Project Location
This project is located 18 miles southwest of Cocodrie in Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana. Whiskey island is surrounded by Coupe Colin to the west, Whiskey Pass to the east, Lake Pelto, Caillou Boca, and Caillou Bay to the north, and the Gulf of Mexico to the south.
Project Description
This project involves the creation of 170 acres of marsh habitat and 917 acres of dune and beach habitat on Whiskey Island in Terrebonne Parish using material dredged from Ship Shoal to restore the island's geomorphologic form and ecologic function.
Issue Addressed
Louisiana's barrier islands, especially the islands located in the Barataria Hydrologic Basin, were heavily impacted by the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. Numerous dead and oiled brown pelicans, terns, skimmers, and gulls were collected during and following the spill. The ecological resources and services that would be gained by this restoration are anticipated to help compensate the public for spill-related injuries and losses to beach/dune and back barrier marsh in Louisiana, as well as for injuries to affected bird populations.
Project Goals
The project includes restoring the barrier shoreline along the entire length of Whiskey Island through beach and dune fill placement, utilizing an offshore sand source in Ship Shoal. It also entails restoring the marsh platform along the western half of the island. The project is nearly five miles in length and will create approximately 900 acres of barrier island and marsh habitat. This will be accomplished by hydraulically dredging an estimated 10.4 million cubic yards of barrier island fill material. Restoration of the island will provide a buffer to help reduce the full force and effects of wave action, saltwater intrusion, storm surge and tidal currents on associated estuaries and wetlands. It will also provide wetland habitat for a diverse number of plant and animal species.
Verify Date
1/15/2020