This agreement provides funding under the infrastructure investment and jobs act (IIJA) (PL 117-58) to louisiana universities marine consortium (lumcon) for the national estuary program (NEP)

The EPA Region 6 awarded Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium (LUMCON) a $910,600 Project Grant under the National Estuary Program (CFDA 66.456) effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2030. This award, funded through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Bipartisan Infrastructure Law), supports implementation of the Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan for the Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program (BTNEP). The primary deliverables focus on water quality improvement, habitat protection, and sustainable resource management across Louisiana's coastal estuarine systems.

The funded activities include four core projects executed by BTNEP and subrecipients: Phase II of the Home Sewage Assistance Program in the Upper Bayou Terrebonne Watershed, which repairs onsite sewage disposal systems to enhance water quality; Population and Movement Ecology research on Gulf Coast Box Turtles to determine population viability and habitat selection; removal of invasive feral hogs from the Barataria Basin through helicopter and ground-based operations; and enhanced Water Hyacinth management utilizing remote sensing technology and biological control methods. Collectively, these projects maintain and restore water quality while addressing invasive species and ecosystem degradation within the estuary's designated watershed.

The recipient will support implementation of the comprehensive conservation and management plan (ccmp) and strategic plan to improve water quality, protect the natural habitat and living resources, and support sustainable human uses. The projects proposed for funding via the bipartisan infrastructure law (BIL) will leverage existing efforts.activities:all activities focus on maintaining, restoring, and/or improving water quality. The activities to be performed by barataria terrebonne national estuary program (btnep) include the following: - phase LL home sewage assistance program in the upper bayou terrebonne watershed: this project will improve the water quality in the upper bayou terrebone watershed through repair of onsite sewage disposal systems - population and movement ecology of gulf coast box turtles (terrapene carolina major) in southeast louisiana: conduct research to determine population estimate and viability, season ability in EGG laying and clutch size, home range and habitat selection, and disease prevalence of box turtles (see workplan for more information) - removal of feral hogs from the barataria basin via helicopter and ground-based operations: (see workplan for more information) - enhanced water hyacinth management through remote sensing and augmented biological control: (see workplan for more information) subrecipient:- phase LL home sewage assistance program in the upper bayou terrebonne watershed - population and movement ecology of gulf coast box turtles (terrapene carolina major) in southeast louisiana - seek and destroy: removal of feral hogs from the barataria basin via helicopter and ground-based operations - enhanced water hyacinth management through remote sensing and augmented biological control outcomes:the anticipated deliverables include: semi and annual progress reports, final project reports and quality assurance project plans. The expected outcomes resulting from these efforts include restoring louisiana's impaired waters and protecting healthy waters. The intended beneficiaries include the barataria-terrebonne area, human health, the environment and all state residents and occupants, both permanent and temporary.