CPRA implementation update: Bayou Caine marsh project out to bid; Upper Barataria risk reduction substantially complete

Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority staff on July 16, 2025 reported 101 active projects statewide and provided status updates on several near‑term construction efforts, including a Bayou Caine marsh creation project out to bid and a substantially complete Upper Barataria risk‑reduction project in St. Charles Parish.

"This month, we're looking at a 101 active projects, 36 in construction with 62 in engineering and design and 3 in planning," CPRA Deputy Director Clay Parker told the board during the implementation update.

Bayou Caine marsh creation (St. Tammany Parish): CPRA staff said the project was advertised on June 25 and had a pre‑bid conference the day before the meeting; bid openings were scheduled for July 29. Staff described the Bayou Caine project as a roughly $45,000,000 dredge‑and‑deposit marsh creation effort that will restore about 558 acres of marsh along 6 miles of shoreline by placing dredged sediment into seven marsh creation cells to stabilize shoreline and protect marsh from conversion to open water.

Upper Barataria risk reduction (St. Charles Parish): staff reported the Sunset Lehi Upper Barataria risk‑reduction project was substantially complete as of July 8. CPRA said the completed work establishes levee crown elevations with a target elevation of 8 feet and that the improvements will integrate with the St. Charles Parish West Bank protection levee and the broader Upper Barataria system.

Chafunkta (Chafungka) Habitat Restoration (St. Tammany Parish, parish matching): CPRA presented a conceptual design for shoreline protection around the historic Chafunkta River Light. Staff described a project that would build a 425‑foot bulkhead capped with riprap, a 310‑foot pier and a breakwater to conserve shoreline and restore hydrology. CPRA said it will contribute $1,000,000 and St. Tammany Parish $833,000 as part of the parish matching program; staff described the work as the first phase of a multi‑phase restoration that could include a future ~1,300‑foot breakwater.

On the lighthouse—s age and history, meeting remarks contained inconsistent years (a speaker referred to an 1868 construction date and later another remark used 1837); CPRA did not provide a corrected construction date during the meeting.

Other items: CPRA reminded the board that the Chandelier Islands restoration plan was out for public review and that comments for that plan were closing on the day of the meeting. Staff also showed photos and said members and CPRA staff met with incoming New Orleans District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers commander Col. Otan; staff thanked outgoing Col. Jones for his service and said Col. Otan will assume command later in the month.

The deputy director closed the update by reminding the public that CPRA posts monthly project spreadsheets and contact information on social media and the agency website.

Ending: Board members thanked staff and had no additional questions during the meeting's implementation update.