Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards yesterday announced that Louisiana’s Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) has received $2.2 million from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) Board of Directors to be used toward the completion of the East Timbalier Island Project design.
“ This is another significant step to help advance this important project as part of Louisiana’s continuing efforts to restore our coast from damages caused by the BP Oil Spill, ” said Governor Edwards .
“ The new funding will allow for additional data collection and surveys that are needed to finalize design and permitting for the restoration of this barrier island project.”
This latest award is in addition to NFWF’s previous $5.6 million award for this project and was approved following extensive consultation with CPRA, FWS and NOAA. NFWF’s total funding toward Engineering and Design phase of the East Timbalier Project is $7.8 million.
The East Timbalier Island is located in Terrebonne Parish about 60 miles southwest of New Orleans and 4.5 miles southwest of Port Fourchon in Lafourche Parish, between Timbalier Isand and Bayou Lafourche.
Restoration projects in Louisiana
To date, NFWF has awarded more than $467 million to 12 projects in the state of Louisiana.
Projects were selected for funding following consultation with the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA), the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and reflect the fundamental components of Louisiana’s comprehensive Coastal Master Plan.
Additionally, projects focus on actions to restore barrier islands and implement river diversions, in accordance with the terms of the plea agreements.
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