Contact: Gordon Helm, NOAA                   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
         Sidney Coffee, Louisiana DNR        7/1/98

A massive two-part wetlands creation project is nearing completion in the Atchafalaya River delta, as federal and state partners gather today to dedicate the site, the Commerce Department's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced today.

When completed, the Big Island and Atchafalaya Sediment Delivery Projects will immediately create over 900 acres of wetlands by careful placement of dredged sediment, with another 3,000 acres created through natural processes over the next 20 years. The two projects are located in the Atchafalaya River delta about 18 miles southwest of Morgan City, La.

"These projects are yet another example of the Administration's efforts to restore America's fisheries and sustain the coastal communities that depend on them," said Secretary of Commerce William M. Daley. "Louisiana wetlands supply habitat for many marine species and are an essential part of the commerce in that region."

"The Big Island and Atchafalaya Sediment Delivery Projects are perfect examples of the real value of the Breaux Act," said Senator John Breaux (D-LA), who has been instrumental in securing approximately $40 million per year in federal funding for the Louisiana wetlands protection and restoration projects approved by the CWPPRA Task Force. "Each year, the bill provides automatic dollars Louisiana communities can count on for coastal restoration, wetlands preservation, and jobs that help our local economy."

Project engineers are constructing channels (with a combined length of about 43,500 feet) that will distribute sediment over a wide area on both sides of the main shipping channel. Dredged material is then formed into a flat pattern that mimics natural delta, creating a natural distribution system to transport water and sediment throughout the reaches of the project area.

"Our project will restore the sediment delivery process that had been lost in the Atchafalaya River delta," said Rolland Schmitten, director of the National Marine Fisheries Service, the CWPPRA partner in charge of the project. "Natural expansion of the delta has been hampered by previous dredging to keep the navigation channel open. This design will allow the natural process of wetlands creation to occur."

Jack Caldwell, secretary of the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR), said, "NOAA continues to demonstrate its focus on implementation of projects. This is of major importance to Louisiana, a state losing up to 35 square miles of coastal wetlands a year. The Big Island work has allowed us to raise the bar and set new standards throughout the world in the area of coastal wetlands restoration."

"Louisiana and the entire nation benefit from the Breaux Act and Big Island is proof of that," said Katherine G. Vaughn, Louisiana DNR assistant secretary for the Office of Coastal Restoration and Management. "NOAA continues to be an outstanding partner for Louisiana, showing a strong commitment to efficiency, while adapting to the needs of the state and the private sector. The partnership has resulted in the completion of two major projects since the first of the year with more in the works. It's a shining example of state and federal governments working together to accomplish projects that impact us all."

Already, marsh grass and other vegetation are beginning to grow on the newly created lands. Alligators and numerous species of birds - including ducks, roseate spoonbills, black terns and American egrets have been observed using the new delta islands. Several species of fish also have been seen in waters adjacent to the new islands.

River/Road Construction Inc. of Mandeville, La., is the contractor for the $7.5 million project. Approximately 60 workers are using two hydraulic dredges and other special equipment to create the new wetlands. "Like all Louisianans, we are concerned about wetlands loss, and are

When completed, the Big Island project will distribute approximately 3.4 million cubic yards of dredged material in the shallow waters west of Big Island to create and restore wetlands there. Construction started in March and is expected to be completed by September 1998.

The Atchafalaya Sediment Delivery project reopened two distributary channels from the Atchafalaya River through Natal Channel and Radcliffe Pass into the shallow waters east of the existing delta. About 670,000 cubic yards of dredged material was deposited to create delta lobes and marsh. Construction on the Atchafalaya Sediment Delivery project was completed in March 1998.