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Boustany Announces $8.5 Million Grant to Build Four Coastal Restoration Barriers in Cameron and Vermillion Parishes

Sep 25 2008
 
Washington, D.C.– U.S. Representative Charles W. Boustany, Jr., (R-Southwest Louisiana), today announced a $8.5 million grant for the Rockefeller Refuge Shoreline Demonstration project to prevent coastal erosion in Cameron and Vermillion parishes.
 
“People in Southwest Louisiana understand how important our coast is to our economy, our energy and our way of life,” Boustany said.  “This grant is another step in the process to stopping coastal erosion to protect property and lives along the coast from another devastating hurricane. Hurricanes Gustav and Ike are the most recent reminders of the damage that can be done.”
 
The grant awarded by the Minerals Management Service will be used to construct four test barriers to determine the most effective coastal defense. Once implemented, the barriers will protect one of Southwest Louisiana coastline’s quickest eroding portions. Results of the demonstration project will then be used to implement sound coastal restoration projects along the rest of the coast.
 
The project includes a 700-foot section of beach fill with gravel/crushed stone, a 500-foot section of reef breakwater with gravel/crushed stone beach fill, a 500-foot section of reef breakwater with lightweight aggregate core, and a 500-foot section of concrete panel breakwater.
 
The Rockefeller Refuge Shoreline Demonstration project is part of the State’s Coastal Impact Assistance Program (CIAP) Plan. Boustany pushed the inclusion of CIAP in the Energy Policy Act of 2005. The plan distributes $250 million annually through 2010 to coastal states for coastal restoration. The Rockefeller Refuge is listed on Louisiana’s CIAP plan.
 
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