by Pam Radtke Russell, ENR, 05.26.2010

On May 24, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (R) said the state had directed a dredge, being operated by Weeks Marine Inc., Cranford, N.J., to begin constructing a sand berm at East Grand Terre Island as called for in the state’s barrier-island plan. Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser said he would seek $1 million from his council on May 26 to begin building its own sand ridges along the coast of Plaquemines Parish.

“As long as we can keep it on the sand, we can clean it up,” says Chris Macaluso, public information officer for the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) of Louisiana.

The $350-million plan, filed with the Corps on May 11, calls for extending the state’s barrier islands with 6-ft-high sand berms for about 90 miles. The plan is a modification of the state’s long-term plans to rebuild the state’s barrier islands to 20 ft above sea level...........read more