[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6665645,"mediaKeyId","2346867-67f848c572382fa2e8396154c4d0dc45","parentId",2346867,"title","U.S. Army Corps updates CPRA on Lower Mississippi River comprehensive study; chief's report targeted for Dec. 2027","audioSeconds",1078,"startMs",1599000,"endMs",2677000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2346867-67f848c572382fa2e8396154c4d0dc45&start=1599&end=2677","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2346867-67f848c572382fa2e8396154c4d0dc45/thumbnail_1599000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6665645/Louisiana/US-Army-Corps-updates-CPRA-on-Lower-Mississippi-River-comprehensive-study-chiefs-report-targeted-for-Dec-2027","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6665645-81b9c9aa4397df8a6a4f7c15e5d80834/orig.mp4?Expires=1773639685&Signature=m~1x9CbuNRDIthqwoRWg-iZekX20BihifjDBsbigfPLZ24xcsAB4o34nTK4QugTr7MsFQXUCjeib4WoDtDu1HKaSCdG-M6GMkoIfEPFJrZkqW50faR9T2vK96KB-mBEfN8GlES8Q167R2aat-pZi350JG1M7SBFSdDWv1wF2L2gKE3X48K5~Osyf3ZdZtja7FbWkMmutyGl7ExMaoigz9FoYt3PsTr65w8MTYprYLQrc3y89bRl8S9rtjmzytYu7WTIc3A9kTrephch8azPKrmvCaiOBecWhpEAlEF9Wt0MtgPXV1PIeH5~ooeEQ2tM6lU71jN9zakBfU3kNW7DbyA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Louisiana - Boards & Comissions, Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Board","date","2025-02-19T21:03:12.267Z","article","Colonel Colin Jones, New Orleans District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and Anne Joellos, the study’s senior project manager, briefed the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority board on Feb. 19 on the Lower Mississippi River Comprehensive Management Study (LMR Comp Study), a multi‑state effort to examine the next 50–100 years of comprehensive river management.

Scope and authorization

Jones said the study area extends from Cape Girardeau, Missouri, to the Gulf of Mexico — about 975 river miles — and crosses seven states. Congress authorized the study in the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (section 213), and in December 2022 Congress provided authorization to fund the study at 100% federal cost (section cited in presentation). The study has a five‑year, $25,000,000 program budget and aims to deliver a chief’s report with actionable recommendations in December 2027.

Study goals and approaches

Jones described the study as intended to evaluate the comprehensive management of the Lower Mississippi and the Atchafalaya with primary objectives that include hurricane, storm and flood risk management, navigation, and ecosystem restoration; the study will also consider compatible uses such as water supply, hydropower and recreation. Jones emphasized modeling and stakeholder engagement: the team has built hydrologic and sediment models, has executed more than 32 public meetings across the seven states and published a public scoping report summarizing input.

Potential measures under evaluation

- Dynamic operation of the Old River Control Complex to consider whether flow splits between the Mississippi and the Atchafalaya could be varied at specific times for environmental or flood‑risk reasons. Jones said models are testing whether a forecast‑informed, adaptive operational approach could produce benefits for ecosystems and risk reduction while noting any change would require extensive evaluation and coordination.

- Dredging and flow management measures to support ecosystem restoration and navigation.

- Structural and operational modifications, monitoring and adaptive management measures, and possible new construction features where warranted.

Public and partner engagement

Joellos and Jones emphasized interagency coordination — six Corps districts, three divisions, 44 federally recognized tribes, multiple federal agencies and state partner groups — plus frequent public outreach. Jones said the Corps has organized regular governance meetings that include state designees (including CPRA leadership) and that the team will host public technical and policy review opportunities in 2026 and receive state feedback before a draft chief’s report.

Funding and timeline questions

Board members asked about study funding and future budget requests. The Corps representatives said they had been appropriated $9.5 million to date and that the scope is designed to be completed within the authorized $25,000,000. They also noted additional appropriations would be sought for tiered follow‑on studies if recommended; the team reported requesting an additional $4,000,000 for FY2025 and a capability expression of roughly $7,000,000 for FY2026.

Local concerns and next steps

Members of the Atchafalaya and Terrebonne basin delegations raised concerns about potential changes to the 70/30 flow split at Old River and the possible local impacts if operations were modified; Corps staff said those impacts would be evaluated and the study will seek state and local input. Jones encouraged stakeholders to register via the study website and stakeholder database (QR code provided during the update) to receive ongoing updates.

If you want to follow the study: the Corps published a scoping report, has a stakeholder database reachable via the study website and plans further public and technical review in 2026 ahead of the December 2027 chief’s report.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","CPRA Board Meeting February 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Colonel Colin Jones of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers told the CPRA board that the Lower Mississippi River comprehensive management study covers about 975 river miles from Cape Girardeau, Missouri, to the Gulf and seeks to deliver a chief’s report with actionable recommendations by December 2027.","taxTitle","Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Board, Boards & Commissions, Organizations, Executive, Louisiana","taxId",45335,"location","Louisiana","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6665646,"CPRA reports 109 active projects, highlights LaBranche shoreline, Grand Bayou marsh creation and Bayou Lafourche pump upgrades",163,170000,333000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2346867-67f848c572382fa2e8396154c4d0dc45&start=170&end=333","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2346867-67f848c572382fa2e8396154c4d0dc45/thumbnail_170000.jpg","/articles/6665646/Louisiana/CPRA-reports-109-active-projects-highlights-LaBranche-shoreline-Grand-Bayou-marsh-creation-and-Bayou-Lafourche-pump-upgrades","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6665646-9325181e9b90ef3b8a7343dfbc45327d/orig.mp4?Expires=1773639685&Signature=GKe8PsUK5Cwvjn7b0uDWQh9VXPuvUN8un91Bis94QP0fspOfOIPQtKAsHUKVjFMftgmzjr-4QwWEP5V1MeKQE9OQKVsiP4S2PI3OjXFnl8Y~fF2tBQufQcOMEbmPbvxmCBRqli8mjmWot--IAY-3uXUDhqJSX~QSRbFqWYWxhqk5eyVSISyaZnd46s61xlqbvMhLZKiJ87Q83UpfCkXHDGysAXSDeo~I1tl56~v9nn6s5NnPfmU3FyimldYEiTzpGkx6px-bNb3PoUVLLxcn0GmbBISR5wFrPHNENm6Z3c-~Cdt0v57w4yXtVlBR8C-GhfeY1e97l67KY9zJ6Bdnnw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Glenn Lade, executive director of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, told the board on Feb. 19 that CPRA currently has 109 active projects across the coast, with 37 in construction and 68 in engineering and design.

Lade said construction began in January on the LaBranche Shoreline Protection Project in St. Charles Parish, funded with surplus dollars and budgeted at approximately $25,000,000, and on the Grand Bayou Ridge and Marsh Creation Restoration Project in Plaquemines Parish, led by Wicks Marine and estimated at $62,400,000. “We’re back up to 109 active projects,” Lade said during the implementation update.

Why it matters: CPRA’s active project portfolio and near-term advertising of construction bids indicate substantial ongoing work on shoreline protection, marsh creation and hurricane protection across Coastal Louisiana. Several of the listed projects are intended to protect populated corridors and working fisheries and to create or restore marsh that buffers storm surge.

Key project details and program updates

- LaBranche Shoreline Protection (St. Charles Parish): Lade said the project will include about 13,000 linear feet of rock dike, dredging of access channels, and rock replacement beginning next month; he gave an approximate overall budget of $25,000,000. The project was described as part of a regional shoreline protection effort near the I-10 corridor.

- Grand Bayou Ridge and Marsh Creation (Plaquemines Parish): Construction began Jan. 12, led by Wicks Marine; Lade said the project includes roughly 356 acres of marsh creation plus about 10,657 linear feet of forested ridges along the western bank, with an estimated cost of $62,400,000.

- Bayou Lafourche pumping improvements (Ascension Parish/Donaldsonville): Lade reported ongoing work to increase pumping capacity by 1,500 cubic feet per second (CFS) as part of a three‑phase program led by the Bayou Lafourche Freshwater District with technical and funding support from CPRA and DEQ. He said dredging to achieve full capacity remains a future phase.

- Bayou Pigeon boat launch (Atchafalaya/rec‑use): As part of the Atchafalaya Basin program, CPRA and local partners have begun work on a Bayou Pigeon boat launch that will provide seven new slips, improved parking and other access infrastructure; CPRA expects completion in summer 2025.

- Terrebonne Bird Island and other marsh‑building efforts: Lade described finishing work on rock dikes, more breakwaters, dredging and sand placement to complete bird islands and other habitat projects.

Grants, outreach and public process

Lade highlighted a $5,000,000 award from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s America the Beautiful grant to support Chandeleur Island restoration engineering and construction. He also described a Super Bowl‑related living‑shoreline volunteer build in Lafourche Parish and a recent high‑school career event at the LSU CPRA Center for River Studies.

Annual plan public comment and next steps

Lade said CPRA presented a draft annual plan and then held three in‑person public meetings and one virtual meeting (Lake Charles, Houma and Jefferson) with about 200 attendees; CPRA had received 43 written comments at the time of his remarks. He said CPRA would present a revised annual plan to the board on April 16 and then, if approved, would present to the legislature. Lade gave a public comment channel (email and online form) and a near‑term solicitation deadline for the Atchafalaya master plan’s project submittal period of Feb. 28.

Board response and questions

There were no substantive board objections recorded during Lade’s update and no motions specific to projects during the presentation.

Looking ahead: CPRA signaled multiple projects will advertise for construction bids in the coming months and that the agency will continue public engagement on the annual plan and Atchafalaya master plan.","Glenn Lade, executive director of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, told the board on Feb. 19 that CPRA currently has 109 active projects, with 37 in construction and 68 in engineering and design.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6665640,"CWPPRA task force updates projects and sparks discussion on parish representation and selection criteria",870,5580000,6450000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2346867-67f848c572382fa2e8396154c4d0dc45&start=5580&end=6450","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2346867-67f848c572382fa2e8396154c4d0dc45/thumbnail_5580000.jpg","/articles/6665640/Louisiana/CWPPRA-task-force-updates-projects-and-sparks-discussion-on-parish-representation-and-selection-criteria","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6665640-073717c4e527f9d37bb3cd954319cdc7/orig.mp4?Expires=1773639685&Signature=Px7gm8t3DKclYIxik7q7i4lLY6x2IFJSoWCEmAvK1CWeAZ5yAq5GIHPodNRV~YUhS6F12NZ4DSyBz-yCpNmlYRf8iiihY-jQExb4H-h7UTxkHsvw33fSlnbHXC4-2Xw~9yLPCNxYpGqSvOtY8UrEweh2YMc-KryZ1~3NMOsP2yKE95nJjKXkBv0DUO6LvTWoMV8XVTDjW-3-Dp-siNbA8uR2Yo3eYVLJ7RlzYTxEQQV9mhqEQhYGWoYy7hu5oTSX9beizTFMzHA7pI1q9B8CClykkpkgOcu3b--wv9u0~JSNn8S6aeTAZs-Eoj15R3NeieO7VDd5giFyUOALjin2nw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Neil McMillan (CPRA) briefed the board on the CWPPRA (commonly pronounced “Quipra”) program, the federal Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act program that has funded coastal restoration projects in Louisiana for 35 years.

Program background and funding

McMillan described CWPPRA as a congressionally authorized program (CWPPRA act) that channels a portion of the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund into coastal restoration, historically returning about 70% of the state‑eligible share to Louisiana. He said CWPPRA has supported repeated project types — marsh creation, barrier island restoration, terracing, hydrologic restoration, ridge restoration and monitoring — and funds the state’s largest coastal monitoring network (CRMS).

Recent approvals and project moves

McMillan summarized recent task force decisions: two closely related Saint Bernard Parish projects were combined into a single engineering and design package; concept components of the South Hills and Charles Land Bridge projects are being advanced for engineering; Grand Chenier marsh creation and terracing was approved for engineering and design; and three projects — Port Fourchon marsh creation, North Delacro marsh creation and terracing, and Bay Raccerty marsh creation and ridge restoration — were approved to move to construction (phase 2) with funding set in the current cycle.

Why it matters: CWPPRA remains a principal construction source for on‑the‑ground coastal work in Louisiana. McMillan said typical annual construction budgets are in the range of $60–$70 million and noted the program’s cumulative federal investment exceeds $1 billion with more than 105,000 net acres benefited in past projects.

Board discussion: parish representation and selection criteria

Board member Veil (speaker recorded as raising concerns) delivered a detailed critique of the selection process and parish influence: he urged CPRA and the task force to improve parish representation and suggested parishes should be better supported to develop local master plans and submit parish‑led project nominations so that local priorities drive early selection stages. He also suggested that CPRA consider mechanisms to ensure a portion of state match or emphasis of expenditures west of the Atchafalaya River. McMillan and CPRA board members acknowledged the program’s history and said they are open to modernizing CWPPRA processes and engaging parishes with technical support.

Next steps and public process

McMillan said regional nomination meetings were recently held and the task force will narrow nominations to a coast‑wide list and then to the phase‑1 candidate list in the spring; final phase decisions are expected later in the year. He invited board members to engage in the selection process and offered CPRA support for parish technical planning.

Public interest and outreach

McMillan noted CWPPRA funds monitoring, outreach and demonstration projects in addition to construction, and he highlighted the program’s role in training and public education about coastal careers and restoration techniques.","CPRA and federal partners reviewed Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act (CWPPRA) activity; task force approved engineering and construction moves for several projects and board members raised concerns about parish influence and selection criteria.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6665643,"Restore or Retreat volunteers plant thousands of marsh grasses and mangroves at West Grand Terre; Port Fourchon terraces receive 12,000 mangroves",728,3921000,4649000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2346867-67f848c572382fa2e8396154c4d0dc45&start=3921&end=4649","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2346867-67f848c572382fa2e8396154c4d0dc45/thumbnail_3921000.jpg","/articles/6665643/Louisiana/Restore-or-Retreat-volunteers-plant-thousands-of-marsh-grasses-and-mangroves-at-West-Grand-Terre-Port-Fourchon-terraces-receive-12000-mangroves","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6665643-09ecbea7f45ba5078dc4fb74d614d213/orig.mp4?Expires=1773639685&Signature=W5OWip7UgLRk20AnG~2MhMu8FlMmBZSGg1UCzpIRkZModzItv~lZEH9Xa7q~MRIl-RPw~PA6sgjuuYUSVsiVwEJxxoY~VesmOfij9Xy--8HVcn9ppnqzs7rpMcRC~j2oi3TfsmYcmx8f3j5vmE5NsLdjiR6Rtp4qbrc5LVo-pMcLdXjoQZPlrfdHCQgxIUAZwbP3PJw46ah3kNF-e0IUuH5vkZG~t08hAp~m-Al-p~A24j698NDWBE0uAK4vDtciiQTIlQZjBeB93IVaxnOWmL7gZkvMa7G8wJ6B5a107Byc1oRHs0uHSYBs4yuUF9KvitsT-GG-ph~np7VhMejOgg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Joseph Ojuro and Polly Glover of Restore or Retreat presented to the CPRA board on Feb. 19 about two volunteer‑led restoration efforts in the Lower Barataria Basin: planting at West Grand Terre and terraces and living shoreline work near Port Fourchon.

West Grand Terre planting

Polly Glover said Restore or Retreat’s October 2024 planting at West Grand Terre involved 37 volunteers and approximately 8,200 plants across three species (sand oaks in a dune test plot, smooth cordgrass and black mangrove) planted to stabilize shoreline and reestablish habitat. Glover described an earlier phase 1 planting (Nov. 2022) of about 10 acres that has since vegetated. She told the board the group used dredged sediment to reconstruct marsh platform and that volunteer plantings help with sediment retention and habitat for shorebirds and fisheries.

Glover and Ojuro reported a post‑winter field check after an unusual snow event: they observed approximately 80% survivorship among vermilion smooth cordgrass and more stress among black mangroves (roughly 50–60% showing top damage consistent with cold exposure). Restore or Retreat plans another island visit in April to reassess and, if necessary, supplement plantings.

Port Fourchon terraces and living shoreline

Ojuro and Glover described a terraces project near Port Fourchon undertaken with Ducks Unlimited, Woodside Energy and other partners. The project includes 22 earthen terraces totaling roughly 87,000 linear feet. In December (volunteer event), MANG (a private organization) and other donors paid for mangrove stock; volunteers planted 12,000 mangroves over three days as part of the terraces and living shoreline demonstration. The team also tested matrix materials (Cajun coral) for shoreline stabilization.

Funding and collaboration

Glover identified three principal funders for West Grand Terre plantings: a CPRA Partnership Trust Fund grant, a Restore America’s Estuaries grant, and a CITGO contribution; private donors provided additional vegetation stock. The Port Fourchon mangrove purchase was supported by a $100,000 Woodside Energy grant for stock.

Community engagement and volunteering

Both presenters emphasized the volunteer dimension: Restore or Retreat organizes hands‑on planting events that they say build public ownership of coastal restoration and expose volunteers to hands‑on conservation work. They provided contact information (restoreretreat.org) for people seeking to volunteer.

Board follow‑up and context

Board members asked about survival rates and planting logistics; presenters said they make field visits every two to four months and will continue to monitor and report. The presenters also noted historical uses of West Grand Terre and that the island was affected by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill; they credited settlement funds historically used for coastal restoration and noted the state is seeking long‑term revenue replacements beyond the settlement period (presenters referenced revenue timelines and recent constitutional changes but did not identify an exact dollar amount as part of this briefing).","Restore or Retreat described two volunteer‑led restoration efforts to the CPRA board: an October 2024 planting of roughly 8,200 plants at West Grand Terre and a Port Fourchon terraces effort that placed 12,000 mangroves over three days with local partners and private grants.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

U.S. Army Corps updates CPRA on Lower Mississippi River comprehensive study; chief's report targeted for Dec. 2027

CPRA reports 109 active projects, highlights LaBranche shoreline, Grand Bayou marsh creation and Bayou Lafourche pump upgrades

CWPPRA task force updates projects and sparks discussion on parish representation and selection criteria

Restore or Retreat volunteers plant thousands of marsh grasses and mangroves at West Grand Terre; Port Fourchon terraces receive 12,000 mangroves