These funds for the barataria-terrebonne national estuary program (btnep) support implementation of the comprehensive conservation and management plan (ccmp) and accompanying strategic plan to improve…

This $909,800 Project Grant award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 6 supports implementation of the Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP) and Strategic Plan for the Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program (BTNEP). The funded activities focus on maintaining, restoring, and improving water quality in the Barataria-Terrebonne Estuary through several projects:

1. Assisting homeowners with sewage system repairs in disadvantaged communities surrounding Bayou Lafourche and Bayou Folse
2. Restoring wetlands by backfilling a canal and protecting native lands
3. Establishing long-term monitoring sites to assess changes in finfish and crustacean populations
4. Constructing a new public boat launch and park on Bayou Lafourche to provide more equitable access and educational/recreational amenities
5. Installing an interactive educational exhibit at the new Coastal Center at Nicholls State University
6. Sponsoring a documentary on the effects of climate change on indigenous bayou communities

This grant supports the goals of the National Estuary Program (CFDA 66.456) to protect and restore water quality and estuarine resources of estuaries designated as nationally significant. The projects will utilize subawards to implement the activities.

These funds for the barataria-terrebonne national estuary program (btnep) support implementation of the comprehensive conservation and management plan (ccmp) and accompanying strategic plan to improve the water quality, protect the natural habitat and living resources, and support sustainable human uses of the barataria terrebonne estuary. This agreement is supported by funding provided under the infrastructure investment and jobs act (IIJA) (PL 117-58).activities:all activities focus on maintaining, restoring, and/or improving water quality. The activities to be performed by btnep include the following activities: 1) bayou lafourche and bayou folse watershed home sewage assistance program - assist homeowners with sewage repairs in disadvantaged communities 2) canal backfill and wetlands restoration project - restore wetlands by backfilling a canal and protecting native lands 3) establishing long-term biological monitoring sites in barataria basin - establish long-term monitoring sites to assess changes to the finfish and crustacean communities 4) construction of new public boat launch and park on bayou lafourche phase 1 - provide more equitable access to a public waterway in a disadvantaged area of the estuary and make educational and recreational amenities available and more accessible to this community 5) interactive educational installation at new coastal center - install an interactive educational installation at the new coastal center at nicholls state university that will allow the public to learn about the estuary 6) documentary on climate change effect on the native american bayou community - sponsor documentary, create awareness and create discussion forums/opportunities for dialogues on the effects of climate change on indigenous people and tribal communities in the barataria-terrebonne estuary. Subrecipient:all projects will utilize subawards. Below are the activities that will be implemented through subawards: 1) bayou lafourche and bayou folse watershed home sewage assistance program - assist homeowners with sewage repairs in disadvantaged communities 2) canal backfill and wetlands restoration project - restore wetlands by backfilling a canal and protecting native lands 3) establishing long-term biological monitoring sites in barataria basin - establish long-term monitoring sites to assess changes to the finfish and crustacean communities 4) construction of new public boat launch and park on bayou lafourche phase 1 - provide more equitable access to a public waterway in a disadvantaged area of the estuary and make educational and recreational amenities available and more accessible to this community 5) interactive educational installation at new coastal center - install an interactive educational installation at the new coastal center at nicholls state university that will allow the public to learn about the estuary 6) documentary on climate change effect on the native american bayou community - sponsor documentary, create awareness and create discussion forums/opportunities for dialogues on the effects of climate change on indigenous people and tribal communities in the barataria-terrebonne estuary. Outcomes:the deliverables to be provided under this agreement are: semi and annual progress reports, and final project reports. The expected outcomes resulting from these efforts include restoring louisiana's impaired waters and protecting healthy waters. Direct beneficiaries of this program include the barataria-terrebonne area, human health, the environment and all state residents and occupants, both permanent and temporary.