The State of Louisiana, through its Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA), has reached an agreement with the Louisiana Trustee Implementation Group to terminate the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Project.
The decision follows CPRA’s determination, as the Lead Implementing Trustee for construction of the sediment diversion, that the project is no longer viable due to multiple factors, including the suspension of a federal permit by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and ongoing litigation. Based on CPRA’s determination, the Louisiana Trustee Implementation Group signed a resolution to reduce the project budget to match funding that has already been disbursed.
Originally planned as one of Louisiana’s largest coastal restoration efforts, the sediment diversion was designed to reconnect the Mississippi River to its wetlands, in order to rebuild thousands of acres of marsh in Plaquemines Parish. The project was approved for funding in 2023 through the Final Phase II Restoration Plan #3.2: Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion (Final RP 3.2) (PDF, 1123 pages.) However, CPRA determined that construction of the project as approved in the Final RP 3.2 is no longer viable at this time.
As part of the termination process, the authorized budget has been reduced from $2.26 billion to $618.52 million, reflecting funds already disbursed. The resolution allows CPRA to use funds for activities related to closing out the project and requires monthly updates to the Louisiana Trustee Implementattion Group. CPRA and NOAA will provide a final budget reconciliation once termination activities are complete. Unused project funds will be available for future Deepwater Horizon restoration activities in the Louisiana Restoration Area through the restoration planning process and approval by the Louisiana Trustee Implementation Group.
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