Coastal Protection and
Restoration Authority

BATON ROUGE, La. – The Deepwater Horizon Louisiana Trustee Implementation Group has approved a final restoration plan for two major coastal restoration projects: the East Orleans Landbridge Restoration Project and the Raccoon Island Restoration Project.

The Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA), as the lead Trustee for the State of Louisiana, worked alongside its state and federal partners to advance the plan, which represents an estimated $265.7 million investment in Louisiana’s coast.

The final plan will restore up to 1,700 acres of wetlands, coastal and nearshore habitats impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The approval advances efforts to restore critical natural resources, strengthen coastal ecosystems and support the long-term sustainability of Louisiana’s coast.

“Louisiana’s coast is essential to our communities, our economy and our way of life, and restoring these critical habitats is an investment in our state’s future,” said CPRA Chairman Gordon “Gordy” Dove. “The East Orleans Landbridge and Raccoon Island projects will help rebuild important wetlands and barrier island habitat that support our fisheries, wildlife and coastal communities. We appreciate the continued commitment of our state and federal partners to putting restoration dollars to work where they can make a meaningful difference for Louisiana.”

The approved plan selects specific construction alternatives for both projects, moving them forward toward implementation.

The East Orleans Landbridge Restoration Project, with an estimated cost of $109.4 million, will create and restore marsh habitat along the landbridge separating Lake Pontchartrain from Lake Borgne and the Gulf. The selected alternative will restore up to 1,320 acres of wetland habitat and provide approximately 14,867 linear feet of shoreline protection, helping sustain the ecological functions of this important coastal landscape.

The Raccoon Island Restoration Project, with an estimated cost of $156.3 million, will restore up to 410 acres of barrier island habitat by placing sediment to create and enhance beaches, dunes, and marshes. The selected design also includes maintaining existing Gulfside breakwaters, constructing four bayside breakwaters, and building nine living shoreline structures. These improvements will help protect the island and provide important habitat for birds, fish, and shellfish.

“Approval of this final restoration plan is an important step toward delivering tangible benefits to Louisiana’s coastal environment,” said CPRA Executive Director Michael Hare. “These projects address different but complementary restoration needs, from rebuilding marsh and strengthening shoreline protection to restoring barrier island habitat. Through continued coordination with our federal partners, we can advance science-based restoration projects that help recover natural resources injured by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and improve the resilience of Louisiana’s coast.”

The final plan, known as Phase 2 Restoration Plan/Environmental Assessment #8.1, follows a public review period conducted in May and June 2026. The Louisiana Trustee Implementation Group reviewed public comments and incorporated appropriate revisions before approving the final plan.

With approval secured, the selected projects can move forward toward implementation. Funding will come from the Deepwater Horizon restoration allocation for wetlands, coastal, and nearshore habitats.

CPRA remains committed to advancing comprehensive coastal restoration and protection efforts in coordination with state and federal partners to preserve Louisiana’s coastal resources for future generations.

###

For more information:

Visit the Gulf Spill Restoration website to review the final restoration plan and project details.