Summary
FUNDING WAS APPROVED IN 2023 THROUGH THE COASTAL WETLANDS PLANNING, PROTECTION, AND RESTORATION ACT (CWPPRA) PROGRAM FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE ISLAND ROAD MARSH CREATION AND NOURISHMENT PROJECT. THIS PROJECT WILL RESTORE OVER 290 ACRES OF MARSH IN TERREBONNE PARISH, LOUISIANA, AND REPRESENTS THE INITIAL PIECE OF A POTENTIAL EASTERN TERREBONNE BASIN LANDRIDGE, INCREASING THE RESILIENCY OF THE WETLANDS FOR THE CULTURAL BASES IN THE AREA OF THE ISLE DE JEAN CHARLES COMMUNITY, AS WELL AS THE POINTE AUX CHENES INDIAN TRIBE. ALONG WITH THE LOUISIANA COASTAL PROTECTION AND RESTORATION AUTHORITY, THE LOCAL COST SHARE PARTNER, NOAA IS BUILDING OFF A PRIOR AWARD FOR THE DESIGN FOR THIS PROJECT. COASTAL WETLANDS ARE LOUISIANA'S FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE DURING HURRICANES AND STORMS, PROTECTING COMMUNITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE FROM THE DAMAGING EFFECTS OF WIND, WAVES, AND FLOODING. THEY ALSO PROVIDE HABITAT FOR FISH AND SHELLFISH, WHICH SUPPORT A STATEWIDE SEAFOOD INDUSTRY VALUED AT NEARLY $1 BILLION PER
