Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco today approved three water quality/water access projects with funding through the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources Atchafalaya Basin Program (ABP). A fourth project approved by the Governor will involve funding from St. Martin Parish’s share of the Coastal Impact Assistance Program (CIAP).
Two of the projects involve dredging waterways in the Atchafalaya Basin, while the third project is to select a design consultant to prepare plans and specifications for construction of this project.
“We have made great progress in improving water quality across Louisiana and the Atchafalaya Basin Project now takes a great leap forward,” Governor Blanco said. “I appreciate Department of Natural Resources Secretary Scott Angelle’s assistance in assembling a ‘technical committee’ to review and make recommendations on water management projects. These critical steps will not only improve water quality in the Basin, but will also improve access for boaters and fishermen as we eliminate problems caused by sedimentation.”
Improving water quality remains a key objective for Gov. Blanco, who set aggressive goals for the state through the Clean Waters Program. The Governor also oversaw an aggressive program to reduce public exposure to the risk of mercury and reduce health risks. Currently, 310 water bodies are considered polluted for fish and wildlife and the Department of Environmental Quality is working to make 77 of them clean enough to support healthy fish and wildlife populations.
American Pass:
This channel is located in Lower St. Martin Parish and has a serious siltation problem causing hazards for the boating public. The project will involve hydraulic dredging of the old channel to recreate the forty (40) bottom width and will include sediment traps to catch any new sediment from the river. The estimated project cost is $325,000.
Henderson Access Channels:
This project will involve dredging several access channels in Henderson that run from boat launches at the western guide levee into the main channel that will be excavated by the Corps of Engineers. It will allow improved access from the landings during periods of low water, and will also provide better opportunities for lowering the lake levels in order to control the hydrilla plant, when conditions warrant. The estimated project cost is $600,000. This project will commence once the Corps of Engineers begins dredging the main channel.
Bayou Pigeon:
This project entails selecting a design consultant to prepare final plans and specifications for the Bayou Pigeon dredging project. The bayou is located in the Atchafalaya Basin in Iberville and Iberia parishes. Once the plans and specifications are completed this project can move forward to construction.
Beau Bayou (CIAP project):
This project was initially contemplated as an Atchafalaya Basin Program project. Preliminary design work was completed with Atchafalaya Basin funds in 2004. The Beau Bayou project will now be funded with federal revenues through the CIAP program allotted to St. Martin Parish. A detailed study of the area will be performed and plans and specifications will be prepared for dredging to eliminate poor water conditions in the area. Once the plans are completed, the project can move forward to construction. The estimated cost of this project will be $4,000,000, funded at full federal expense pending CIAP’s final approval.