EPA Awards More Than $20 Million to the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources for Whiskey Island Restoration

(Dallas, Texas – July 2008) The Environmental Protection Agency has awarded $20,678,580 to the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources (LDNR) to restore and protect the marshes at Whiskey Island in Terrebonne Parish. The Whiskey Island Back Barrier Marsh Creation, TE-50 project will serve several functions including the creation of a back barrier platform on which the island can migrate approximately 300 acres of coastal habitat, a minimum of three one-acre tidal ponds, 5,800 feet of tidal creeks, approximately 13,000 feet of dune, and vegetation of the completed project with smooth cordgrass. Under the guidelines of the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act and in partnership with EPA Region 6, LDNR will implement projects that create, protect, restore and enhance wetlands in coastal Louisiana.