2022-0113
INTRODUCED BY: ST. CHARLES PARISH COUNCIL
MATTHEW JEWELL, PARISH PRESIDENT
RESOLUTION NO.
Title
A resolution to add St. Charles Parish to a letter of support for consideration of the Maurepas Swamp Project Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement to be used as mitigation for the West Shore Lake Pontchartrain levee project.
Body
WHEREAS, the parish council supports the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the Maurepas Swamp Project to be used as mitigation for the West Shore Lake Pontchartrain levee project; and,
WHEREAS, the Maurepas Swamp Project is the optimal mitigation option to offset the West Shore Lake Pontchartrain levee project impacts to swamp habitats; and,
WHEREAS, the Maurepas Swamp Project is largely a preservation mitigation option that uses benefit areas within a larger CPRA restoration project (River Reintroduction into Maurepas Swamp, PO-0029) to offset the West Shore Lake Pontchartrain levee project swamp impacts and allows mitigation to remain in the same watershed and habitat as the levee project; and,
WHEREAS, the Maurepas Swamp mitigation project will allow complete funding of CPRA's PO-0029 project, which will reconnect the Mississippi River with the Maurepas Swamp, providing necessary freshwater flow-through, nutrients and sediments that are vital to restoring the degraded bald cypress-tupelo swamp. PO-0029 will benefit over 45,000 acres of swamp that are currently in rapid decline; and,
WHEREAS, by constructing the Maurepas Swamp Project and the West Shore Lake Pontchartrain levee project concurrently, the State and Army Corps will attain cost savings and efficiencies, freeing up restoration funds to allow CPRA and others to pursue other high-priority projects; and,
WHEREAS, the West Shore Lake Pontchartrain levee project and the Maurepas Swamp Project will work together to provide significant storm surge protection for nearby communities.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, THAT WE, THE MEMBERS OF T...
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