There is great momentum in the restoration world, with several important local restoration projects moving forward in anticipation of some funding resulting from the 2010 oil spill.  Below is a summary of projects in Terrebonne and Lafourche that Restore or Retreat follows and advocates for, and we hope there will be more good news in the future.

Long Distance Sediment Pipeline- Atchafalaya

In 2012, Terrebonne Parish approved the hire of a pair of companies to identify sources of sediment in the Atchafalaya River that could be harvested to rebuild Terrebonne marshes. Engineering firms Moffatt & Nichol and CB&I will identify and prioritize sediment resources in the Atchafalaya and develop a design for the pipeline project. The state matched up to $750,000 in offshore oil revenue for coastal restoration projects to get the project moving. 

A Notice to Proceed was issued on July 25.  A feasibility Study will be ready by end of March 2014 to determine best alignment, viable, renewable sediment sources in Atchafalaya River, and construction and operations and maintenance costs.   Terrebonne Parish will be meeting with CB&I and Moffatt & Nichol in September for more detailed planning. 

Bayou Lafourche

In November 2012, the voters of Lafourche, Assumption, and Ascension approved a 20-year, 2.11 millage renewal for the Bayou Lafourche Freshwater District by an overall 73% approval rating.

Terrebonne's 40-year contract with the Bayou Lafourche water district expires in 2014, so the Terrebonne Parish Council voted to put a new 2.11-mill property tax on the May 4 ballot, which is a requirement for Terrebonne to join the Bayou Lafourche Freshwater District (BLFWD,) which supplies the parish with 80 percent of its drinking water.  The new millage was approved by the voters, so Terrebonne Parish will bring 4 additional members to the BLFWD board.

Additionally, Phase 2 of the Mississippi River Reintroduction into Bayou Lafourche Project was initiated in February 2013, with funding coming from the State's Coastal Impact Assistance Program (CIAP) allocation.  In April 2013, the Bayou Lafourche Fresh Water District (BLFWD) hired T Baker Smith, LLC (TBS) to provide professional services for the implementation of the project, and a recent report concludes the most beneficial location to continue dredging is immediately adjacent to where Phase 1 ended, which is approximately 1 mile north of LA Highway 998 Bridge in Belle Rose, LA.  TBS is beginning the Preliminary Design Phase of this next dredging reach in Belle Rose, and will be ready to bid out for construction in September 2014.

Lafourche Shoreline/Caminada

The $70 million project began in August.  The contractor mobilized equipment to Lower Belle Pass, where sediment is being pumped into the headland from Ship Shoal for the first time ever.  9The sediment arrives on barges after being dredged from Ship Shoal.)  

Restore or Retreat has spoken to the CPRA about co-hosting a media and stakeholder field trip to the construction site for this fall.

Oil Spill Follow-Up