CPRA reports 106 active projects and new federal funding as Saint Tammany plans advance
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Summary
CPRA executive director Michael Hay told the board that 106 projects are active statewide, highlighted major earmarks and FEMA awards that unlocked stalled work, and previewed near-term construction and design announcements for several coastal restoration efforts affecting Saint Tammany Parish.
Michael Hay, CPRA executive director, opened the board’s program update by saying the agency currently manages 106 active projects: “32 in construction, 71 in engineering and design, and 3 in project planning.” He told members the pace of work is constrained by long project timelines but that several notable awards and project starts will accelerate delivery.
Hay credited the state’s congressional delegation and governor with pressure that helped FEMA release large public assistance awards that had been stalled in Washington, D.C. He said those actions helped secure funding for the West Belle Hedland repair effort and other coastal work, describing a broader federal package “north of $900,000,000” that had been stalled and is now being distributed.
Among CPRA’s federal and partner funding updates, Hay listed several earmarks and awards: $3.25 million for Saint Tammany Parish flood-risk investigation, a $7 million investigation for Michigan ecosystem restoration, $500,000 for a Lake Pontchartrain storm-surge reduction study, $1.2 million for Point Celeste pump stations and a NOAA award of about $1.9 million for southwest Louisiana projects. Hay said the agency will announce contract awards for several large procurements ahead of the next board meeting.
Hay also reviewed major project milestones and timelines. He described the St. Tammany Coastal Storm and Flood Risk Management Plan — which he and others characterized as a multi-billion-dollar program — and highlighted Breton Land/Marsh Creation and the Calcasieu Sabine hydrologic restoration projects as coming into construction activity. He told the board the Chandelier Island restoration plan, approved by trustees as “alternative 5,” will rebuild dunes, beaches and marshes and is expected to begin in 2026 with NRDA funds.
On monitoring and data, Hay emphasized CPRA’s coastwide reference monitoring system (CRMS) as an open dataset central to project planning and the agency’s master plan work. He urged continued investment in CRMS and related match funding to maintain that network.
The board thanked staff for the annual plan work; Hay noted the draft would go to print in about two weeks and the board will vote on the annual plan at the March meeting.
