Project Summary:
The LaBranche Wetlands ecosystem contains the largest contiguous tract of wetlands along the south shore of Lake Pontchartrain (Figure 1). The area contains approximately 20,000 acres of tidally-influenced marshes and cypress swamps. Interstate 10 (I10) passes over the intermediate/brackish marsh of the LaBranche Wetlands between the Jefferson-St. Charles Parish line and the Bonnet Carré Spillway, making it one of the most highly visible wetlands in our area.
The primary goal is to restore marsh that converted to shallow open water. Project implementation will result in an increase of fisheries and wildlife habitat acreage, and diversity along with improving water quality. The proposed project would provide a protective wetland buffer to the railroad and I-10, the region’s primary westward hurricane evacuation route, and complement hurricane protection measures in the area. The proposed solution consists of the creation of 1471 acres of emergent wetlands and the nourishment of 148 acres of existing wetlands using dedicated dredging from Lake Pontchartrain. The target elevation of the marsh creation cells is the same as average healthy marsh adjacent to the project area. The creation cells will be fully contained…