For Immediate Release – January 14, 2014

DENR Update: 1/15/2014

MEDIA ADVISORY

            The False River Watershed Council (FRWC) will host a “Project Open House” on Jan. 22 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Cottonport Center on Main Street in downtown New Roads (across from the Pointe Coupee Parish Court House) to give local residents, business owners and area fishermen an opportunity to learn about the council’s progress to restore and enhance False River and its surrounding watershed and habitat.

            FRWC is composed of state and local government agencies and community leaders who are overseeing a comprehensive restoration plan for False River that includes improving the lake’s water quality and habitat. 

State Rep. Major Thibaut and State Sen. Rick Ward have championed support for the project in the State Legislature, obtaining funding and creating the False River Watershed Council over the past two legislative sessions.

“We want to invite everyone to come see the progress that has been made to improve False River and the timeline we have in place for our restoration efforts,” said State Rep. Thibaut.  

The open house is meant to provide an opportunity for citizens to make comments and give feedback to help guide FRWC into the future as well as bring awareness to the work already completed.

“Project Open House” will cover a variety of areas, including managing sediment infiltration from area canals, improving aquatic habitat and fisheries, the creation of spawning beds, monitoring water quality, developing best management practices, and establishing a funding donation program through the Baton Rouge Area Foundation for long-term maintenance of the ox-bow lake. 

State officials assisting with the effort, as well as representatives from the engineering firm hired to implement FRWC’s restoration plan, will be on hand to meet with the public.

For more information about FRWC’s Project Open House, contact State Rep. Thibaut’s office at 225-638-3811 or thibautm@legis.la.gov.  More information about the False River restoration effort can be found at FalseRiverRestoration@dnr.la.gov