Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act (CWPPRA)

09/04/2026

CPRA has completed the dredging and maintenance work on six crevasses as part of the Delta Wide Crevasses Project.

For centuries, the Mississippi River has built Louisiana's delta by carrying sediment into open water and creating new land. The Delta Wide Crevasses Project works with that natural process to restore and sustain coastal wetlands.

Crevasses are openings in natural banks that allow freshwater and sediment to flow into open water areas. As sediment is deposited, new land and marsh can form.

Funded by Coastal Wetlands Planning Protection and Restoration Act (CWPPRA), this project began in 1999. Using dredges and excavators, crews create and maintain crevasses that allow the Mississippi River to deliver sediment rich freshwater into the delta. Periodic maintenance keeps these pathways open allowing sediment and freshwater to continue to reach surrounding wetlands.

Since the project began, multiple phases have created new crevasses and maintained existing ones. A 2023 assessment found that the project had gained 795 acres of land over 15 years. The assessment also identified this method as one of the most cost-effective ways to build land.

The Delta Wide Crevasses Project is a great example of how coastal restoration can work with natural processes, using the river itself to help build and sustain the wetlands that make up our coast.

08/18/2026

🚧 Work is getting underway on the East Delacroix Marsh Creation and Terracing Project. 🏗

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita caused significant wetland loss in the area, leaving Delacroix more exposed to flooding from the east. This project will restore those lost wetlands while helping provide additional protection for the community.

Construction is beginning with approximately 15,000 linear feet of terraces, and 4,260 linear feet of a sediment retention terrace that will help reduce wave action, protect the surrounding marsh, and help shield residents from storm surge.

Once the terraces are complete, containment dikes will be built, and sediment dredged from Lake Lery will be used to rebuild nearly 400 acres of wetland, creating valuable habitat for fish and wildlife.

The East Delacroix Marsh Creation and Terracing Project is one of several projects taking place across Breton Sound, marking another step forward in CPRA's effort to restore Louisiana's coast and protect the communities and people who call it home.

08/18/2026

06/16/2026

CWPPRA workgroups are currently performing site assessments for each of the ten candidate projects for PPL36! This evaluation process includes field trips to all project sites to collect environmental (Wetland Value Assessments) and preliminary design data. As is the case throughout the CWPPRA program, the candidate evaluation process is highly collaborative and values the expertise of landowners, local governments, project managers from all CWPPRA agencies, and members of the CWPPRA Academic Advisory Group.

Last week, CWPPRA workgroup members visited the site of the proposed Hog Bayou Stabilization and Marsh Creation project in the Mermentau Basin in Cameron Parish. Historically, wetland loss in the Hog Bayou watershed has resulted from storm surge, failed agricultural pump offs, limited freshwater input and increased water and salinity from the Gulf via Hog Bayou. Marshes near the Beach Prong area remained stable until Hurricane Barry (2019). Since then, marshes to the north of Hog Bayou have deteriorated due to greater inundation and salinity stress. The goals of this candidate project are to stabilize the northern bank along the east branch of Hog Bayou and to restore marsh which will reinforce the enhanced bank line. The marsh creation area will restore and enhance critical habitat for wildlife and fisheries and will indirectly support the LDWF-managed Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge.

This field trip was made possible with support from the landowner representative of Miller Five on the M.O. Miller, M.D. Estate, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, NRCS’ Contractor Marshland Equipment Rental, and the CWPPRA Academic Advisory Group.

05/28/2026

Happy Whooping Crane Day! Today, we celebrate the resilience of the endangered whooping crane and the people working to protect wetland ecosystems in Coastal Louisiana. Healthy wetlands don’t just support wildlife — they protect communities, improve water quality, and preserve Louisiana’s natural heritage for generations to come.
Learn more about the reintroduction of whooping cranes in Louisiana at https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/page/whooping-crane.

05/15/2026

Did you know that nearly half of all federally listed endangered species rely on wetlands for food, shelter, and nursery habitat? By restoring and safeguarding wetlands, we’re strengthening nature’s ability to support biodiversity and vulnerable populations. This Endangered Species Day, let’s commit to supporting healthy wetlands in the fight to protect endangered species.

05/08/2026

Successful restoration relies on strong partnerships, and we have some of the best partners out there! Grateful for the dedication of all the people that make this work possible.

05/07/2026

On May 6th, the CWPPRA Task Force approved ten candidate projects for further evaluation in CWPPRA's 36th Priority Project List! Over the summer, CWPPRA workgroups will conduct field investigations to evaluate project areas, identify project feature locations, determine habitat conditions, and collect Wetland Value Assessment data for each candidate project.

PPL 36 project selection will occur at the December 2026 Technical Committee meeting and January 2027 Task Force Meeting. The public is welcome to submit comments on individual projects throughout the process.

05/07/2026