Groundbreaking Ceremony for River Reintroduction to Maurepas Swamp Project

A Landmark Step Toward Restoring Coastal Louisiana

MAUREPAS, LA (Dec. 3, 2024) – Today, the state of Louisiana broke ground on the critical River Reintroduction into Maurepas Swamp project, which would reconnect one of the largest forested wetland complexes in the nation with the Mississippi River to aid in preventing further wetland loss and habitat degradation. The project will benefit more than 45,000 acres, providing a wetland buffer that can reduce storm surge for communities stretching from the Greater Baton Rouge to the Greater New Orleans regions. 

Together with the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion, these critical large-scale projects represent a comprehensive approach to reconnecting the Mississippi River with its natural ecosystems, fostering a sustainable future for both wildlife and local communities.

Using the river to restore Louisiana’s disappearing coast has long been one of Restore the Mississippi River Delta’s primary goals. The coalition of national and local conservation organizations comprised of the National Wildlife Federation, Environmental Defense Fund, National Audubon Society and Pontchartrain Conservancy released the following statements following today’s momentous groundbreaking: 

“The iconic Maurepas Swamp is one of the last remaining coastal freshwater swamps in Louisiana, and restoring its connection to the Mississippi River is essential for the health and resilience of our entire delta,” said Simone Maloz, campaign director of Restore the Mississippi River Delta. “Future generations of Louisianians are depending on the actions we take now to build new and sustain existing wetlands, so we can preserve a stronger and more resilient coast for our people, wildlife and economies.”

With a freshwater diversion system designed to restore the natural flow of sediment and nutrients into the swamp, this project is anticipated to significantly enhance the ecological health of the region, providing vital habitat for fish, birds, and other wildlife. This effort is part of a broader commitment to address Louisiana’s coastal land loss crisis and to implement the state’s Coastal Master Plan.

“The Maurepas diversion will restore tens of thousands of acres of Louisiana landscape for some of the state’s most beloved species,” said Amanda Moore, senior director of the National Wildlife Federation’s Gulf program. “Louisiana black bear, American alligators, bald eagles and many more species will benefit from this habitat restoration and revitalization. The project will also help local communities who depend on healthy wetlands for storm surge protection. Hundreds of community and business leaders spoke up to support this project and we are delighted to celebrate this moment with them.”

“The Maurepas swamp is one of the nation’s largest forested wetlands and recognized as an Important Bird Area,” said Lauren Bourg, Director of the Mississippi River Delta Program for the National Audubon Society. “This project will help support this vital ecosystem for migratory songbirds like Prothonotary Warblers and Northern Parulas, while also helping local communities who depend on healthy wetlands for storm surge protection.”

The Maurepas project also works synergistically with the West Shore Lake Pontchartrain (WSLP) project to provide enhanced flood protection and ecosystem restoration in southeastern Louisiana. The restored wetlands from Maurepas act as natural buffers, reducing storm surge impacts on nearby communities. Meanwhile the WSLP is a levee system designed to protect communities along the lake from storm surge and flooding. However, levee construction can lead to wetland loss, which is where the Maurepas project comes in to offer mitigation benefits. This combination of restoration and protection enhances the long-term resilience of the region.

“Large-scale restoration projects like the Maurepas Diversion provide a model for Louisiana’s future,” said Will McDow, associate vice president of Climate Resilient Coasts and Watersheds for the Environmental Defense Fund. “This diversion, working together with the West Shore Lake Pontchartrain project, will provide significant economic and environmental benefit to Louisiana’s delta and local communities.”

“The Maurepas diversion will use our best tool, the Mississippi River, to restore this critical habitat,” said Kristi Trail, executive director of Pontchartrain Conservancy. “The Maurepas swamp is a critical line of defense in reducing risk from storm surge for local communities.”

More background on the River Reintroduction to Maurepas Swamp project: 

This diversion, planned near Angelina, will provide sediment and fresh water to existing wetlands in Maurepas swamp. Dominated by bald cypress and water tupelo trees, the Maurepas swamp complex is one of the largest forested wetlands in the nation. However, levees constructed along the river have isolated the area from spring floods and the vital fresh water, nutrients and sediment they bring. This isolation, coupled with rising salinities throughout the Pontchartrain Basin while the MRGO was open, has left the swamp in a state of rapid decline – trees are dying, and young trees are not growing to replace them. The River Reintroduction into Maurepas Swamp project will benefit the swamp by reconnecting it with the river, aiding the prevention of further wetland loss and the conversion of swamps to marshes, as well as helping to offset future increases in salinity throughout the western Pontchartrain Basin. The fine grain sediment may also increase elevation to a point where there are periods without inundation so that seeds can germinate, perpetuating the forest into the future. 

About Restore the Mississippi River Delta: 
Restore the Mississippi River Delta is working to protect people, wildlife and jobs by reconnecting the river with its wetlands. As our region faces the crisis of land loss, we offer science-based solutions through a comprehensive approach to restoration. Composed of conservation, policy, science and outreach experts from Environmental Defense Fund, National Audubon Society, the National Wildlife Federation and Pontchartrain Conservancy, we are located in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Washington, D.C.; and around the United States. Learn more at MississippiRiverDelta.org and connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.