Posted on May 11, 2026
By Bun Choum and Derek Sibley
DELACROIX, La. — State, federal and local officials gathered Friday in Breton Sound to showcase momentum on a series of coastal restoration projects designed to rebuild marshland and strengthen storm protection in southeast Louisiana.
The Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority said the work will help protect communities in Plaquemines and St. Bernard parishes while restoring vital wetlands.
Leaders Tour Restoration Area
Among those visiting the area were:
- CPRA Chairman Gordon “Gordy” Dove
- CPRA Executive Director Michael Hare
- St. Bernard Parish President Louis Pomes
- Plaquemines Parish President Keith Hinkley
- Col. Scotty Autin, commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers New Orleans District
Autin represented the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act (CWPPRA) program.
Why Breton Sound Matters
Gov. Jeff Landry called Louisiana’s coast essential to the state’s communities, economy and way of life.
“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,” Landry said.
Dove described Breton Sound as a critical line of defense for coastal communities.
“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,” Dove said.
Projects Already Completed
CPRA said completed projects include:
- Mid-Breton Land Bridge Marsh Creation and Terracing
- Bayou Terre Aux Boeufs Ridge Restoration Phase II
The recently completed Mid-Breton Land Bridge project restored 373 acres of marsh in an area heavily damaged by Hurricane Katrina.
Projects Under Construction
Projects now moving forward include:
- Breton Land Bridge West Marsh Creation
- East Delacroix Marsh Creation and Terracing
- Lake Lery Marsh Creation Phase II
The Breton Land Bridge West and East Delacroix projects have recently been awarded construction contracts and are expected to create 1,009 additional acres of marsh.
Projects in Engineering and Design
Several more projects are in planning stages, including:
- 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
Big Investment, Long-Term Protection
According to CPRA, completed and ongoing construction projects in Breton Sound represent about $121.1 million in investment.
In total, completed and active projects are expected to:
- Restore more than 1,400 acres of marsh habitat
- Create nearly four miles of terraces
- Slow land loss
- Improve storm surge protection
- Strengthening local ecosystems
Officials said the work will help create a natural buffer for Delacroix Island, a historic fishing community.
Federal Support Driving Progress
CPRA credited several federal partners with helping move the projects forward, including:
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- CWPPRA
- Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council
Autin noted that CWPPRA has restored more than 100,000 acres of wetlands since 1990.
“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,” Autin said.
Local Leaders Praise the Effort
St. Bernard Parish President Louis Pomes said the partnership with CPRA will help protect the parish and nearby communities.
Plaquemines Parish President Keith Hinkley said the restoration work is critical not only for communities, but also for ecosystems, habitats and local industries.
The Bigger Picture
Since 2005, CPRA said it has invested:
- Nearly $7.5 billion across 30 projects in St. Bernard Parish
- More than $11.8 billion across 40 projects in Plaquemines Parish
Hare said the Breton Sound work supports Louisiana’s Coastal Master Plan, especially in areas important to the New Orleans region.
