Posted on February 25, 2026
Baton Rouge, LA – The Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) recently completed restoration of the Terrebonne Houma Navigation Canal (HNC) Bird Island, a major nesting area for a variety of colonial waterbird species, such as the Brown Pelican, Louisiana’s state bird.
“The Terrebonne HNC restoration project will create a stronger barrier island and ultimately lead to a safer nesting ground for our waterbirds. Pairing coastal restoration with help for Louisiana’s waterbird species is a win-win,” said Gov. Jeff Landry. “This is an exciting project for Terrebonne Parish, and I am grateful to Chairman Dove, Director Hare, and the entire CPRA team for their efforts to finally bring this plan to completion.”
Construction commenced in June 2024, with a pause during the nesting season from February 2025 to September 2025. Construction was completed in January 2026, and a mixture of native grass seed was planted earlier this month, which once established will help reduce sand loss from wind erosion and provide food for nesting birds. After bird nesting season concludes this fall, vegetative plantings will be placed on the island to facilitate quicker regrowth of native plant species desired by nesting birds in spring of next year.
HNC Bird Island is a part of the Terrebonne Basin Barrier Islands, which are the first line of defense, safeguarding Louisiana’s invaluable inland marshes from the forces of the Gulf of America. Prior to construction, the island was approximately 27.6 acres, of which less than 10 acres were suitable for nesting habitat. Construction efforts expanded the island to 34.6 acres of suitable shrub nesting, ground nesting, and marsh habitat. Dredged sediment was placed on the island from a borrow area in Cat Island Pass, approximately 10 miles south of HNC Bird Island and two miles southwest of West Timbalier Island in Terrebonne Parish.
“The completion of the Terrebonne HNC Bird Island restoration project strengthens both wildlife habitat and our coastal defenses,” said CPRA Board Chairman Gordon “Gordy” Dove. “This Island is an important part of our coastal landscape, and this project expands critical nesting grounds for Louisiana’s colonial waterbirds, including the Brown Pelican, Louisiana’s state bird, while reinforcing one of the barrier islands that protect our inland marshes, homes, and livelihoods.”
Through these efforts, elevations on the island were raised by 4.3 to 5.5 feet, which greatly improves future egg nesting success and fledgling survival across the entire island. Restoration directly supports one of Louisiana’s 10 remaining historic Brown Pelican colonies. A total of 815 Brown Pelican nests and 1,443 shrub-nesting bird nests were documented in 2024, and that number is expected to rise in future years.
The HNC Bird Island Restoration effort was funded through the Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) dollars from two different sources: $30.04 million from the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill settlement, administered by the Louisiana Trustee Implementation Group (LA TIG), and an additional $1.65 million from the NRDA 2006 Citgo Calcasieu River Oil Spill settlement. CPRA completed the project at an estimated total cost of $40.05 million.
“By increasing the island’s size and elevation, we’ve improved long-term nesting success and strengthened its resilience for the future,” said CPRA Executive Director Michael Hare. “This investment ensures that the island will continue to serve as a safe nesting habitat and a strong line of defense for years to come. We’re proud to use NRDA settlement funding to restore natural resources and deliver lasting benefits to the people of Louisiana.”
Engineering and design for the project was provided All South Consulting Engineers, LLC. Construction was completed by Weeks Marine, Inc.
