Posted on December 2, 2025
SHELL BEACH, La. – Today, the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the completion of the Lake Borgne Marsh Creation Project in St. Bernard Parish.
Construction on the project near Shell Beach began 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.
“For decades, our southeastern coast has battled erosion and land loss,” said Gov. Jeff Landry. “The completion of the Lake Borgne project marks a major victory in our effort to protect Louisiana’s coast while safeguarding the people and industries that rely on it. I’m grateful to CPRA for their exceptional work, and I’m confident even greater achievements lie ahead.”
Located southeast of Lake Pontchartrain, separated by The Rigolets and the stretches of I-10 and Highway 90 that connect New Orleans and St. Tammany Parish, Lake Borgne is a critical first line of defense from hurricanes and other storms in the Gulf of Mexico that threaten Louisiana.
Completion of the project reinforces the nearby Hurricane and Storm Damage Risk Reduction System (HSDRRS) around the Greater New Orleans area, providing an added layer of defense and protection.
“The Lake Borgne project strengthens the entire region surrounding New Orleans,” said CPRA Chairman Gordon “Gordy” Dove. “It represents CPRA’s integrated approach to marsh creation and restoration, helping build stronger protections for future generations while rebuilding and preserving the ecosystems our wildlife depend on.”
Over the last 50 years, saltwater intrusion, subsidence, and major storms have turned the previously thriving marshland in and around Lake Borgne into open water.
“Words could never fully express our gratitude for the hard work of the team at CPRA and our partners at the federal level,” said St. Bernard Parish President Louis Pomes. “The completion of this project is a major step in the right direction for St. Bernard Parish as we continue improving our landscape and safeguarding the communities we call home.”
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.
“The Lake Borgne project marks one of our largest achievements to date under the Louisiana Coastal Master Plan,” said CPRA Executive Director Michael Hare. “Incorporating the Bayou La Loutre section helped us save time and money, further enhancing the impact of the project. With the completion of this project, we have strengthened our defenses and advanced long-term sustainability for the region.”
The Lake Borgne Marsh Creation project was primarily funded through Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) dollars from the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill settlement, administered by the Louisiana Trustee Implementation Group (LA TIG). The added Bayou La Loutre component of the project was partially funded through the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act (CWPPRA) using Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) funds. CPRA completed the project at an estimated total cost of $110 million, which is $5 million below the original projections.
“This project is a major accomplishment in the restoration of vital ecosystems following years of erosion, storm damage, and impacts from the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill,” said Erin Plitsch, Restoration Delivery Manager for the Department of the Interior’s Gulf Restoration Office.
“Through the collaborative work of the Louisiana Trustee Implementation Group and local stakeholders, the completion of this project will strengthen this area for both wildlife and communities that rely on a healthy, resilient ecosystem.”
Covington-based Duplantis Design Group (DDG) led engineering for the project. The competitively bid construction contract was awarded to Mike Hooks, LLC, a family-owned business headquartered in West Lake, Louisiana.
The economic development agency Greater New Orleans, Inc., reported that the project supported 491 direct jobs, generating a direct economic impact of $32.23 million.
