State awards $41 million for 10 coastal resilience projects
The state announced Tuesday (Sept. 11) how it will divide $41 million among 10 flood resilience and community relocation projects on the Louisiana coast.
The federal funds, which come from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's National Disaster Resilience Competition, will be spent in six parishes considered especially vulnerable to flooding, storms, rising sea levels and coastal erosion.
The state narrowed the number of project proposals down to 10 in April. This week, they unveiled how much money each project would receive.
Lafourche Parish will receive the largest share. Of the parish's $10.5 million, about $7 million will be spent developing a prototype housing development that incorporates flood- and wind-resistant structures and green spaces that manage stormwater. Lafourche will also receive $3.5 million for an "emerging industry business incubator" aimed at diversifying the parish's workforce and economy. The incubator will include a mentorship program and shared work space.
Plaquemines Parish will get more than $6.6 million. A $4.77 million "safe harbor" will be built in Empire to shelter boats during storms. Plaquemine's remaining $1.87 million will go toward mental health and substance abuse recovery programs.
St. John the Baptist Parish was allotted $6 million to reduce stormwater runoff and flooding on two street sections in LaPlace. A total of 1.6 miles on Airline Highway and Main Street will be upgraded with permeable parking, trees, native plants and water retention areas.
Terrebonne Parish will receive $6.45 million for two projects. About $3.6 million will go toward the creation of more than 300 acres of terraces and marsh in the Morganza to the Gulf risk reduction system. The project's goal is to reduce the impact of storm surges. More than $2.8 million will help relocate homeowners still living outside of the Morganza to the Gulf system.
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Much of Jefferson Parish's $6 million share of the funding will go toward the creation of a "resilience district" in Gretna. The district's two main components are Gretna City Park and the 25th Street Canal - both of which will receive stormwater drainage and storage improvements and various recreational amenities, including paths, pavilions, signs and seating. The parish's remaining $475,000 will go toward a planned wetland education center in Jean Lafitte.
St. Tammany Parish will receive $5.3 million for drainage improvements at the Safe Haven behavioral health campus in Mandeville. The improvements will divert stormwater into woodlands and a bayou, protecting the campus and surrounding areas from flooding.
The projects were developed through Louisiana's Strategic Adaptations for Future Improvements (LA SAFE) program. More than 3,000 people in the six parishes participated in the process, according to LA SAFE.
Gov. John Bel Edwards praised the projects as "cutting-edge" responses to the state's "increasing vulnerability to weather events and coastal erosion."
"In an era of escalating risks, now is the time to help our communities develop future sustainability and resilience," he said in a statement.
Tristan Baurick covers Louisiana's coastal environment for NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune. Email: tbaurick@nola.com * Twitter: @tristanbaurick * Facebook: Tristan Baurick and Louisiana Coastal Watch.
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