The Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) yesterday announced the completion of another segment of rock breakwaters at Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge in Cameron Parish.
The Rockefeller Shoreline Protection project expanded the area’s rock shoreline by 3,414 linear feet, adding erosion protection to an area that has been retreating at an average of 70 feet per year.
Formed using a lightweight aggregate core material covered with larger rocks, the breakwater structure blocks wave energy from eroding the shoreline and contributing to rapid land loss.
Combined with the just-completed state project and an earlier project funded through the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection, and Restoration Act (CWPPRA), the total rock shoreline protecting the Rockefeller Refuge will stretch 4.5 miles.
The $9.27 million project, a collaboration between CPRA and the Cameron Parish Police Jury, was funded by a combination of state surplus dollars and Cameron Parish Community Development Block grants.
“Implementing an innovative and effective solution to address the rapid land loss at Rockefeller Refuge has been a top priority at CPRA,” said CPRA Chairman Chip Kline . “These breakwaters not only prevent day-to-day impacts to the southwest coast, but they have also proven they can withstand an unprecedented hurricane season. The value of these restoration and protection efforts to our state, our coast, and our people can’t be overstated.”
Also, CPRA continues work on ongoing projects to protect and restore the area, including the Cameron Meadows Marsh Creation and Terracing project, the Cameron-Creole Freshwater Introduction project, and the Rabbit Island Restoration project.