Posted on August 25, 2025
Morgan City, La. – Today, Gordon “Gordy” Dove, Chairman of the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA), 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.
“This agreement marks a major step forward in restoring areas that have suffered from erosion, saltwater intrusion, and storm damage tied to the MRGO for far too long,” said Dove. “We are grateful for our strong partnership with the Corps and the federal commitment to fully fund this work.”
Congress first authorized the MRGO Ecosystem Restoration Project in the Water Resources Development Act of 2007, which directed USACE to restore habitat and repair ecological damage. Since then, USACE has published the MRGO Ecosystem Restoration Feasibility Report, which identifies Tier 1 restoration features.
The report highlights Tier 1 restoration features, including approximately 41 miles of shoreline protection, 14 miles of foreshore protection and repairs, large-scale marsh restoration and nourishment, repairs to about two miles of existing retention dikes, and the development of new recreation facilities.
“We look forward to closely working with CPRA in delivering a project that will restore more than 57,000 acres of wetland and coastal habitat,” said Col. Autin. “Today’s agreement positions us to begin design of the initial project features as soon as funding becomes available.”
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.
“Today’s signing marks a long-awaited step forward,” said CPRA Executive Director Michael Hare. “The communities impacted by the MRGO have endured decades of damage. Now it’s time to get to work protecting our coast and restoring vital ecosystems.”
CPRA has allocated funding for data collection to support the start of engineering and design work on Tier 1 priority projects, while USACE works to secure federal funding for construction.
