Office of Conservation

PROJECTS TO REPAIR DAMAGE TO ISLANDS BEGUN

Construction has begun on two projects designed to repair hurricane damage to Timbalier and East Islands, Isle Dernieres in Terrebonne Parish. The repairs are being funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the projects are being managed by the Department of Natural Resources' Coastal Restoration Division.

These projects will repair damage done to prior coastal protection work on Timbalier Island and East Island. The Timbalier Island and much of the East Island projects were destroyed by Hurricane Andrew in 1992, and serious beach erosion has occurred on both islands. The projects will complete the closure of breaches that resulted from the hurricane and restore about 15 acres of salt marsh on each of the islands.

DNR Secretary Jack Caldwell said work on the islands will consist of constructing sand dikes around the perimeter of the project areas and filling the interior with sand dredged from approved borrow areas in the bays behind the islands. About 250,000 cubic yards of sand will be required to complete both projects. Native vegetation will be planted in both restored areas.

On East Island, about 1,700 linear feet of beach front will be protected and the elevation of the island will be raised by four feet over a width of 300 feet. In addition, two rows of sand fencing will be placed along the beach front. Drawings and cost estimates were prepared by T. Baker Smith & Son, Inc. of Houma.

About 1,100 linear feet of beach front will be protected on Timbalier Island along with that island's elevation being raised about four feet over a width of 300 feet. Two rows of sand fencing will also be placed along the beach front of the island. Drawings and cost estimates were prepared by AACO Engineering, Inc. of Baton Rouge.

Barrier islands are the state's first line of defense against hurricanes and other storms as well as saltwater intrusion, and the everyday forces of Gulf waters. Louisiana has approximately 100 miles of barrier islands.

Construction and contract specifications were prepared by DNR while surveying was performed by T. Baker Smith & Son, Inc. The construction contractor is T.L. James & Co., Inc. of Kenner. Total cost for repairs to both islands is $1,184,832.

Revegetation of the restored areas of the islands will occur after final inspection of the repair work at a cost of $117,000. The restoration work is expected to be completed by May 20, 1996.

Editors: For more information, contact Arthur Long, DNR Office of Coastal Restoration and Management Project Manager at (504)873-2010, or Phyllis Darensbourg, Public Information Office at (504)342-8955.