Louisiana Launches Coastal Restoration Project for West Belle Headland

News Summary

Louisiana is initiating a vital coastal restoration project for the West Belle Headland, devastated by Hurricane Zeta in 2020. The Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority has secured an agreement to use 4 million cubic yards of sand for repairs, underscoring the project’s significance. Community engagement efforts, including the ‘Southwest Louisiana Coastal Restoration Roadshow,’ aim to educate residents on coastal issues and gather input. Despite recent setbacks leading to the cancellation of the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Project, advocacy for coastal restoration remains strong among voters.

Louisiana is set to embark on a significant coastal restoration project aimed at reviving the West Belle Headland, which was severely damaged by Hurricane Zeta in October 2020. The Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) has entered an agreement with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to utilize up to 4 million cubic yards of sand for the repairs. This quantity of sand is nearly equivalent to the interior of New Orleans’ Superdome, highlighting the scale of the restoration effort.

Prior to the hurricane, the West Belle Headland was nearly complete as part of a larger beach and barrier island restoration project in the Terrebonne Basin. However, Hurricane Zeta managed to wash away about 75% of the freshly laid sand and sediment on the peninsula, necessitating immediate action. For this renewal project, pure sand will be dredged from federal waters, diverging from mixed-material sources previously used. This decision is based on the understanding that using cleaner sand better supports the overall restoration of Louisiana’s valuable barrier islands.

CPRA Executive Director Michael Hare has indicated that robust storms such as Hurricane Zeta compel the authority to reassess project designs to maintain an environmentally sustainable approach. Additionally, CPRA is seeking funding assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to aid in getting the project off the ground. FEMA has already allocated roughly $720,000 for both the design and the environmental impact review processes. A decision on further funding from FEMA is anticipated later this year, with intention to put the project out for bidding in the fall.

Public Engagement Initiatives

In conjunction with these restoration efforts, the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana (CRCL) plans to hold a series of events titled the “Southwest Louisiana Coastal Restoration Roadshow”. Scheduled to begin on August 11, these six public gatherings will take place in locations including Lake Charles, Cameron, and Abbeville. The purpose of the roadshow is to educate attendees about coastal issues and encourage community input on existing and future restoration projects.

The roadshow will be funded by CITGO, a corporate sponsor that has previously partnered with CRCL to plant tens of thousands of trees in Louisiana. Each meeting will focus primarily on projects eligible under Louisiana’s Coastal Master Plan and available funding opportunities. The first sessions will occur on specified dates in each location, giving residents a chance to engage with state officials, agencies, and fellow community members to discuss vital coastal restoration activities.

Funding and Project Changes

Despite current efforts, the CPRA confirmed the cancellation of another major restoration initiative, the $3 billion Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Project, which was intended to restore over 20 square miles of coastal land in southeast Louisiana affected by erosion and climate change. This decision came amid controversies regarding the $618 million already spent on the project and potential liability issues concerning fund repayment. Opposition to the project has grown, particularly from the current governor, Jeff Landry, which deviates from the past bipartisan support seen for coastal initiatives.

Advocacy groups remain resolute in their perspective that the Mid-Barataria project is crucial for the restoration of Louisiana’s coastline, claiming that more than 83% of voters back its advancement. However, the CPRA cited litigation and permitting challenges as the primary reasons for the project’s halt, indicating the complexity and contentious nature associated with coastal restoration efforts in Louisiana.

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Additional Resources

• Fox 8 Live: Nearly Superdome Worth of Sand Could Revive Louisiana Coastal Project
• Biz New Orleans: Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana Announces Roadshow
• AP News: Louisiana Coastal Restoration Amid Gulf Oil Spill
• KALB: Louisiana Cancels $3B Coastal Restoration Project
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Louisiana Coastal Restoration