NFWF OKs USD 144.5 M for Louisiana Barrier Island Restoration

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) recently announced $144.5 million in funding for the second increment of the Caminada Headland Beach and Dune Restoration project in Louisiana.

This portion of the project will pump over five million cubic yards of sand from the Gulf of Mexico via pipeline, creating approximately 490 acres of beach and dune habitat and restoring approximately 7.5 additional miles of beach. Construction is expected to begin in late summer 2014.

Funding for this project comes from the Gulf Environmental Benefit Fund, which was established by NFWF in the wake of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill to manage funds resulting from the settlement of federal criminal charges against BP and Transocean. In November 2013, NFWF announced its intent to obligate $67.9 million from the Fund for five projects in Louisiana, including $3 million for the engineering and design of Caminada Beach and Dune Increment II.

“This investment is a milestone for NFWF and Louisiana, one which reflects the strong partnership we have established over the last year,” said NFWF Executive Director and CEO Jeff Trandahl. “Barrier shorelines like Caminada Headlands are vital to the overall protection and restoration of Louisiana’s threatened coast, while providing critical habitat for important fish and bird species. We look forward to continuing our support as Louisiana works to repair its fragile coastal ecosystem.”

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Press Release, May 14, 2014