Importance of Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Highlighted

The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority has announced its plans to issue a Request for Proposal for qualified firms interested in conducting an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion.

The Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion will be the first major controlled sediment diversion reconnecting the Mississippi River with its delta.

It is a cornerstone of Louisiana’s Coastal Master Plan and will provide sediment, water and nutrients to the Barataria basin in order to build land, maintain and sustain wetlands, including complimenting the billions of dollars that have been or will be invested in marsh creation projects in basin, which utilize Mississippi River dredging.

An environmental impact statement is a document required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to evaluate the impact on human environments for a proposed action. As part of the EIS process, significant public engagement will occur and the document will clearly and transparently describe the environmental effects of the proposed Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion.

This action is the next step in the state’s expedited plans to implement projects that will protect and restore coastal Louisiana.

The process will include public scoping meetings, development of a draft EIS which will be released for public comment, and the development of a final EIS which will undergo additional public comment and will be reviewed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers prior to commencement of construction.