Completion of Cameron Meadows Marsh Creation Project in Southwest Louisiana Announced by CPRA
Completion of Cameron Meadows Marsh Creation Project in Southwest Louisiana Announced by CPRA
Louisiana – The Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) announced the completion of the Cameron Meadows Marsh Creation and Terracing Project in Cameron Parish, northwest of Holly Beach, on April 19, 2022.
Nearly 2 million cubic yards of sediment were dredged from the Gulf of Mexico and pumped 5 miles inland to construct more than 300 acres of marsh and 2.3 miles of terraces to increase sediment deposition and mitigate the effects of wave erosion and saltwater intrusion.
“We are thrilled to deliver another large-scale restoration project to Southwest Louisiana,” said CPRA Chairman Chip Kline. “For years, this region has felt the impact of major hurricanes, storms, and land loss at increasing rates. We know that with every acre of coastal land and marsh we restore, we strengthen the natural buffer between these forces and the people that call Southwest Louisiana home.”
This project addressed a large area of marsh that had degraded into open water as a result of subsidence, saltwater surge from Hurricane Rita and other storms, excessive drought, and salt water retention due to silted-in canals that prevented adequate drainage.
The Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection, and Restoration Act (CWPPRA) funds the $32 million project, which is a collaborative effort between CPRA and the federal sponsor, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Great Lakes Dredge and Dock was in charge of the construction.
The completion of the large-scale marsh creation project was celebrated by local leaders.
“What CPRA is doing in Cameron Parish and along Louisiana’s coast will be life changing for the region,” said State Sen. Mark Abraham. “Creating more marsh is so important because it strengthens our natural buffer.”
“With the completion of this project, Cameron Parish gained hundreds of acres of vital marshland.” said State Rep. Ryan Bourriaque. “We are grateful for CPRA’s dedication to protection and restoration efforts across Southwest Louisiana.”
The Calcasieu Parish Police Jury’s Coastal Zone Manager, Laurie Cormier, praised the use of marsh restoration to strengthen hurricane protection.
“The Cameron Meadows Marsh Creation Project is a great project that will bring nearly 2 million cubic yards of sediment to help protect the Chenier Plain,” said Cormier. “This is part of our strategic plan for multiple lines of defense for the Chenier Plain which will protect Calcasieu and Cameron parishes for years to come. It has been a great partnership between the federal government, the State and the Parish.”
The project’s benefits to coastal habitat were highlighted by Carrie Selberg, director of the NOAA Fisheries Office of Habitat Conservation.
“NOAA works through CWPPRA to restore coastal habitats and the benefits they provide to Louisiana communities, including critical protection from hurricanes and storms,” said Selberg. “We are excited to see this project successfully completed, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with CPRA to restore these important habitats.”
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