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CPRA interim director outlines 105 active projects, Chandeleur draft plan open for comment
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Summary
Interim CPRA Executive Director Clay Parker presented implementation metrics, identified a $60 million Restore grant for the Maripah river reintroduction, and said the FY2026 annual plan had been approved by both legislative chambers.
Clay Parker, interim executive director of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, told the board CPRA currently manages 105 active projects — 38 in construction, 64 in engineering/design and three in planning — and outlined several funding milestones and program updates.
Parker said the draft restoration plan for the Chandeleur Islands was released for public review with comments open through July 16. “The total estimated cost to implement the preferred alternative for Chandeleur is approximately $360,000,000,” he said, adding the trustee implementation group proposes allocating about $247 million of Deepwater Horizon NRDA funds to the project.
He also confirmed CPRA was awarded a $60 million Restore grant for the river reintroduction into Maripah Swamp, which he described as the final major source of construction funding for the larger $488 million project slated for completion in 2029. Parker credited federal and local partners including the Army Corps and the Ponchartrain Levee District.
Parker said CPRA’s fiscal year 2026 annual plan had been unanimously approved on the House and Senate floors and, beginning July 1, would support 146 active projects and the operation, maintenance and monitoring of 163 projects. Highlights he cited included 77 projects in construction, 62 in engineering and design, and 21 dredging projects expected to move more than 71 million cubic yards of sediment to create or nourish over 16,000 acres.
Board members recognized outgoing executive director Glenn Ladday earlier in the meeting. Ladday, speaking to the board, said he would transition to a new role as secretary of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development and had committed to a smooth handoff to interim director Parker.
Ending: Parker said a more detailed implementation report would be presented next month and thanked staff for continuity during the leadership transition.
