Gulf Guardian Award Winners 2006
Civic/Nonprofit Organization - 2nd Place
Saltwater intrusion and shoreline erosion has affected the marsh with the Point-aux-Chenes Wildlife Management Area. The purpose of the Ducks Unlimited Pointe-aux-Chenes restoration project was to build infrastructure on the Wildlife Management Area that would allow managers to reduce tidal variation, stabilize water levels and reduce salinity fluctuations. The restoration of the marsh included construction of 12,500 linear feet of earthen levee and installation of five water control structures. The restored marsh provides a range of perpetual environmental improvements for wildlife and the people of southern Louisiana. As salinities decrease, native wetland vegetation will colonize the marsh and form a natural interspersion of emergent marsh, open water and shallowly flooded ponds. The people of Louisiana are benefiting through increased water filtration ability of the marsh, flood control, storm surge protection, benefits to commercial fisheries, and increased recreational opportunities.