The Barataria Basin continues to experience some of the highest rates of land loss in the world, driven by subsidence, hurricanes, sea level rise, and historical impacts, such as the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The Barataria Landbridge, a vital stretch of wetlands that separates upper freshwater areas from the lower saline marshes, plays a crucial role in protecting communities in Plaquemines, Jefferson, Lafourche, St. Charles, and St. John Parishes from storm surge and saltwater intrusion. Over time, this natural buffer has eroded, but ongoing restoration efforts are rebuilding and strengthening the landscape.

The Barataria Landbridge and Marsh Creation effort is a coordinated strategy that combines large-scale marsh creation, ridge restoration, and shoreline protection to enhance ecosystem resilience and restore critical habitat. These projects use dredged sediment from the Mississippi River and nearby borrow sources to create and nourish marshes, helping reestablish the basin’s natural gradient and providing vital nursery habitat for fish and wildlife.

Recent milestones include the completion of the Upper Barataria Marsh Creation Project, which restored approximately 1,200 acres of wetland habitat, and continued progress on projects such as Bayou Grand Cheniere Marsh Creation. Together, these efforts represent significant progress toward reestablishing one of the most critical coastal barriers in the basin.

As Louisiana strengthens its focus on implementing these features, CPRA and its partners are advancing design and construction of additional phases to further restore and protect the Barataria Basin. This work aligns with the 2023 Coastal Master Plan’s focus on sustaining the basin’s ecological functions, reducing storm surge risk, and improving resilience for nearby communities. The Barataria Landbridge and Marsh Creation initiative remains a cornerstone of Louisiana’s coastal restoration strategy, protecting people, wildlife, and the working coast.