the adjacent marshes to create, restore, and enhance wetlands in the area. The project was offi cially 

deauthorized by the CWPPRA Task Force in July of 1998.

Upper Oak River 

Freshwater Siphon

Phase 1 (BS-09)

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 8 NRCS FR D N/A N/A $56,476 

● The primary goal of this project was to reverse the trend of interior marsh deterioration in the project area due to saltwater intrusion, through 

installation of a freshwater siphon and outfall channel. These strategies would have provided freshwater, nutrients, and sediment to enhance marsh 

health. The project was offi cially deauthorized by the CWPPRA Task Force in January of 2003. 

Delta Building Diversion 

North of Fort St. Philip 

(BS-10)

I I NI NI NI 10 USACE SD IP Pending 501 $1,444,000 

● This project is intended to reduce the loss of existing marsh in the project area and enhance the integrity of the delta system. Project strategies 

include dredging a series of channel armor gaps that will be strategically located along the east descending bank of the Mississippi River in the 

vicinity of Fort St. Philip to divert sediment and nutrients to adjacent wetlands.
60

Project Name

Activitiesa

Priority List

Agencyb

Project Typec

Project Statusd

Year

Completed

Anticipated 

Acres

Created/

Restored 

and

Protectede

Current 

Estimated 

Cost

(20-yr)

EngineeringLandrightsConstructionMonitoringOperation & Maintenance

Delta Management at Fort 

St. Philip (BS-11) C C I I NI 10 USFWS SD/

SNT IP Pending 267 $2,055,703

● The objective of the project is to enhance the delta-building process occurring as a result of the crevasse at Fort St. Philip. Six additional artifi cial 

crevasses will be constructed to divert freshwater and sediment into areas currently restricted by spoil banks or natural ridges. In addition, linear 

vegetated terraces will be constructed to enhance sediment retention and reduce wave energy in one of the large receiving bays.

White Ditch Resurrection 

and Outfall Management 

(BS-12)

I I NI NI NI 14 NRCS OM IP Pending 189 $1,595,677 

● The goal of this project is to reduce the erosion rate by introducing fresh water, nutrients, and limited sediment into the marsh. This will be accomplished through the rehabilitation or replacement of the existing siphon at White Ditch and the construction of an additional siphon of similar 

size. The project’s proposed features also include installing a water control structure in the White Ditch outfall channel at the junction with River 

Aux Chenes in order to force water into the interior marsh.

Bayou Lamoque

Freshwater Diversion 

(BS-13)

NI NI NI NI NI 15 EPA FR IP Pending 620 $1,205,354 

● The goal of this project is to repair the Bayou Lamoque freshwater diversion structures through the removal of the gates and their mechanical operating systems to allow free-fl owing diversion at the maximum capacity of both structures. In addition, gap construction in the natural levee ridges 

or spoil banks on Bayou Lamoque at strategic locations will facilitate distribution of diverted water and to promote the accretion of new wetlands 

through the deposition of diverted river sediments. 

West Bay Sediment

Diversion (MR-03) C C C I I 1 USACE SD C 2003 9,831 $22,792,876 

● The objective of the project is to restore vegetated wetlands in the West Bay area that is currently shallow open water. A diversion channel will 

be constructed in two phases: (1) initial construction of an interim channel to accommodate a discharge of 20,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) at the 

50% duration stages in the Mississippi River and marsh development areas and (2) modifi cation of the interim diversion channel design to accommodate a full-scale diversion of 50,000 cubic feet per second at the 50% duration stage. Phase 1 was completed in 2003 and material from the 

initial conveyance channel was used to create the marsh.

Channel Armor Gap

Crevasse (MR-06) C C C I N/A 3 USACE SD C 1997 936 $888,985 

● This project is intended to restore vegetated wetlands by increasing freshwater and sediment from the Mississippi River to the Delta National 

Wildlife Refuge area. The project consisted of deepening the existing 150-foot wide gap in the Mississippi River channel bank armor and using 

125,000 cubic yards of material from the outfall channel to create marsh.

Pass-a-Loutre Crevasse 

(MR-07) NI NI NI NI NI 3 USACE SD D N/A N/A $119,835 

● Marsh creation and restoration was the objective of this project. This was to be accomplished through construction of a crevasse on the left 

descending bank of the Mississippi River between Pass-a-Loutre and Raphael Pass. The project was offi cially deauthorized by the CWPPRA Task 

Force in July of 1998 due to high costs attributed to relocating underground utilities in the area.

Benefi cial Use of Hopper 

Dredge Material (MR-08) 

Demonstration

C N/A NI I N/A 4 USACE DM D N/A N/A $58,310 

● The goal of this project was to construct a crevasse to allow sediment to enter near the mouth of the pass and be deposited in the shallow open 

water area between Pass-a-Loutre and Raphael Pass to create new emergent marsh. Due to design problems, the project was offi cially deauthorized 

by the CWPPRA Task Force in November of 2000. 

Delta Wide Crevasses

(MR-09) C C C I I 6 NMFS SD C 1999 2,386 $4,752,653 

● The objective of this project is to promote the formation of emergent freshwater and intermediate marsh in shallow, open water areas of the Passa-Loutre Wildlife Management Area and the Delta National Wildlife Refuge by either cleaning existing splays or creating new ones.
61

Project Name

Activitiesa

Priority List

Agencyb

Project Typec

Project Statusd

Year

Completed

Anticipated 

Acres

Created/

Restored 

and

Protectede

Current 

Estimated 

Cost

(20-yr)

EngineeringLandrightsConstructionMonitoringOperation & Maintenance

Dustpan Maintenance 

Dredging Operations for 

Marsh Creation in the 

Mississippi River Delta 

(MR-10) Demonstration

C C C N/A N/A 6 USACE DM C 2002 N/A $1,911,487 

● This project was intended to demonstrate the benefi cial use of dredged material from routine maintenance of the Mississippi River Navigation 

Channel by using a dustpan hydraulic dredge to create and restore adjacent marsh. Approximately 40 acres of deteriorated marsh that had converted 

to shallow open water was restored with approximately 222,000 cubic yards of dredged material

Periodic Introduction of 

Sediment and Nutrients 

at Selected Diversion Sites 

(MR-11) Demonstration

I I NI NI NI 9 USACE SD IP Pending N/A $1,502,817 

● The demonstration project is intended to show the effectiveness of using a hydraulic pipeline dredge to provide increased sediment through a 

diversion structure or siphon. Monitoring of the project will determine not only the characteristics of the sediment input concentrations, but also the 

subsequent effects in the outfall area.

Mississippi River

Sediment Trap (MR-12) I I NI NI NI 12 USACE DM IP Pending 1,190 $1,880,376 

● This project was reauthorized on the 12th PPL to create emergent wetlands through the benefi cial use of material dredged from a sediment trap 

located between miles 5 and 1 above Head of Passes in the Mississippi River. The proposed sediment trap would consist of an area dredged out of 

the riverbed that would force sediment deposition.

Benneys Bay Diversion 

(MR-13) I I NI NI NI 10 USACE SD/

DM IP Pending 5,706 $1,076,328 

● The objective of the project is to create vegetated wetlands in shallow open water areas in Benneys Bay. The project would divert sediment in an 

effort to create, nourish, and maintain fresh to intermediate marsh over the 20-year project life.

Spanish Pass Diversion 

(MR-14) I NI NI NI NI 13 USACE SD IP Pending 433 $1,137,344 

● The goal of this project is to create emergent marsh, to the maximum extent practicable, by diverting Mississippi River water and sediment from 

Grand Pass into open water receiving areas. 

Venice Ponds Marsh 

Creation and Crevasses 

(MR-15)

NI NI NI NI NI 15 EPA

MC/ 

HR / 

SD

IP Pending 511 $1,421,680 

● The goals of this project are to create, maintain, nourish, and replenish existing deteriorating wetlands through dedicated dredging, hydraulic 

restoration, crevasse construction, and crevasse enhancement.

a

Activities: Initiated (I), Completed (C), Not Initiated (NI), or Not Applicable (N/A); Activity status as of 8/1/06.

b

Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Natural Resources Conservation Service 

(NRCS), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)

c

Project Type: Hydrologic Restoration (HR), Marsh Creation (MC), Marsh Management (MM), Shoreline Protection (SP), Vegetative Planting 

(VP), Sediment and Nutrient Trapping (SNT), Freshwater Reintroduction (FR), Outfall Management (OM), Sediment Diversion (SD), Barrier 

Island Restoration (BI), and Benefi cial Use of Dredged Material (DM)

d

Project Status: Completed (C), In Progress (IP), Deauthorized (D)

e

Acres Created/Restored and Protected: The net gain in emergent marsh as a result of project implementation as projected by the Environmental 

Working Group during the Wetland Value Assessment. This fi gure includes acres of emergent marsh to be protected, created, and restored as a 

result of project implementation estimated at the time the project was approved by the CWPPRA Task Force.
62

Project Name

Activitiesa

Priority List

Agencyb

Project Typec

Project Statusd

Year

Completed

Anticipated 

Acres

Created/

Restored 

and

Protectede

Current 

Estimated 

Cost

(20-yr)

EngineeringLandrightsConstructionMonitoringOperation & Maintenance

Atchafalaya Sediment 

Delivery (AT-02) C C C I I 2 NMFS

DM/ 

MC/ 

HR/ 

SD

C 1998 2,232 $2,532,147 

● The objective of this project is to enhance natural delta growth by re-opening Natal Channel and Castille Pass. Natal Channel was re-established 

with a 120-foot wide, 10-foot deep, 8,800-foot long channel and Castille Pass with a 190-foot wide, 10-foot deep, 2,000-foot long channel. Material dredged (700,925 cubic yards) as a result of construction was strategically placed at elevations mimicking natural delta lobes.

Big Island Mining (AT-03) C C C I I 2 NMFS

DM/ 

MC/ 

HR/ 

SD

C 1998 1,560 $7,077,404 

● The project includes creating a new western delta lobe behind Big Island to enhance the accretion of land beyond the west bank of the Atchafalaya River. Construction included dredging of a main stem and fi ve branch channels designed to mimic natural channel bifurcations. Dredged material was strategically placed at elevations mimicking natural delta lobes. Re-opening the channels is allowing continued natural sediment transport 

and marsh growth.

Castille Pass Channel 

Sediment Delivery (AT-04) C C NI NI NI 9 NMFS SD IP Pending 577 $1,846,326 

● The Castille Pass project is intended to re-establish the sedimentation processes that lead to subdelta development in this area of the Atchafalaya 

Delta. This project consists of dredging and extending Castille Pass to promote subdelta development.

Grand Bayou Hydrologic 

Restoration (TE-10) I I NI NI NI 5 USFWS HR IP Pending 199 $8,209,722 

● The objective of the project is to maintain emergent wetlands in this area by providing supplemental freshwater, nutrients, and sediment from the 

Atchafalaya River via the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW). Project features include a water control structure on Bayou Pointe au Chien just 

south of its junction with St. Louis Canal, the relief structure on Grand Bayou, and the pipeline structure on Grand Bayou Canal.

Falgout Canal Planting 

(TE-17) Demonstration C C C I N/A 1 NRCS VP C 1997 N/A $209,284 

● For this demonstration project, smooth cordgrass (Spartina alternifl ora) suited to the salinity and habitat type of the Falgout Canal area was 

planted along the canal and protected by 6 types of wave-stilling devices. This is a subproject of the Vegetation Plantings project.

Timbalier Island Planting 

(TE-18) Demonstration C C C I N/A 1 NRCS VP C 1996 N/A $293,124 

● For this demonstration project, sand fences were installed and vegetation suited to the salinity and habitat type of Timbalier Island was planted in 

several areas on the island to trap sand and buffer wind and wave energy.

Lower Bayou LaCache 

Hydrologic Restoration 

(TE-19) 

I I N/A N/A N/A 1 NMFS HR D N/A N/A $99,625 

● The project would have reduced marsh loss rates and improved fi sh and wildlife habitat quality by restoring natural north-south water exchange 

with estuarine water bodies and by reducing fl ow through the numerous dredged canals in the area. Because of problems with landrights and navigation, the project was offi cially deauthorized by the CWPPRA Force in February of 1996.

Isles Dernieres 

Restoration, East Island 

(TE-20)

C C C I N/A 1 EPA BI C 1999 9 $8,762,416 

● The project objective is to restore the coastal dunes and wetlands of the Isles Dernieres. Approximately 3,925,000 cubic yards of sand were 

dredged from adjacent waters and used to build a retaining dune which was then hydraulically fi lled to create an elevated marsh platform. Sand 

fences and vegetation were also installed to stabilize the sand and minimize wind-driven transport.

Appendix III. CWPPRA Projects Authorized on Priority Lists 1-15 in Region 3
63

Project Name

Activitiesa

Priority List

Agencyb

Project Typec

Project Statusd

Year

Completed

Anticipated 

Acres

Created/

Restored 

and

Protectede

Current 

Estimated 

Cost

(20-yr)

EngineeringLandrightsConstructionMonitoringOperation & Maintenance

Point Au Fer Canal Plugs 

(TE-22) C C C I I 2 NMFS SP/

HR C 1997 375 $2,855,208 

● The project is intended to reduce saltwater intrusion and tidal fl ushing in the Point au Fer marshes, due to unplugged canals and beach overwash, 

without reducing freshwater back fl ooding from the Atchafalaya River. This project involved plugging a number of canals and stabilizing the Mobil 

Canal/Gulf of Mexico breach to prevent marsh loss and saltwater intrusion into the interior of the island. 

West Belle Pass Headland 

Restoration (TE-23) C C C I I 2 USACE DM/

SP C 1998 474 $6,751,444 

● The project goals include reducing the encroachment of the Gulf of Mexico into the marshes on the west side of Bayou Lafourche through the use 

of dedicated dredged materials to create marsh on the west side of Belle Pass. A water control structure was placed in the Evans Canal, and plugs on 

other canals. Rip rap was used to anchor 17,000 linear feet of the western side of Belle Pass and Bayou Lafourche.

Isles Dernieres Restoration,

Trinity Island (TE-24) C C C I N/A 2 EPA BI C 1999 109 $10,774,974 

● The project objectives include the restoration of Trinity Island (dunes and marsh) of the Isles Dernieres chain. Approximately 4,850,000 cubic 

yards of sand were dredged from adjacent waters and used to build a retaining dune which was then hydraulically fi lled to create an elevated marsh 

platform sloping from the dune to +4.0 feet at the bay side of the island. Sand fences and vegetation were also installed to stabilize the sand and 

minimize wind-driven transport.

East Timbalier Island 

Sediment Restoration,

Phase I (TE-25)

C C C C N/A 3 NMFS BI C 2000 1,913 $3,729,587 

● The objective of this project is to strengthen and thus increase the life expectancy of East Timbalier Island. The project called for the mining of 

890,000 cubic yards of sediment and placement of the material in three embayments along the landward shoreline of East Timbalier Island. The 

project also included aerial seeding of the dune platform, installation of sand fencing, and dune vegetation.

Lake Chapeau Sediment 

Input and Hydrologic 

Restoration, Point Au Fer 

Island (TE-26)

C C C I I 3 NMFS HR/

MC C 1999 509 $5,379,987 

● The objectives of the project are to restore the marshes west of Lake Chapeau, to re-establish the hydrologic separation of the Locust Bayou and 

Alligator Bayou watersheds, and to re-establish the natural drainage patterns within the Lake Chapeau area. The project components included the 

re-establishment of a hydrologic separation of the island’s two major watersheds utilizing dredged material from Atchafalaya Bay and the restoration of the island hydrology by plugging oil fi eld access canals and gapping artifi cial spoil banks to restore natural hydrologic pathways.

Whiskey Island

Restoration (TE-27) C C C I N/A 3 EPA BI C 1999 1,239 $7,106,586 

● The project created and restored beaches and back island marshes on Whiskey Island. The initial vegetation planting with smooth cordgrass 

(Spartina alternifl ora) on the bay shore was completed in July 1998 and additional vegetation seeding/planting was carried out in Spring 2000. 

Brady Canal Hydrologic 

Restoration (TE-28) C C C I I 3 NRCS HR C 2000 297 $5,279,558 

● The objective of the project is to maintain the highly-fragmented transitional marshes between the fresh and estuarine zones by enhancing freshwater, sediment, and nutrient delivery into the area. The project promotes freshwater fl ow from Bayou Penchant into a fresh/intermediate marsh 

that encompasses the western-most segment of the Mauvais Bois Ridge. Tidal scouring and rapid water exchange rates were reduced by decreasing 

the cross-sectional areas of natural and man-made outlets and by maintaining the banks along Bayou De Cade, Turtle Bayou, and Superior Canal.

Raccoon Island

Breakwaters (TE-29)

Demonstration

C C C I I 5 NRCS BI C 1997 N/A $1,795,388 

● This demonstration project’s goal is to reduce shoreline erosion and increase land coverage. Eight segmented breakwaters were constructed along 

the eastern end of the island to reduce the rate of shoreline retreat, promote sediment deposition along the beach, and protect seabird habitat. Project effectiveness was determined by monitoring changes in the shoreline, wave energy, and elevations along the beach, and by surveys of the gulf 

fl oor between the shoreline and the breakwaters. 
64

Project Name

Activitiesa

Priority List

Agencyb

Project Typec

Project Statusd

Year

Completed

Anticipated 

Acres

Created/

Restored 

and

Protectede

Current 

Estimated 

Cost

(20-yr)

EngineeringLandrightsConstructionMonitoringOperation & Maintenance

East Timbalier Island 

Sediment Restoration, 

Phase II (TE-30)

C C C I N/A 4 NRCS BI C 2000 215 $7,600,863 

● The project goal is to strengthen and increase the life expectancy of East Timbalier Island by placing dredged material along its landward shoreline. Additional rock has been placed on the existing breakwater in front of the island which will help protect the created area from erosion.

Flotant Marsh Fencing 

(TE-31) Demonstration I I N/A N/A N/A 4 NRCS VP D N/A N/A $106,960 

● The purpose of this demonstration project was to determine the effectiveness of different fencing techniques used to conserve and restore fl oating 

marshes. There was diffi culty in locating an appropriate site for demonstration and in addressing engineering constraints. The restoration techniques that were originally suggested for this project were not feasible. The project was offi cially deauthorized by the CWPPRA Task Force in 

October of 2001.

North Lake Boudreaux 

Basin Freshwater 

Introduction and 

Hydrologic Management 

(TE-32a)

I I NI NI NI 6 USFWS FR IP Pending 603 $10,519,383 

● The project objective is to seasonally introduce freshwater from the Houma Navigation Canal in order to reduce saltwater intrusion and promote 

vegetation diversity within the project area. Project plans include enlargement of a portion of Bayou Pelton, dredging of an outfall channel, installation of a major water control structure, building a bridge for Louisiana Highway 57 over the outfall canal, construction of water management 

structures, and a fl ood protection provision.

Bayou Boeuf Pump 

Station (TE-33) I NI NI N/A N/A 6 EPA HR D N/A N/A $3,452 

● The purpose of this project was to link the wetlands protection/restoration objectives of the Breaux Act with fl ood protection and navigation needs 

generally covered by WRDA. The project components consisted of implementing a long-term water management strategy for the Verret basin, and 

evaluating a long-term river water delivery strategy from Atchafalaya River to Terrebonne wetlands. The project was offi cially deauthorized by the 

CWPPRA Task Force in July of 1998.

Penchant Basin Natural 

Resources Plan,

Increment I (TE-34)

I I NI NI NI 6 NRCS HR IP Pending 1,136 $14,103,051 

● The objective of the project is to combine the long-term realignment of the Penchant basin hydrology with restoration and protection measures 

aimed at maintaining the physical integrity of the area during the transition toward greater riverine infl uence. The major problems in the project 

area include hydrologic alterations, interior marsh erosion, subsidence, saltwater intrusion, herbivory, and hurricane damages.

Marsh Creation East of 

the Atchafalaya River 

- Avoca Island (TE-35)

I NI NI N/A N/A 6 USACE DM D N/A N/A $66,869 

● The project consisted of the benefi cial use of dredged material from the “Crew Boat Chute” and placing it in the Avoca Island area. Although 

the project would have benefi ted 434 acres at a cost of $6,438,400, the cost of the project was estimated to be considerably higher than originally 

planned making it economically unjustifi able. The project was offi cially deauthorized by the CWPPRA Task Force in July of 1998.

Thin Mat Floating Marsh 

Enhancement (TE-36) 

Demonstration

C C C N/A N/A 7 NRCS SNT C 2000 N/A $530,283 

● The purpose of this demonstration project is to evaluate techniques to create and enhance thin fl oating mats of marsh, as well as the effects of 

water movement and sediment on these marshes. The objective of the project is to induce development of thick, continually fl oating mats from a 

thin-mat fl otant and to determine the effects of water movement on the fl oats in areas with and without available sediment. 

New Cut Dune and Marsh 

Restoration (TE-37) C C I NI NI 9 EPA BI IP Pending 102 $13,027,460 

● The original objective of this project was to close the breach between East and Trinity Islands, that was originally created by Hurricane Carmen 

(1974) and subsequently enlarged by Hurricane Juan (1985). The project will create barrier island dunes and marsh habitat, and lengthen the structural integrity of the eastern Isles Dernieres by restoring the littoral drift and adding sediment into the near-shore system. However, New Cut closed 

naturally, but another cut appeared at the eastern end of the island. This cut will be fi lled. 
65

Project Name

Activitiesa

Priority List

Agencyb

Project Typec

Project Statusd

Year

Completed

Anticipated 

Acres

Created/

Restored 

and

Protectede

Current 

Estimated 

Cost

(20-yr)

EngineeringLandrightsConstructionMonitoringOperation & Maintenance

South Lake De Cade 

Freshwater Introduction 

(TE-39)

I C NI NI NI 9 NRCS FR/

HR IP Pending 242 $670,611 

● This project will include the construction of a water control structure in the southern bank of Lake De Cade. This will increase the amount of 

Atchafalaya River water and sediment introduced into the marshes south of the lake. In addition, shoreline protection will be implemented adjacent 

to the proposed structure and a weir in Lapeyrouse Bayou will be removed.

Timbalier Island Dune 

and Marsh Creation

(TE-40)

C C C I N/A 9 EPA BI C 2004 273 $16,657,706 

● Timbalier Island is migrating rapidly to the west/northwest; therefore, the western end of Timbalier Island is undergoing lateral migration by spitbuilding processes at the expense of erosion along the eastern end. The objective of this project is to restore the eastern end of Timbalier Island by 

the direct creation of beach, dunes, and marsh.

Mandalay Bank

Protection (TE-41)

Demonstration

C C C I I 9 USFWS SP C 2003 N/A $1,767,214 

● This demonstration project is intended to develop new techniques for protecting and restoring organic soils that can be easily eroded. Intact banks 

and breakthroughs were treated to determine the cost-effectiveness of demonstrated approaches. The project will evaluate several low-cost solutions for restoring habitat in blowout areas and preventing bank erosion. 

GIWW Bank Restoration 

of Critical Areas in

Terrebonne (TE-43)

C I NI NI NI 10 NRCS SP IP Pending 366 $1,735,983 

● The project objective is to restore critical lengths of deteriorated channel banks and stabilize/armor selected critical lengths of deteriorated channel banks with hard shoreline stabilization materials. 

North Lake Mechant 

Landbridge Restoration 

(TE-44)

C C NI I NI 10 USFWS

SP/ 

MC/ 

VT/ 

HR

IP Pending 604 $29,009,771 

● The project will help to maintain and restore the landbridge (Lake Mechant north shoreline and the Small Bayou La Pointe Ridge) which provides 

a hydrologic barrier between brackish and low-salinity habitats. Project features include marsh creation, the planting of smooth cordgrass on the 

shoreline, the construction of various plugs, and repairing a fi xed-crest weir along Bayou Raccourci.

Terrebonne Bay Shore 

Protection (TE-45)

Demonstration

C C NI NI NI 10 USFWS SP IP Pending N/A $2,503,768 

● This demonstration project is intended to test several applications of concrete mats, A-Jacks®, and techniques for establishing shoreline oyster 

reefs for their ability to prevent shoreline erosion while encouraging oyster reef formation. The project design includes three 230 to 300 foot-long 

replicates of each treatment.

West Lake Boudreaux 

Shoreline Protection and 

Marsh Creation (TE-46)

C I NI NI NI 11 USFWS SP/

MC IP Pending 277 $15,976,954 

● This project is intended to protect the shoreline from erosion due to direct exposure to lake wave energy and to restore interior marsh lost from 

subsidence and saltwater intrusion. This objective will be accomplished through the construction of a rock dike to stop erosion along the western 

shoreline of Lake Boudreaux and the creation of marsh habitat through the deposition of dredged material.
66

Project Name

Activitiesa

Priority List

Agencyb

Project Typec

Project Statusd

Year

Completed

Anticipated 

Acres

Created/

Restored 

and

Protectede

Current 

Estimated 

Cost

(20-yr)

EngineeringLandrightsConstructionMonitoringOperation & Maintenance

Ship Shoal: Whiskey West 

Flank Restoration (TE-47) C C NI NI NI 11 EPA BI IP Pending 195 $3,742,053 

● This project is intended to rebuild dunes and a marsh platform on the west fl ank of Whiskey Island through the deposition of dredged material 

transported from Ship Shoal. This project will provide a barrier to reduce wave and tidal energy, thereby protecting mainland shoreline from continued erosion.

Raccoon Island Shoreline 

Protection/Marsh

Creation (TE-48)

I C I NI NI 11 NRCS SP/

MC IP Pending 183 $7,867,083 

● The goal of this project is to protect the Raccoon Island rookery and seabird colonies from an encroaching shoreline by reducing the rate of erosion along the western end of the island and creating more land along the northern shoreline. This goal will be accomplished through the construction of eight additional segmented breakwaters and a terminal groin along the gulf side of the island, adjacent to the Raccoon Island Breakwaters 

Demonstration (TE-29) project. In addition, dredged material will be used to create marsh on the bay side of the island. 

Avoca Island Diversion 

and Land Building

(TE-49)

I I NI NI NI 12 USACE SD IP Pending 277 $2,229,876 

● The project objective is to divert freshwater, sediment, and nutrients into the open water areas in central Avoca Island to create and protect emergent wetlands. The project design team is considering the addition of a marsh creation component utilizing dredged material to increase project 

wetland benefi ts.

Whiskey Island Back 

Barrier Marsh Creation 

(TE-50)

I I NI NI NI 13 EPA BI IP Pending 272 $2,751,494 

● The goal of this project is to enhance the structural function of Whiskey Island as a protective barrier for back bay and inland areas. Dredged 

material will be deposited on the island’s back barrier area to widen the marsh platform on the central and eastern portions of Whiskey Island.

Vermilion River Cutoff 

Bank Protection (TV-03) C C C I I 1 USACE SP C 1996 65 $2,022,987 

● The east bank of the Vermilion River Cutoff was stabilized by armoring the shoreline with a 6,520-foot rock breakwater to maintain the shoreline 

position and protect the integrity of several thousand acres of the Onion Lake wetland complex.

Cote Blanche Hydrologic 

Restoration (TV-04) C C C I I 3 NRCS HR C 1999 2,223 $7,889,103 

● The primary objectives of the project are to reduce shoreline loss from wave erosion, reduce excessive tidal fl uctuations and rapid tidal exchange 

to prevent scouring of interior marsh, to develop a hydrologic regime conducive to sediment and nutrient deposition, and to re-establish vegetation 

in eroded areas. These objectives have been accomplished through the use of both structural and non-structural features.

Boston Canal/Vermilion 

Bay Bank Protection

(TV-09)

C C C I I 2 NRCS SP C 1995 378 $1,012,649 

● The objective of this project is to conserve vegetated wetlands by reducing erosion through the dissipation of wave energy. The project will 

stabilize 15 miles of Vermilion Bay shoreline and prevent further regression of the Boston Canal banks. A rock bulkhead was installed parallel to 

the banks of Boston Canal on both sides of the channel from the existing shoreline at the mouth of the channel and extends into the bay. Sediment 

fences were installed behind the bulkhead to encourage sedimentation and land accretion. 
67

Project Name

Activitiesa

Priority List

Agencyb

Project Typec

Project Statusd

Year

Completed

Anticipated 

Acres

Created/

Restored 

and

Protectede

Current 

Estimated 

Cost

(20-yr)

EngineeringLandrightsConstructionMonitoringOperation & Maintenance

Freshwater Bayou Bank 

Stabilization- Belle Isle 

Canal to Lock (TV-11b)

C C NI NI NI 9 USACE SP IP Pending 241 $1,498,967 

● The goal of this project is to stop erosion along the bank of Freshwater Bayou Canal, and to protect the interior wetlands from increased tidal exchange and wake-induced erosion. This objective will be achieved by constructing a rock dike along the eastern bank of Freshwater Bayou Canal, 

between Belle Isle Canal and Freshwater Bayou Lock.

Little Vermilion

Bay Sediment 

Trapping (TV-12)

C C C I I 5 NMFS SNT C 1999 441 $886,030 

● This project is designed to optimize the retention of sediment from the Atchafalaya River to create new marsh areas in Little Vermilion Bay. Terraces were created to trap sediment and protect the existing shoreline from wind-induced wave erosion.

Oaks/Avery Canal 

Hydrologic Restoration,

Increment I (TV-13a)

C C C I I 6 NRCS HR/

SP C 2002 160 $2,925,216 

● This project is designed to protect the Vermilion Bay shoreline and the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW) banklines, and to stabilize water 

level fl uctuation north of the GIWW and east of Oaks Canal. Vegetation was planted and rock dikes were constructed. An additional state-funded 

project (TV-13), located adjacent to this project, will incorporate the use of low-sill structures placed at the outfall of Avery Canal to redirect additional water fl ow through one particular section of Bayou Petite Anse.

Marsh Island Hydrologic 

Restoration (TV-14) C C C I I 6 USACE HR/

SP C 2001 408 $5,143,288 

● The objective of the project is to stabilize the northeastern shoreline of Marsh Island, including the northern shoreline of Lake Sand, and to help 

to restore historical hydrology. The project included construction of nine plugs in oil and gas canals at the northeast end of Marsh Island, protection 

of the northeast shoreline with rock, and isolation of Lake Sand from Vermilion Bay with a rock dike. 

Sediment Trapping at 

“The Jaws” (TV-15) C C C I I 6 NMFS SNT C 2004 1,999 $3,392,135 

● The objective of the project is to induce sedimentation to create emergent vegetated wetlands. This was achieved by constructing wetland terraces, thereby reducing wave fetch. Distributary channels were dredged to deliver water and sediment to the project area.

Cheniere Au Tigre

Sediment Trapping

(TV-16) Demonstration

C C C I N/A 6 NRCS SNT/

SP C 2001 N/A $624,999 

● This demonstration project is intended to test the effectiveness of rock breakwaters that are designed to trap and retain sediment from gulf tides, 

stabilize the existing shoreline from on-going erosion on Cheniere Au Tigre, and build up portions of the coastline that have already eroded. Increased sediment accretion on the Gulf of Mexico side of the chenier is expected to act as a buffer between the higher salinity gulf water and the 

brackish marsh, which lies immediately behind the chenier.

Lake Portage Land Bridge 

(TV-17) CCC I I 8 NRCS/

EPA SP C 2004 24 $1,181,129

● The objective of this project is to prevent the shoreline south of Lake Portage from breaching and creating another pass from Vermilion Bay to the 

Gulf. The project consisted of backfi lling a canal and armoring the beach with rock.
68

Project Name

Activitiesa

Priority List

Agencyb

Project Typec

Project Statusd

Year

Completed

Anticipated 

Acres

Created/

Restored 

and

Protectede

Current 

Estimated 

Cost

(20-yr)

EngineeringLandrightsConstructionMonitoringOperation & Maintenance

Four Mile Canal 

Terracing and Sediment

Trapping (TV-18)

C C C I I 9 NMFS SNT C 2004 167 $2,325,230

● This project included construction and planting of terraces with smooth cordgrass (Spartina alternifl ora) within Little White Lake and Little 

Vermilion Bay, along Four Mile Canal, to abate wave-induced shoreline erosion and facilitate sedimentation in the open water areas between the 

terraces.

Weeks Bay Marsh

Creation and Shore 

Protection/ Commercial 

Canal Freshwater

Redirection (TV-19)

I I NI NI NI 9 USACE

SP/ 

HR/ 

DM

IP Pending 278 $1,229,337

● The objective of this project is to stop shoreline and bank erosion. This objective will be achieved by the construction of a retention levee and 

channel plugs, dedicated placement of dredged material, re-vegetating critical areas, and armoring shore/bank areas with sheetpile revetment. In 

addition, a low-sill weir will be placed across Commercial Canal to reduce tidal energy and redirect Atchafalaya River water.

Bayou Sale Shoreline

Protection (TV-20) I I NI NI NI 13 NRCS SP IP Pending 329 $2,254,912

● The project goal is to reduce and/or reverse shoreline erosion and create marsh between the breakwater and the existing shoreline. A foreshore 

rock dike will be constructed parallel to the existing eastern shoreline of East Cote Blanche Bay.

East Marsh Island Marsh 

Creation (TV-21) I I NI NI NI 14 EPA/

NRCS MC IP Pending 189 $1,193,606

● The goal of the project is to re-create brackish marsh habitat in the open water areas of the interior marsh primarily caused by hurricane damage. 

The project will also create marsh behind the two easternmost existing rock dikes.

a

Activities: Initiated (I), Completed (C), Not Initiated (NI), or Not Applicable (N/A); Activity status as of 8/1/06.

b

Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Natural Resources Conservation Service 

(NRCS), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)

c

Project Type: Hydrologic Restoration (HR), Marsh Creation (MC), Marsh Management (MM), Shoreline Protection (SP), Vegetative Planting 

(VP), Sediment and Nutrient Trapping (SNT), Freshwater Reintroduction (FR), Outfall Management (OM), Sediment Diversion (SD), Barrier 

Island Restoration (BI), and Benefi cial Use of Dredged Material (DM)

d

Project Status: Completed (C), In Progress (IP), Deauthorized (D)

e

Acres Created/Restored and Protected: The net gain in emergent marsh as a result of project implementation as projected by the Environmental 

Working Group during the Wetland Value Assessment. This fi gure includes acres of emergent marsh to be protected, created, and restored as a 

result of project implementation estimated at the time the project was approved by the CWPPRA Task Force.
69

Appendix IV. CWPPRA Projects Authorized on Priority Lists 1-15 in Region 4

Project Name

Activitiesa

Priority List

Agencyb

Project Typec

Project Statusd

Year

Completed

Anticipated 

Acres

Created/

Restored 

and

Protectede

Current 

Estimated 

Cost

(20-yr)

EngineeringLandrightsConstructionMonitoringOperation & Maintenance

Cameron-Creole

Maintenance (CS-04a) NI I C N/A I 3 NRCS HR C 1997 2,602 $3,736,718

● The project area falls within the Cameron-Creole watershed management area, which has been adversely impacted by saltwater intrusion and loss 

of sediment due to channelization and water diversion of the Calcasieu River. The project provides needed maintenance for the existing 19 miles of 

levee and fi ve major structures which make up the Cameron-Creole Watershed Project.

Brown Lake Hydrologic 

Restoration (CS-09) C C C I NI 2 NRCS HR/

DM IP Pending 282 $3,201,890

● The project is intended to restore, to the extent possible, the natural hydrology of the area. A reduction in marsh loss and improved water conditions are expected to occur following project implementation. The project includes rebuilding the Alkali Ditch levee, utilizing dredged material 

from the Calcasieu River when available, as well as rebuilding water control structures and canal plugs. 

Sweet Lake/Willow Lake 

Hydrologic Restoration 

(CS-11b)

C C C I I 5 NRCS

SP/ 

VP/ 

SNT

C 2001 247 $4,242,995

● The project objectives are to re-establish the shoreline (hydrologic boundary) between Sweet Lake and the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW), 

to reduce lake turbidity and tidal exchange, and to halt erosion and trap sediment needed to rebuild marsh along the northern and northwestern 

shorelines of Sweet Lake. This project includes construction of rock embankments on the GIWW to close off the lakes, vegetation plantings to 

reduce erosion, and construction of earthen terraces combined with vegetation plantings in open water areas to promote revegetation.

Cameron Creole Plugs 

(CS-17) C C C I I 1 USFWS HR C 1996 865 $991,295

● The project goal is to restore historic water circulation patterns within the Cameron-Creole Watershed. This objective will be accomplished by 

slowing the rapid movement of saline waters that enter the watershed from Calcasieu Lake. The project consisted of the installation of two sheetpile plugs in the lakeshore borrow canal.

Sabine National Wildlife 

Refuge Erosion Protection 

(CS-18)

C C C I I 1 USFWS SP C 1995 5,542 $1,602,656

● The goal of this project is to protect leveed fresh marsh from deterioration associated with the anticipated failure of the existing west levee. The 

original design was to reconstruct 5.5 miles of eroded levee. The project was redesigned to include 1,000 feet of levee reconstruction and 5.5 miles 

of rock armor. Vegetation plantings were used to reduce erosion from boat traffi c.

West Hackberry

Vegetative Planting

(CS-19) Demonstration

C C C I N/A 1 NRCS VP C 1994 N/A $258,804

● The goal of this demonstration project is to reduce marsh erosion from interior open water wave energy using vegetation plantings consisting of 

smooth cordgrass (Spartina alternifl ora). In addition, wave-stilling hay bale fences were utilized to protect the vegetation plantings.

East Mud Lake Marsh 

Management (CS-20) C C C I I 2 NRCS MM C 1996 1,520 $4,095,936

● The project is intended to create a hydrologic regime conducive to restoration, protection, and enhancement of the Mud Lake area by using various types of water control structures and vegetation plantings. Structural components include culverts with fl apgates, two variable crest weirs, three 

earthen plugs, and repair of an existing levee.

Highway 384 Hydrologic 

Restoration (CS-21) C C C I I 2 NRCS MM C 2000 150 $1,058,554

● The purpose of this project is to restore the natural hydrology of the project area and eliminate high salinities and severe water fl uctuations to 

reduce marsh loss. The project features included the installation of fl apgated culverts and a shell plug installed along the Calcasieu Lake shoreline to 

repair a breach.
70

Project Name

Activitiesa

Priority List

Agencyb

Project Typec

Project Statusd

Year

Completed

Anticipated 

Acres

Created/

Restored 

and

Protectede

Current 

Estimated 

Cost

(20-yr)

EngineeringLandrightsConstructionMonitoringOperation & Maintenance

Clear Marais Bank 

Protection (CS-22) C C C I I 2 USACE SP C 1997 1,067 $3,696,088

● The goal of this project is to stabilize six miles of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW) channel bank with a rock armored breakwater. A 

35,000 foot limestone breakwater was constructed to prevent continued erosion of the levee and to prevent encroachment of the GIWW into the 

project area. Vegetation plantings were used to enhance the bank protection and promote sediment trapping.

Replace Sabine Refuge 

Water Control Structures 

at Headquarters Canal, 

West Cove Canal, and 

Hog Island Gully (CS-23)

C C C I I 3 USFWS MM C 2000 953 $4,528,418

● This project was authorized to replace the water control structures on three major avenues of water passage that allow water to fl ow from saline 

areas into the project area’s interior marshes. The new structures on Hog Island Gully, West Cove Canal, and Headquarters Canal will be operated 

to effectively discharge excess water, increase cross sectional area for movement of estuarine species, and help to curtail saltwater intrusion into the 

interior marshes.

Perry Ridge Shore

Protection (CS-24) C C C I I 4 NRCS SP C 1999 1,203 $2,289,090

● The project is intended to reduce tidal scour, wave action from boats, and other excessive energy impacts on interior marshes, and reduce the 

possibility of saltwater intrusion by repairing the northern spoil bank of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW). A rip-rap breakwater was placed 

along low areas of the northern bank of the GIWW from Perry Ridge to Vinton Drainage Canal.

Plowed Terraces (CS-25) 

Demonstration C C C I N/A 4 NRCS SNT C 2000 N/A $325,641

● This demonstration project developed and demonstrated a non-traditional procedure for constructing earthen terraces in shallow open water areas. 

Thirty-eight earthen terraces served as wave-stilling, sediment-trapping structures and provide a base for the establishment of emergent vegetation.

Compost (CS-26)

Demonstration C C NI I N/A 4 EPA MC D N/A N/A $213,645

● This project was authorized to evaluate the effectiveness of using tree trimmings as compostable material, using compost amended material in 

providing a growth medium for emergent vegetation, and determining settlement rates of the compost amended materials and tree trimmings. The 

project was offi cially deauthorized by the CWPPRA Task Force in January 2002. 

Black Bayou Hydrologic 

Restoration (CS-27) C C C I I 6 NMFS HR C 2001 3,594 $5,972,613

● The project goals are to reduce wetland loss resulting from hydrologic changes including reduced freshwater infl ow, increased magnitude and 

duration of tidal fl uctuations, increased salinities, higher water levels, and excessive water exchange. This project included the construction of spoil 

banks, weirs, plugs, and culverts designed to allow freshwater from the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW) into the wetlands, and to create a 

hydrologic head that increases freshwater retention time and reduces saltwater intrusion.

Sabine Refuge Marsh

Creation Increments 1-5 

(CS-28)

CCC I I 8 USFWS/

USACE DM C Pending 916 $17,413,846

● The project is intended to strategically create marsh in large, open water areas to block the wind-induced introduction of saltwater. Additionally, 

it will increase nourishment in adjacent marshes while reducing open water fetch and erosion of marsh fringe. The project consists of 5 marsh 

creation sites (5 cycles) within the Sabine National Wildlife Refuge using material dredged from the Calcasieu River Ship Channel.
71

Project Name

Activitiesa

Priority List

Agencyb

Project Typec

Project Statusd

Year

Completed

Anticipated 

Acres

Created/

Restored 

and

Protectede

Current 

Estimated 

Cost

(20-yr)

EngineeringLandrightsConstructionMonitoringOperation & Maintenance

Black Bayou Culverts 

Hydrologic Restoration 

(CS-29)

C C I NI NI 9 NRCS HR IP Pending 540 $5,387,703

● The project objective is to discharge and remove excess water, which has contributed to marsh loss and shoreline erosion. This project consists of 

installing box culverts with sluice gates in Black Bayou and relocating Louisiana Hwy 384 over the culverts. Operation of the structure will be in 

coordination with Calcasieu Lock and the Schooner Bayou and Catfi sh Point water control structures.

GIWW - Perry Ridge 

West Bank Stabilization 

(CS-30)

C C C I I 9 NRCS SP C 2001 83 $1,746,831

● This project was authorized to install rip-rap along the northern bank of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW) in an area which was dredged to 

a depth of 30 feet to allow for the use of double barge traffi c. The project consisted of installing rock along the bank to prevent further erosion.

Holly Beach Sand 

Managemen

 (CS-31)

C C C I I 11 NRCS SP C 2002 330 $14,130,233

● The purpose of the project is to protect existing coastal wetlands by restoring and maintaining the integrity and functionality of the remaining chenier/beach ridge. This objective was accomplished through beach renourishment, installation of sand fencing, vegetation plantings, and monitoring 

of the shoreline response. This project was originally authorized on the 9th PPL as a complex project, Holly Beach Project, CS-01. An additional 

$4,728,125 was contributed by the Coastal Impact Assistance Program (CIAP) for the construction of this project. 

East Sabine Lake

Hydrologic Restoration 

(CS-32)

C C I NI NI 10 NRCS/

USFWS HR IP Pending 393 $5,496,580

● This project utilizes water control structures, shoreline protection, terraces, and vegetation plantings to restore the historical hydrologic regime to 

approximately 36,623 acres of the Sabine National Wildlife Refuge. Specifi c goals include reducing elevated salinities within fresh and intermediate marshes, reducing tidal scour, reducing erosion on the eastern shore of Sabine Lake, reducing the turbidity of open water areas, and restoring 

and protecting marsh.

Freshwater Bayou

Wetland Protection

(ME-04)

C C C I I 2 NRCS HR/

SP C 1998 1,593 $3,455,303

● This project was constructed in two phases. Phase I was completed in 1995 and consisted of a 10,000 linear-foot rock dike to protect the west 

bank of Freshwater Bayou Canal from shoreline erosion. Phase II of the project was completed in 1998 and included the construction of several 

water control structures to mediate the effects of increased salinity and higher water level fl uctuations on vegetation cover.

Dewitt-Rollover Vegetative 

Plantings (ME-08) 

Demonstration

CCCC I 1 NRCS VP D N/A N/A $92,012

● This demonstration project’s purpose was to investigate the ability of vegetation plantings of smooth cordgrass (Spartina alternifl ora) to colonize 

a newly accreted mudfl at, thereby establishing a vegetation buffer between the Gulf of Mexico and coastal wetlands. This project was offi cially 

deauthorized by the Breaux Act Task Force in February 1996 because no plants remained. 

Cameron Prairie National 

Wildlife Refuge Shoreline 

Protection (ME-09)

C C C I I 1 USFWS SP C 1994 247 $1,227,123

● The project goals are to protect the emergent wetlands of the Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge adjacent to the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW). Project features included construction of approximately 2.5 miles of rock dike parallel to the existing spoil bank, thereby terminating the encroachment of the GIWW into the refuge.
72

Project Name

Activitiesa

Priority List

Agencyb

Project Typec

Project Statusd

Year

Completed

Anticipated 

Acres

Created/

Restored 

and

Protectede

Current 

Estimated 

Cost

(20-yr)

EngineeringLandrightsConstructionMonitoringOperation & Maintenance

Humble Canal Hydrologic 

Restoration (ME-11) C C C I I 8 NRCS HR C 2003 378 $1,530,812

● The objective of this project is to restore historical hydrology to the project area by constructing a water control structure consisting of fi ve 48-

inch diameter by 50-foot long corrugated aluminum pipes with fl ap gates and weir drop inlets along with one 18-inch diameter corrugated aluminum pipe with screw gate. This structure will protect the area from Mermentau River saltwater intrusion and allow high water to drain from the 

marsh to the river.

Southwest Shore White 

Lake Protection (ME-12) 

Demonstration

CCCC I 3 NRCS SP D N/A N/A $103,468

● The objective of this demonstration project was to stabilize one mile of the White Lake shoreline and prevent breaching into Deep Lake. The 

project was initiated to determine if California bulrush (Schoenoplectus californicus) is effective at damping high energy wave action. The project 

was offi cially deauthorized by the CWPPRA Task Force in October of 1998.

Freshwater Bayou Bank 

Stabilization (ME-13) C C C I I 5 NRCS SP C 1998 511 $2,543,313

● The objective of this project is to protect the integrity of the Mermentau River basin by preventing interior ditches from connecting Freshwater 

Bayou Canal to the Old Intracoastal Canal. A 23,193 linear-foot rock dike was constructed approximately 100 feet from the existing shoreline to 

prevent Freshwater Bayou Canal from eroding into the intermediate marshes. 

Pecan Island Terracing 

(ME-14) C C C I I 7 NMFS SNT C 2003 442 $2,391,953

● The goal of this project is to convert areas of open water back to vegetated marsh. Project features included the construction of earthen terraces to 

reduce wave action. 

Freshwater Introduction 

South of Highway 82 

(ME-16)

C C I I NI 9 USFWS FR/ 

HR IP Pending 296 $5,083,528

● This project was authorized to address saltwater intrusion and lack of freshwater and sediment input in the project area. Project components 

include the installation of approximately eight water control structures, breaching spoilbanks in areas near Louisiana Hwy 82 to allow water to fl ow 

across the chenier, and the removal of plugs to facilitate water fl ow from the lakes subbasin south into the chenier subbasin.

Little Pecan Bayou 

Hydrologic Restoration 

(ME-17)

I I NI NI NI 9 NRCS HR/ 

FR IP Pending 144 $1,556,598

● The project objectives include providing a means to remove excess water from the lakes subbasin by installing a water control structure within 

Little Pecan Bayou, constructing a freshwater conveyance channel with two water control structures through Grand Chenier Ridge to assist in 

excess water removal, and excavation of a collector channel within the marsh.

Rockefeller Refuge Gulf 

Shoreline Stabilization 

(ME-18)

C C NI NI NI 10 NMFS SP IP Pending 920 $2,408,478

● The project will address Rockefeller Refuge Gulf shoreline retreat, which averages approximately 39 feet per year with subsequent direct loss of 

saline marsh. The project would entail construction of a nearshore breakwater along the Gulf of Mexico shoreline, extending approximately from 

Beach Prong to Joseph Harbor.
73

Project Name

Activitiesa

Priority List

Agencyb

Project Typec

Project Statusd

Year

Completed

Anticipated 

Acres

Created/

Restored 

and

Protectede

Current 

Estimated 

Cost

(20-yr)

EngineeringLandrightsConstructionMonitoringOperation & Maintenance

Grand-White Lakes 

Landbridge Protection 

(ME-19)

C C C I I 10 USFWS SP/ 

SNT C 2004 213 $5,804,926

● This project is intended to protect freshwater wetlands by stopping the erosion of the southeastern shoreline of Grand Lake and the western 

shoreline of Collicon Lake. Project features include construction of hard structure shoreline stabilization and planted earthen terraces to protect the 

landbridge.

South Grand Chenier 

Hydrologic Restoration 

(ME-20)

I I NI NI NI 11 USFWS HR/ 

MC IP Pending 440 $2,358,420

● This project is intended to restore the Hog Bayou watershed hydrology through the use of dredged material to create two 200-acre cells that will 

stop saltwater intrusion into the project area. Freshwater, sediment, and nutrients from the Mermentau River will also be introduced into the project 

area at two separate locations.

Grand Lake Shoreline 

Protection (ME-21) C C NI NI NI 11 USACE SP IP Pending 540 $1,049,029

● The objective of this project is to reduce erosion along the southern shoreline of Grand Lake, which is caused by high wave energy associated 

with storm winds and frontal passages. Project features will include construction of a rock breakwater from Superior Canal to Tebo Point.

South White Lake 

Shoreline Protection 

(ME-22)

C C C I NI 12 USACE SP IP 2006 844 $15,712,059

● This project is intended to reduce erosion along the southern White Lake shoreline through the construction of a foreshore rock dike. Marsh 

accretion and submerged aquatic vegetation habitat creation is expected to occur behind the structure due to the occasional wave overwash and the 

reduction of turbidity in the interior open water areas.

South Pecan Island 

Freshwater Introduction 

(ME-23)

NI NI NI NI NI 15 NMFS FR IP Pending 98 $1,102,043

● The goals of this project are to provide fresh water fl ow and sediment from White Lake into the marsh south of Highway 82. The project will be 

constructed to allow excess fresh water to drain, while preventing saltwater intrusion.

a

Activities: Initiated (I), Completed (C), Not Initiated (NI), or Not Applicable (N/A); Activity status as of 8/1/06.

b

Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Natural Resources Conservation Service 

(NRCS), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)

c

Project Type: Hydrologic Restoration (HR), Marsh Creation (MC), Marsh Management (MM), Shoreline Protection (SP), Vegetative Planting 

(VP), Sediment and Nutrient Trapping (SNT), Freshwater Reintroduction (FR), Outfall Management (OM), Sediment Diversion (SD), Barrier 

Island Restoration (BI), and Benefi cial Use of Dredged Material (DM)

d

Project Status: Completed (C), In Progress (IP), Deauthorized (D)

e

Acres Created/Restored and Protected: The net gain in emergent marsh as a result of project implementation as projected by the Environmental 

Working Group during the Wetland Value Assessment. This fi gure includes acres of emergent marsh to be protected, created, and restored as a 

result of project implementation estimated at the time the project was approved by the CWPPRA Task Force.


Coastal Wetlands 

Planning, Protection 

and Restoration Act 

(CWPPRA)

Providing Effective Coastal 

Restoration Solutions for 

Louisiana Since 1990

CWPPRA website: http://www.lacoast.gov/cwppra/index.htm