The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) told its board that dozens of coastal restoration and hurricane-protection projects are moving forward, with 32 projects under construction, 69 in engineering design and several expected to go to bid in the coming weeks.

CPRA staff provided the update during the board’s meeting in Thibodaux. The presentation covered a range of project types — marsh creation, barrier-island restoration, rock placement for shoreline protection, dredge-placement operations and recreational-improvement work such as expanding a boat launch from two to seven lanes. Staff also described recent progress working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on multiple federally supported segments.

“Increment 2 will probably move a little bit sooner in time,” CPRA staff said of a Northwest Little Lake marsh project, noting the team had provided comments to the state wildlife agency and expected to advertise construction bids within about six months. Staff said construction mobilization began recently on the Marsh Creation West contract and that Terrebonne Island restoration work and related rock placement is remobilizing with field placement expected to begin in November and continue into December.

Board members heard that a large project funded in part by the U.S. Department of the Treasury — described by staff as one of the largest grants the Treasury has made for coastal restoration — is at the point of addressing a few comments from federal reviewers and could be advertised for bids within about a week. Separately, staff said another monitoring project should be advertised within two weeks.

The presentation highlighted a Corps milestone on a major levee-elevation reach. CPRA staff credited coordination among the agency, the governor’s office and the Corps’ district for clearing an economic and environmental assessment review and said they expect a final review and publication of the assessment in early first-quarter of next year. Staff described upcoming construction in that reach, including levee elevation and boat-launch improvements scheduled for completion by year’s end.

Staff and contractors also described work on a variety of smaller and mid-sized projects: Chamber Island restoration (30% design submitted and under review), Northern Rockland barrier-island design expected to reach 30% design by year end, and a number of interior marsh placement and monitoring projects. The update included routine reports that some projects have experienced schedule impacts caused by storms and supply-chain issues.

Why it matters: CPRA’s updates reflect active use of state, federal and other funding sources to maintain coastal infrastructure, restore wetlands and support local recreation and fisheries. Several speakers said recent federal and state coordination has accelerated some critical milestones and that work will continue to be staged to match available funding.

Looking ahead, staff said they will continue to brief the board monthly on changes in schedule and procurement and to bring forward items for board approval when necessary.