Posted on May 11, 2026
DELACROIX, La. — Today, the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) joined federal and state partners to celebrate progress and deliver updates on ongoing coastal restoration projects in the Breton Sound.
CPRA Chairman Gordon “Gordy” Dove and Executive Director Michael Hare were joined by St. Bernard Parish President Louis Pomes, Plaquemines Parish President Keith Hinkley, US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) New Orleans District Commander Col. Scotty Autin, representing the Coastal Wetlands Planning Protection and Restoration Act (CWPPRA) program, for a tour and overview of projects aimed at restoring areas of the Breton Sound off the coasts of Plaquemines and St. Bernard parishes.
“Louisiana’s coast is vital to our communities, our economy, and our way of life, and the progress we’re seeing in the Breton Sound reflects our strong commitment to protecting it,” said Gov. Jeff Landry. “By working together with our federal, state, and local partners, we are making meaningful investments that restore our wetlands, strengthen storm protection, and ensure that communities in St. Bernard, Plaquemines, and across coastal Louisiana remain resilient for generations to come.”
CPRA currently has multiple projects in the Breton Sound, including:
- Completed:
- Mid-Breton Land Bridge Marsh Creation and Terracing
- Bayou Terre Aux Boeufs Ridge Restoration (Phase II)
- In construction:
- Breton Land Bridge (West) Marsh Creation
- East Delacroix Marsh Creation and Terracing
- Lake Lery Marsh Creation (Phase II)
- In the engineering and design phase:
- East Sediment Pipeline Corridor
- North Delacroix Marsh Creation and Terracing
- Phoenix Marsh Creation – East Increment
- Phoenix Marsh Creation – West Increment
- Reggio Marsh Creation and Hydrologic Restoration
- Yscloskey Marsh Creation
- South Delacroix Marsh Creation
- Wood Lake – East Lake Lery Restoration
“Breton Sound is a critical line of defense for our coastal communities, and the work happening here reflects years of commitment and collaboration at every level,” said Chairman Dove. “With more than a dozen projects underway or in development, we are building and restoring the land that protects communities like Delacroix while preserving the heritage and livelihoods that depend on a healthy coast. This progress is a testament to what we can accomplish when we stay focused on delivering real, lasting results for Louisiana.”
The recently completed Mid Breton Land Bridge Marsh Creation and Terracing project restored 373 acres of marsh in an area devastated by Hurricane Katrina. The Breton Landbridge Marsh Creation (West) and East Delacroix Marsh Creation and Terracing projects, which have recently been awarded construction contracts, will provide an additional combined 1,009 acres of marsh.
These projects, along with other efforts in the planning and design phases, form a substantial natural buffer for the historically important fishing community of Delacroix Island.
“The projects in and around Breton Sound reflect our commitment to delivering on the science and vision of Louisiana’s Coastal Master Plan, particularly in areas critical to the New Orleans region,” said Hare. “We are continuing to advance innovative approaches to restoration that address the complex challenges facing our coast. We appreciate the ongoing support from our parish and federal partners in funding and advancing these efforts, both in this region and across coastal Louisiana.”
CPRA’s federal partners, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), through CWPPRA, and the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council (RESTORE Council), have played a critical role in advancing restoration efforts across the Breton Sound area. Together with funding authorized by the state legislature, the completed and under-construction projects represent a combined investment of approximately $121.1 million.
“CWPPRA is one of the nation’s oldest and arguably most successful coastal restoration programs, having restored more than 100,000 acres of wetland since its inception in 1990,” said Col. Autin. “The program is unique in that it combines the capabilities, insight, and experience of five federal agencies with that of the state of Louisiana to deliver coastal restoration projects in areas that need them the most, areas like Breton Sound.”
Collectively, the Breton Sound projects that are completed and in construction are expected to restore more than 1,400 acres of marsh habitat and create nearly four miles of terraces, strengthening coastal resilience and supporting the long-term sustainability of Louisiana’s vital ecosystems. These projects will aim to combat land loss and enhance storm surge protection for the communities of St. Bernard and Plaquemines parishes.
Parish Presidents Louis Pomes and Keith Hinkley commended the ongoing efforts to protect their parishes.
“The projects underway in and around St. Bernard Parish will be vital to securing our future,” said St. Bernard Parish President Pomes. “We are grateful and proud of the relationship we have formed with CPRA and look forward to continuing our partnership to protect our parish, our people, and the neighboring communities with whom we have a shared future.”
“Our partnerships with CPRA and neighboring communities are important to the success of these projects,” said Plaquemines Parish President Hinkley. “Coastal restoration is not just about protecting our communities against storms. This work is also vital to protecting ecosystems and habitats for future generations of Louisianans to enjoy while ensuring our communities and industries thrive.”
Since its inception in 2005, CPRA has invested nearly $7.5 billion across 30 projects in St. Bernard Parish and over $11.8 billion across 40 projects in Plaquemines Parish.
