Posted on January 5, 2026
In 2025, the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) delivered some of the most impactful work in its history, advancing major coastal restoration and protection efforts across Louisiana’s coast. The year included 12 new construction starts totaling $429 million and the completion of 12 projects valued at $363 million.
CPRA’s efforts strengthened nearly five miles of levees, restored and enhanced 9,216 acres of wetlands, and placed 10.5 million cubic yards of sediment to rebuild and protect the coast.
Working alongside federal, state, and local partners, CPRA advanced projects spanning from marsh creation and environmental restoration to parish recreation and storm damage risk reduction. Together, these efforts represent meaningful progress toward a more resilient coast.
Below is a look at some of the significant milestones and achievements across the Louisiana coast in 2025.
Major Milestones
Approval of the Fiscal Year 2026 Annual Plan
In July, the Louisiana Legislature unanimously approved the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority’s (CPRA) Fiscal Year 2026 Annual Plan, advancing a record $1.98 billion investment in coastal restoration and protection—the largest single-year investment in the program’s history. The plan received unanimous support in both the House and Senate, reflecting strong bipartisan commitment to protecting and restoring Louisiana’s coast.
The FY 2026 Annual Plan supports 146 active projects and the operation, maintenance, and monitoring of 163 completed projects, spanning engineering and design, construction, marsh creation, barrier island restoration, and major flood risk reduction efforts across the coast.
Governor Landry Appoints Michael Hare as Executive Director of CPRA
On July 11, Governor Landry announced Michael Hare as the new Executive Director of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA). Hare brings more than 20 years of experience in public policy and environmental advocacy.
He is the founder of WILDHARE Solutions, LLC, where he advises clients in environmental markets with a focus on compensatory mitigation and coastal restoration. Previously, he served as Director of Government Affairs and Business Development at RES and held senior government roles, including Deputy District Director and Legislative Assistant to U.S. Representative Charles Boustany.
Two Decades after Katrina, Louisiana’s Coastal Investments Deliver Proven Protection and Resilience
On the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, CPRA highlighted its progress and proven results in storm surge risk reduction and coastal restoration.
Created in 2005 in direct response to the devastation caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the CPRA was charged with integrating hurricane protection and coastal restoration efforts across Louisiana’s coast. Since its creation, the agency has secured $21.6 billion in funding, utilized 226 million cubic yards of fill, benefitted 83,298 acres of land, improved 396 miles of levees, and constructed 71.6 miles of barrier islands and berms.
In September, CPRA received two grants from the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council (RESTORE Council): $60 million to support construction of the River Reintroduction into Maurepas Swamp Project and $122 million to begin construction of the Calcasieu-Sabine Large-Scale Marsh and Hydrologic Restoration Project.
The Maurepas Swamp Project is a large-scale effort to restore one of Louisiana’s most ecologically significant swamps. This award represents the final major source of construction funding needed to fully deliver the $488 million project, which is scheduled for completion in 2029.
In the Calcasieu-Sabine Basin, where more than 128,000 acres of wetlands have been lost since 1932 and an additional 110,000 acres are projected to be lost over the next 50 years without action, this investment marks a major step toward long-planned restoration. The funding will advance work across the 65,000-acre Cameron Creole Watershed in Cameron Parish.
CPRA joins USACE in Welcoming Col. Scotty Autin
Col. Scotty Autin assumed command of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) New Orleans District in July 2025. As a key partner of the CPRA, USACE plays a critical role in advancing major coastal and flood protection initiatives, including the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MRGO) Ecosystem Restoration, the River Reintroduction to the Maurepas Swamp, and the West Shore of Lake Pontchartrain Hurricane Protection Project.
Under Col. Autin’s leadership, the partnership between USACE and CPRA is well positioned to continue delivering vital projects that strengthen coastal resilience and protect Louisiana communities.
2025 Parish Matching Program Awards
During the March board meeting, CPRA announced six recipients of a combined $6 million in 2025 Parish Matching Program awards. The Program is a funding opportunity that partners directly with Parish governments to support critical restoration efforts.
Funding in FY2025 is allocated on a reimbursement basis and made available through Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GOMESA) funding.
The following were selected to be awarded Parish Matching grants in 2025:
- Terrebonne: Raccourci Bay Terraces Phase II – construction of ~18,000 linear feet of earthen terraces to reduce wave energy and increase area of emergent habita
- Lafourche: Hwy 1 Terracing Extension – construction of ~20,000 linear feet of earthen terraces to reduce wave energy and add protection to LA1 and nearby levee
- St. Tammany: Tchefuncte Habitat Restoration – construction of a breakwater to protect the historic Tchefuncte River Lighthous
- St. Tammany: Mandeville Lakefront Wetlands Project– construction of a multi-faceted restoration project including marsh creation, a rock berm, and weir along the Pontchartrain lakefront to protect a cypress swamp, redirect urban runoff, and increase resiliency of the surrounding communit
- Tangipahoa: Lee’s Landing Hydrologic Restoration– creation of spoil bank cuts along the Powerline Canal to improve drainage south of Ponchatoula and improve hydrologic connectivity within the wetlands of the Manchac Landbridg
- Vermilion: North Vermilion Bay Shoreline Protection Phase II– extending construction of a rock breakwater east of the mouth of Boston Canal
CPRA Community Outreach
- Rougarou Fest in Houma
- Master Plan Meeting in Abbeville
Throughout 2025, CPRA staff attended over 100 outreach events, including public meetings, volunteer planting events, community conversations, presentations, and much more across the coast to interact with stakeholders and community members.
State of the Coast
The 2025 State of the Coast Conference was the largest to date, drawing more than 1,300 attendees. CPRA was proud to co-host the biennial event alongside the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana and The Water Institute.
The conference featured 517 presenters, including 40 CPRA team members, and focused on the challenges and progress shaping Louisiana’s coast. Through thought-provoking plenaries and engaging discussions on coastal resilience, restoration, and innovation, the event highlighted the power of collaboration and the urgency of adaptive strategies for Louisiana’s changing coast.
Super Bowl LIX Community Green Project
As part of the Super Bowl LIX Community Green Project, CPRA had the awesome opportunity to team up with the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana, NFL Green, New Orleans Super Bowl Host Committee, FORCE BLUE, Chefs Brigade, Verizon, Entergy Louisiana, Dow Gulf Coast, Port Fourchon, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program, Lafourche Parish Government, and IMTT to build a living shoreline in Leeville, La. Over 59 tons of recycled oyster shells and 2000 plugs of marsh grass were used to help mitigate storm damage and minimize coastal erosion in south Lafourche Parish.
Ocean Commotion at LSU’s Pete Maravich Assembly Center
CPRA participated in this year’s Ocean Commotion at the LSU Pete Maravich Assembly Center, hosted by Louisiana Sea Grant. The event provided an opportunity for CPRA staff to engage with students, share information about coastal restoration and protection efforts, and highlight the important work being done to sustain Louisiana’s coast.
Ocean Commotion offers K–8 students a fun, hands-on learning experience focused on coastal wetlands, local ecosystems, invasive species, boating safety, and Louisiana’s unique geology and wildlife. Events like this play a vital role in inspiring the next generation of coastal leaders who will one day help address the challenges facing Louisiana’s coast.
Completed Projects
Lake Borgne Marsh Creation Project
On December 2, CPRA hosted local, state and federal partners at Shell Beach for a ribbon cutting event to celebrate the completion of the Lake Borgne Marsh Creation project. Construction on the project started in 2021 and utilized 15 million cubic yards of dredged material, enough to fill the Superdome about three times. Upon completion, the project became Louisiana’s largest marsh creation effort by acreage, restoring 3,180 acres of marsh along the lake’s south shore.
During construction, CPRA added a component of the nearby Bayou La Loutre Marsh Creation and Ridge Restoration into the project. This addition created and nourished approximately 421 acres of marsh south of Lena Lagoon. In addition, 5.46 miles of ridge along the bayou’s banks were constructed to support 24.4 acres of Live Oak/Hackberry maritime forest habitat.
Bayou Pigeon Boat Launch Improvement Project
In December, officials from CPRA and Iberville Parish celebrated the completion of the Bayou Pigeon Boat Launch Improvement Project with a ribbon cutting ceremony, marking a major upgrade to one of the most heavily used access points in the Atchafalaya Basin.
The project expanded the number of boat launches from two to seven and added new floating piers to make boat launching and retrieval safer and more efficient. Additional improvements include upgraded parking and trailering facilities, as well as ADA-compliant parking spaces. Beyond recreational use, the Bayou Pigeon Boat Launch is one of the most frequently utilized facilities in the Atchafalaya Basin for commercial activities, including fishing and crawfishing, as well as access for oil and gas industry workers and equipment transport.
Ludevine Pump Station
Construction on the Ludevine Pump Station was completed in August 2025, marking a significant milestone in strengthening local flood protection. This project reduces flood risk in Lafourche Parish by replacing and improving existing pump station infrastructure. The new pump station includes housing for the current 300 cubic feet per second (cfs) pumping capacity (two 48-inch pumps) and provides space for future expansion to 450 cfs with an additional 48-inch pump.
LaBranche Shoreline Protection and Marsh Creation
Completed in August 2025, the LaBranche Shoreline Protection Project protects 13,000 feet of Lake Pontchartrain shoreline through the construction of rock breakwater systems that reduce wave energy and erosion. This work helps preserve valuable intertidal habitat that has historically experienced shoreline loss of approximately 10 feet per year. Through a $24 million investment, the project advances St. Charles Parish’s Coastal Master Plan goals while strengthening shoreline resilience, supporting nearby wetlands, and providing long-term protection for surrounding communities and ecosystems.
Grand Bayou Ridge and Marsh Protection
Completed in November, the Grand Bayou Ridge and Marsh Protection project dredged sediment from the Mississippi River to create 332 acres of marsh near Port Sulphur in Plaquemines Parish.
Projects Currently in Progress
Nicholls Coastal Center
Construction on the Nicholls Coastal Center is expected to be complete in May 2026.
The Coastal Center will focus research efforts on the Atchafalaya River and Terrebonne Basin, housing laboratories where Nicholls students and scientists from across the state, including CPRA staff members, will collaborate to advance research supporting the repair and restoration of Louisiana’s receding coastline. Staff from Restore or Retreat moved into the facility in July 2025, followed by the Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program (BTNEP) in September 2025.
In addition to research and development, the Nicholls Coastal Center will feature a 5,000-square-foot, publicly accessible coastal exhibit space designed to educate visitors about the Atchafalaya Basin and the science guiding efforts to restore coastal wetlands and protect Louisiana’s communities.
CPRA, USACE Sign Design Agreement for Mississippi River Gulf Outlet Ecosystem Restoration Project
In August, CPRA Chairman Gordon “Gordy” Dove and Col. Scotty Autin, 66th Commander of the US Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District (USACE), signed a formal agreement to initiate the design phase of the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MRGO) Ecosystem Restoration Project.
USACE will manage the design phase in close coordination with CPRA. Once complete, construction will begin on large-scale restoration projects that are expected to improve coastal resilience, enhance fisheries, and restore critical habitat across the MRGO ecosystem.
CPRA has identified Tier 1 design priorities that focus on protecting vulnerable shorelines in Orleans and St. Bernard Parishes. These efforts will add more than 35 miles of new shoreline and foreshore protection, stretching from Bayou Dupre around Proctor Point, along the southeast shore of Lake Borgne, and from Lake Pontchartrain to Bayou Chevee. Additional protection will also be built along Lake Borgne between Alligator Point and The Rigolets, helping restore natural defenses, slow erosion, and strengthen storm resilience for coastal communities.
White Lake Shoreline Protection
The White Lake Shoreline Protection project is located north of White Lake Conservation Area along the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway in Vermilion Parish. CPRA is working with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries on shoreline and levee stabilization in several critical areas of the refuge that are experiencing significant erosion, subsidence, and aging infrastructure. The effort is currently in Engineering and Design for all three phases, and the first phase construction is slated to start in early 2026.
Rockefeller Refuge Shoreline Stabilization
Located in Cameron Parish, the Rockefeller Shoreline Stabilization project aims to protect the Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge Shoreline from erosion by building rock breakwaters offshore. This project is comprised of multiple pieces working together, and various segments were complete in 2020, 2021 and March 2025. A fourth segment is currently in Design.
Iberia and St. Mary Flood Protection Projects
The regional flood protection projects in the Iberia/St. Mary area are designed as key components of the future Iberia/St. Mary Upland Levee System, helping to reduce tidal backwater effects and maximize inland stormwater storage. Project features include structures at Little Valley Bayou, Stumpy Bayou, and Rutten Rill Road, all of which have completed final design and are scheduled to go out for bid in Q1 2026. Work on the broader Iberia/St. Mary Upland Levee System is currently focused on the Delcambre and Commercial Gates and Pump Stations, while the parishes continue the scoping phase for levee design and remaining system components.
River Reintroduction into Bayou Lafourche Pumping Capacity Improvements
This project expands the Mississippi River intake to 1,000-1,500 cubic feet per second, securing a long-term water supply for the 300,000+ residents in Ascension, Assumption, Lafourche and Terrebonne.
Progress in 2025 includes:
- Pump station foundations/walls poured
- Access bridge underway
- Cofferdam ~65% complete
- All underground discharge pipes installed
- ~62% completion by end of 2025
The project’s anticipated completion is slated for December 2026 at a cost of approx. $98 million, which is funded through GOMESA surplus dollars, Capital Outlay, and Bayou Lafourche Freshwater District.
Morganza to the Gulf Hurricane Protection
The Morganza to the Gulf project is a large-scale project in partnership with USACE, the Terrebonne Levee and Conservation District, and the North and South Lafourche Levee Districts, designed to strengthen and raise levees in vulnerable reaches to Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes. The 98-mile system will provide a 100-year risk reduction once completed. The project will protect over 200,000 residents in Terrebonne and Lafourche and nearly 2,000 square miles of land. The first test came when Hurricane Francine struck Louisiana in 2024, and the system prevented flooding in at least 11,000 homes.
Houma Navigation Canal Lock Complex
The Houma Navigation Canal (HNC) Lock Complex is a major ecosystem restoration and storm surge protection project that reduces saltwater intrusion, restores freshwater flow and enhances hurricane protection as part of the Morganza to the Gulf system. Phase 1 was completed in 2023, and Phase 2 began construction in 2024, with estimated completion in 2028. As of late 2025, major progress includes completion of dredging, nose piers, operations area grading, and significant advancement on the sector gates, lock chamber foundations, and control building. When complete, the system will protect Terrebonne Parish communities from floodwaters coming up the HNC while allowing navigational activities to continue uninterrupted. This project is funded via the RESTORE Act’s Deepwater Horizon settlement with an estimated total cost of approx. $419 million across the three phases.
Terrebonne HNC Island Restoration
This project restores high-quality colonial water bird nesting habitat and increases the island size from 27 to 35 acres using borrowed sediment from Cat Island Pass. The project is slated to be completed in December 2025 and is funded via the Natural Resource Damage Assessment with a combination of CITGO oil spill and Deepwater Horizon dollars at a total cost of $32.85 million.
Chandeleur Islands Restoration
The Chandeleur Islands Restoration will restore 13 miles of North Chandeleur Island beaches, dunes and marsh. New Harbor Island will be restored to improve storm resiliency. There will also be a focus on restoring and enhancing 5,200 acres of marine seagrass, 2,360 acres of bird habitat, and 175 acres of sea turtle habitat. Kemp’s ridley sea turtles have been documented nesting on the Chandeleur Islands over the last four years, highlighting the islands’ importance as critical habitat for this critically endangered species.
Total cost of the project is estimated around $380 million and 30 percent of design refinement is underway, with construction slated to begin in Fall 2026.
River Reintroduction into Maurepas Swamp
The 5.5-mile River Reintroduction into Maurepas Swamp project will return water from the Mississippi River to the Maurepas Swamp to improve water quality, deliver nutrients and sediment, and support cypress-tupelo health. The project will benefit approx. 45,000 acres of wetlands, including the 9,000 acres used by USACE as mitigation for the West Shore Lake Pontchartrain project – a first-of-its-kind CPRA/USACE mitigation approach.
Diversion capacity will be 2,000 cubic feet per second and is expected to operate less than six months per year. The Maurepas Swamp provides vital storm surge protection for St. John the Baptist, St. James, Ascension and Livingston parishes. Full project completion is slated for 2030 with a project cost of $488 million.
The West Shore Lake Pontchartrain Hurricane Protection Project will provide 100-year storm surge protection for over 60,000 residents by creating 18.5 miles of levees, floodwalls, drainage structures, and pump stations. Construction began in late 2022 and is slated for completion in 2030, along with the River Reintroduction into Maurepas Swamp project as a critical mitigation effort. The largest part of the project, Reserve Relief Canal and I-55 pump station, will begin construction in 2026.
To learn more about CPRA’s achievements in 2025 and ongoing project efforts, watch CPRA Executive Director Michael Hare’s Year in Review Presentation to the CPRA Board here:
