General DNR News

Proposed water flow project at Bayou Lafourche discussed

The proposed Mississippi River Reintroduction Into Bayou Lafourche project sponsored by the state and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will be discussed at a series of public hearings to be held April 22-28, 2004.

Project managers from both agencies will present plans and alternatives on how the project would be built and will receive public input at the upcoming meetings. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Project Manager Bob Roberts said the Bayou Lafourche project will include dredging work, bank stabilization, and diverting water from the Mississippi River. The funding costs for planning, engineering and design is expected to total $9.7 million with a 50/50 cost share from Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act (Breaux Act) federal funding and the state.

The meeting schedule is as follows:

• April 22, Dept. of Transportation and Development Bldg., 5058 West Main St., Gray, La. at6:30 p.m.
• April 26, Ascension Catholic High School Gym, 311 St. Vincent St., Donaldsonville, La. at7 p.m.
• April 27, Larose Civic Center, 307 East 5th St., Larose, LA. at 6:30 p.m.
• April 28, Napoleonville Community Center, 4770 Hwy. 1, Napoleonville, La. at 1 p.m.
• April 28, Thibodaux Civic Center, 310 North Canal Blvd., Thibodaux, La. at 6:30 p.m.

Editors: For more information, contact DNR Project Manger Bob Roberts at 225-342-9423.