[StBernard] State Invests $19 Million in Fisheries Infrastructure

[Westley Annis]

State Invests $19 Million in Fisheries Infrastructure Across South Louisiana

Congressman Melancon Addresses Continuing Need for Equity

BATON ROUGE, La. (March 19, 2008) - The state will invest $19 million in 15 infrastructure improvement projects to repair the heavily damaged fisheries industry across South Louisiana, the Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA) and the Office of Community Development (OCD) Disaster Recovery Unit announced today.

"This is the first real substantial investment that has gone directly to rebuild the vital fisheries infrastructure that was devastated by the storms of 2005," said LRA Executive Director Paul Rainwater. "One of Louisiana's most important rural economic sectors is the multi-billion dollar commercial and recreational fishing industry; it's not just a hobby to these people but a way of life."

It is estimated that Hurricanes Katrina and Rita destroyed more than $528 million in fisheries infrastructure in Louisiana's fishing communities with millions more in losses to supporting industries. In an effort to address some of those losses, the LRA and OCD developed a $19 million Fisheries Infrastructure program. The program uses Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to provide grants for building projects that improve the viability and long-term sustainability of the commercial and recreational fisheries of coastal Louisiana.

"Making a living from the sea has been part of south Louisiana's culture for centuries," Representative Charlie Melancon (D-LA) said. "The devastation caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita threatened that way of life, but today we are making a firm commitment to the future of commercial and recreational fishing in our coastal communities. By rebuilding what was lost, we are not just supporting a major industry that provides jobs to thousands of people in our state; we are also preserving an integral part of our Cajun heritage for future generations of south Louisianians."

The LRA and OCD conducted four informational sessions across coastal Louisiana to walk potential participants through program requirements. Proposals for projects were solicited in October 2007; 59 proposals requesting nearly $114 million were submitted to the LRA.

"While this program focuses on an often ignored recovery sector, there still remains a great need for more resources to help the communities that rely heavily on fisheries for their livelihood," said LRA Board Member David Richard. "Boats and nets are of no use without the docks, wharfs, marinas and other fisheries infrastructure that are essential to this industry."

Last month experts from around the country traveled to Louisiana to discuss, review and weigh the merits of each proposal. These experts recommended projects to a state team that made the final allocation of awards for proposals in the eastern and western areas of the coast. Proposals were evaluated to determine whether they: 

*	Enhanced and ensured continued access to the state's coastal waters for commercial and recreational fishing, eco-tourism, and development of "working waterfronts;" 
*	Created/maintained employment in the commercial and recreational fishing industry; 
*	Preserved the commercial and recreational fishing culture of coastal Louisiana; 
*	Improved the economic efficiency of the fishing industry; and 
*	Created storm harbors that provide vessels with temporary refuge during future storm events. 

Funding allocations and priorities of projects receiving provisional grants are as follows:

Cameron Square Waterfront Development - $3,115,000

*	Development of waterfront dock and seafood processing infrastructure


Delcambre Fisheries Infrastructure Project - $2,200,000


*	Improvements to the Delcambre Waterfront

Bucktown Harbor - Fisheries and Recreational Improvements - $2,100,000 

*	Upgrades to access infrastructure, boat slips, and fishing piers

Grand Isle-Multipurpose fishing facilities - $2,000,000 

*	Construction and improvement of multi-purpose fishing access facility on the Bay side of the island

Venice Shipyard - $ 1,441,961 

*	Construction/improvement of shipyard facilities

Morgan City-Ice and cold storage and wharf repairs - $1,300,000 

*	Ice and cold storage facilities and docking and loading facility improvements 


Oyster Processing Facility in Plaquemines Parish - $1,180,000 

*	Development of a large volume, value-added oyster processing plant that will provide the means to create new, innovative consumer friendly oyster products targeted to the national seafood market

Ice Houses, Plaquemines Parish -$1,100,000 

*	Purchase & installation of one 60-ton ice house and needed auxiliary equipment, along with needed improvements


LA Shrimp & Seafood Co, Empire Processing Plant - $1,000,000 

*	Multifaceted seafood processing facility (beginning with shrimp)

Jesse Fontenot Boat Launch - $746,750 

*	Implement repairs/improvements which include protective peninsulas which will provide safe harbor from wave action from the Atchafalaya River during future hurricanes

Operation Boat Launches - $730,000 

*	Rehabilitate and/or further improve boat landings in Terrebonne Parish

The Raw Oyster Factory - $500,000 

*	Build and equip an oyster processing facility 

New Orleans City Park Lagoon Fishing Piers along Marconi Dr. & Wisner Blvd -$375,000 

*	Construct fishing pier with adjacent parking lot attached by walkways to the fishing piers within City Park

Rosethorne Park Improvements - $300,000 

*	Improve infrastructure/access at existing park

Houma Marina - Safe Harbor Mooring & Pedestrian Access - $296,600 

*	Install safe harbor mooring piles
*	Dredge Bayou Terrebonne
*	Install a pedestrian fishing pier along the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway

** Funding listed above are conditional awards, and grantees must comply with all CDBG regulations in order to receive funding. 


Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated South Louisiana, claiming 1,464 lives, destroying more than 200,000 homes and 18,000 businesses. The Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA) is the planning and coordinating body that was created in the aftermath of these storms to lead one of the most extensive rebuilding efforts in the world. The LRA is a 33-member body which is coordinating across jurisdictions, supporting community recovery and resurgence, ensuring integrity and effectiveness, and planning for the recovery and rebuilding of Louisiana.

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