Reducing wetlands loss will help to ensure both the nation's economic prosperity and healthy coastal environments for future generations. Mobil has a long history in the Point au Fer area, and of being in the forefront of protecting the environment. We are pleased to be able to make this commitment to preserving such a valuable habitat. The brackish and intermediate marshes of the island currently provide habitat for numerous terrestrial and marine species of waterfowl, furbearers, and finfish. Phase two focuses on the western end of Point au Fer Island, specifically a canal parallel to the island's shoreline where the Gulf of Mexico is separated by a very narrow strip of land that is frequently overwashed.
Saltwater intrusion can kill marsh vegetation and exacerbate wetlands loss.
In 1992, Hurricane Andrew breached the shoreline and saltwater flowed directly into the canal and exposed the island's wetlands to saltwater. Although this breach was temporarily closed, the shoreline has sustained additional erosion and remains very susceptible to overwash. According to Louisiana Department of Natural Resources Secretary Jack Caldwell, Bertucci Contracting Corp., of Jefferson, La., is performing the work on site using a barge-mounted crane, geotextile material and rock. The shoreline along the canal will be armored by placing limestone rock along a 4,000-foot long stretch of shoreline. This action is expected to slow shoreline erosion so that the canal will not connect to the Gulf of Mexico.