Breaux Act Newsflash - Father of Breaux Act Celebrated Today
***********************************************************************Father of Breaux Act celebrated today with Mississippi River Delta area as
backdrop
Buras, LA-With a life-long career of dedicated public service, there is
perhaps no other more distinguished or honored name in Louisiana
than ---John Breaux.
For 35 working years, he has been a champion for Louisiana, having served
with five governors and seven U.S. presidents. U.S. Senator John Breaux of
Crowley is celebrated today for his complete commitment to protecting and
funding coastal Louisiana at a historic landmark and backdrop on the west
bank of the Mississippi River Delta.
Breaux Act Task Force members, state and local leaders, Department of
Natural Resources (DNR) officials and the public gathered at Fort Jackson in
Plaquemines Parish to dedicate and view six southwest area restoration
projects built by state and federal partners at a combined cost of $34.1
million.
The dedication ceremony highlighted three U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
projects and three NOAA National Marine Fisheries Services projects that
include:
* West Bay Sediment Diversion, Plaquemines Parish
Cost $22.3 million and Completed in November 2003
9,831 acres overall benefit/create marsh over 20-year cycle
DNR and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
* Delta Wise Crevasses, Plaquemines Parish
Cost $4.7 million, first cycle complete with three dredging cycles
2,386 acres overall benefit after 20 years
DNR and National Marine Fisheries Service
* Hopedale Hydrologic Restoration, St. Bernard Parish
Cost $2.4 million and Completed in May 2004
Project area in total is 3,805 acres with 134 acres net benefit over
full-cycle DNR and National Marine Fisheries Service
* Chandeleur Islands Marsh Restoration, St. Bernard/Plaquemines Parishes
Cost $1.4 million and Completed in July 2001
Barrier Island restoration aimed at buffering storm surge, net benefit
of 220 acres DNR and National Marine Fisheries Service
* Channel Armor Gap Crevasse, Plaquemines Parish
Cost $902,720 and Completed in December 1997
Project within the Delta National Wildlife Refuge, 936 acres benefited
DNR and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
* Dustpan Maintenance Dredging Operations for Marsh Creation in the
Mississippi River Delta Demonstration, Plaquemines Parish
Cost $1.6 million and Completed in June 2002
Maintenance of the Mississippi River Navigation Channel with dustpan
hydraulic dredge providing nourishment for marsh creation in the delta
DNR and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
These projects are among 127 coastal restoration projects approved under the
federal Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act (CWPPRA)
enacted in 1990, authored by Senator Breaux and so named, providing
Louisiana approximately $50 million in federal funding each year.
Senator Breaux decided in December of last year not to seek public office
again but said that over half of his life has been spent working on issues
important to Louisiana. He said he was extremely proud to join those
participating in this event and to see several more projects constructed
under his tenure in office.
Phoenix High School student, Lashanta Encalade, participated in the ceremony
and was proud to have had the opportunity to meet the senator. Encalade's
essay on "Why is coastal restoration important to the nation, Louisiana and
me" was selected from essays submitted by seniors from five Plaquemines
Parish high schools.
Speaking on behalf of the Breaux Act members were Timothy Keeney, Deputy
Assistant Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere, NOAA, who traveled from
Washington, D.C. to attend the dedication. Keeney also recognized former
DNR Secretary Jack Caldwell with NOAA's Environmental Hero Award.
Task Force Chairman Colonel Peter Rowan, New Orleans District Commander,
Corps of Engineers and DNR Secretary Scott Angelle also gave remarks
following a community welcome and comments by Plaquemines Parish President
Benny Rouselle and St. Bernard Parish President Henry Rodriguez, Jr.
Task Force members expressed their feelings of tribute to Senator Breaux for
his many significant accomplishments, particularly as bearer of the "torch"
for saving coastal Louisiana. They presented him with a special memorial
pictorial proclaiming the senator "Champion for Coastal Louisiana" and
recognizing his 32 years of service to Louisiana.
A number of special sponsors that provided assistance for the event were
acknowledged including Plaquemines Parish Government, St. Bernard Parish
Government, Louisiana Governor's Office of Coastal Activities, Louisiana
Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board, Louisiana Oyster Task Force,
ConocoPhillips Alliance Refinery, Ducks Unlimited, Arabi Lions Club, Los
Islenos Heritage and Cultural Society, and Event Rental.
Fort Jackson is located 4 miles south of Buras, LA. some 65 miles south east
of New Orleans. It once served as an important defense post for New Orleans
in the 1800's. Fort Jackson was later used as both a prison and a military
training base. In 1960, it was declared a national historical monument by
the U.S. Department of Interior. The beautiful grounds are home to the
Plaquemines Parish Fair and Orange Festival each year in December.
During the 20th century, coastal Louisiana lost 1.2 million acres (1,900 sq.
mi.) of land, and if nothing is done, could potentially lose another 430,000
acres (670 sq. mi.) in the next 50 years. The acreage lost and projected to
be lost over this 100 plus year period is greater than the size of Delaware
and Washington, DC-Baltimore, MD metropolitan area combined.
The Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act (CWPPRA),
enacted in 1990 and also known as the Breaux Act, provides approximately $50
million a year for coastal protection and restoration in Louisiana. The
Louisiana Coastal Wetlands Conservation and Restoration Task Force oversees
the implementation of CWPPRA in Louisiana. The Task Force is composed of the
State of Louisiana and five federal agencies, the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, USDA-Natural Resources
Conservation Service, NOAA-National Marine Fisheries Service, and the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers. This unique partnership has led to the completion
of 60 projects that will benefit 52,199 acres throughout Louisiana's coastal
zone. The program also has 67 projects either in the engineering and design
or construction phases.
For more information about America's vanishing wetland and efforts to
protect and restore it, visit www.LaCoast.gov.
Video News Release Satellite Feed: May, 21; 4:30 - 4:45 Central Time
Satellite: Telstar 5; Transponder: C14; Downlink Frequency 3980 MHz
horizontal; Audio: 6.2 6.8; Call 225.336.2268 if you experience problems.
Editors: For more information, please contact Phyllis Darensbourg at
225.342.8955 or phyllisd@dnr.state.la.us or contact Gabrielle Bodin at
337.266.8623 or Gabrielle_Bodin@usgs.gov.
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