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GRANTS FOR CPRA APPLIED RESEARCH PROGRAM ANNOUNCED

July 12, 2013
Contact: coastal@la.gov

The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) has chosen to fund two of the proposals submitted for the spring 2013 CPRA Applied Research Program. The CPRA Applied Research Program was established in order to fund applied research focused on assisting CPRA in achieving the objectives of Louisiana’s Comprehensive Master Plan for a Sustainable Coast. The program is managed by The Water Institute of the Gulf for the CPRA.

The Water Institute received 25 proposals requesting over $2.3 million combined, ranging in a wide variety of research specialties and core competencies. With only $250,000 available for funding proposals this year, it was a highly competitive process which attracted a number of qualified submissions.

The funded research projects for the spring 2013 solicitation are as follows:

Optimizing the Design of Shoreline Protection to Reduce Marsh Edge Erosion for Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration

Qin Jim Chen, Louisiana State University – Principal Investigator

The long-term goal of this proposed study is to improve the planning, design and implementation of the Coastal Master Plan shoreline protection projects through applied research that integrates field observations, computer modeling and coastal engineering knowledge. As one of the proposal reviewers noted, “This is a strong and relevant research proposal, with results that will likely benefit many aspects of Master Plan project implementation.”

Research and GIS Development of the Base of the Holocene in the Louisiana Coastal Plain and Adjacent Continental Shelf

Dr. Paul V. Heinrich, Louisiana Geological Survey – Principal Investigator

Building off of a 2010 project developed for CPRA, the Louisiana Geological Survey (LGS) of Louisiana State University will create a larger scale, more detailed GIS dataset of coastal geology including the base of the Holocene area (previously unmapped). LGS will investigate and compile the Holocene geology of the study area and prepare an intermediate-scale working GIS of the base of the Holocene suitable for use by coastal scientists for research, planning and assessment of coastal restoration and protection studies and projects. “This research and GIS development will significantly improve knowledge in the coastal zone of Louisiana of the depth to the Holocene-Pleistocene stratigraphic boundary which is a primary control on subsidence rates and siting foundation pilings,” said one of the proposal reviewers. “This is well overdue.”

We would like to thank everyone who submitted proposals for the CPRA Applied Research Program and interested parties are encouraged to check back soon (www.thewaterinstitute.org/appliedresearch) for information regarding future solicitations. Questions may be emailed to appliedresearch@thewaterinstitute.org.

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