Washington D.C. - U.S. Representative Charles W. Boustany, Jr., (R-Southwest Louisiana), today announced the Minerals Management Service awarded a $217,782 grant to construct coastal protections in Vermilion Parish.

“Rebuilding our coast throughout Southwest Louisiana is a monumental project, but we are making progress,” Boustany said.  “With the end of the official hurricane season yesterday, we are reminded of the importance of working quickly to restore our coast.  This grant is an example of American energy production helping to rebuild our wetlands and strengthen our coast.”

The grant will be used to provide protection for shoreline between Southwest Point and Indian Point.  This grant is part of the Coastal Impact Assistance Program (CIAP), which distributes funds from offshore mineral royalties to rebuild wetlands and coastal protections.  Previous grants awarded by the Minerals Management Service through the CIAP in 2009 include a $10.6 million grant for the Grand Lake Shoreline Protection project and two other grants totaling $93,777 to rebuild levees along the North Prong Schooner Bayou and improve water access at Henry Hub in Vermilion Parish.

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