[StBernard] Governor Blanco announces $6.2 Million in funding for Atchafalaya Basin projects

[Westley Annis]

Governor Blanco announces $6.2 Million in funding 
for Atchafalaya Basin projects 

BATON ROUGE - Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco today approved 18 local projects worth $6.2 million through the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources' Atchafalaya Basin Program (ABP).

"These projects will allow our citizens to continue enjoying this piece of our Sportsman's Paradise and allow visitors to experience the wonders of the Atchafalaya Basin," Governor Blanco said. "I am committed to a holistic approach to improve both the basin region as well as the water quality in the basin. These enhancements to our communities will help grow our eco-tourism economy, inviting visitors to share in the cultural prize that we know as the Atchafalaya Basin."

In 1986, Congress authorized $250 million dollars to preserve and enhance the Basin through the Corps of Engineers by expanding public access, environmental easements, water-management, and recreation. In 1999, the Louisiana Legislature voted unanimously for the State Master Plan of the Atchafalaya Basin (Act 920), authorizing $85 million to be spent over a 15 year period, in order to match the federal dollars.

In the past two years, ABP has completed two major water quality projects, and currently three others are under review for implementation. 

In the 2006 Legislative Session, $9 million in funding was authorized for the Atchafalaya Basin Program, and was approved by the State Bond Commission. 

The following projects have been approved in the first round of funding:

Assumption Veteran's Park 
Priority Two: $880,000
Priority Five: $150,000
This funding provides additional improvements to Veteran's Park which is located in Pierre Part. In 2006 DNR/ABP provided $700,932 in funding for the first phase currently under construction. 

Avoyelles Interpretive Plaza, Marksville
Priority Two: $80,000
This is the second and final phase of this project at the Avoyelles Parish Courthouse. In 2003 DNR provided $400,300 in funding for the first phase, this new funding will allow for the completion of improvements including interpretive kiosks. 

Avoyelles Parish Sarto Bridge Project
Priority Two: $50,000
Priority Five $50,000
This will provide remaining renovations to this historic swing span bridge. In 2005, DNR/ABP provided $50,100 in funding for the design of the improvements to the historic bridge. This funding will provide the construction match for their Highway Enhancement funding that has already been acquired for construction.

Avoyelles Simmesport Park
Priority Two: $150,000
Priority Five: $150,000
In 2004, DNR/ABP provided $230,000 to match the Corps of Engineers funding for the boat launch which has been completed. In 2005, DNR provided an additional $40,000 for dirt work at the site. This new funding will allow for the design of the RV park facility and installation of some lighting and water and infrastructure in the park.

Iberia Bayou Teche Museum
Priority Two: $600,000
In 2005, DNR/ABP provided $165,000 for the first phase of construction on the facility. This second round of funding will provide for the remaining improvements to the Bayou Teche Museum in downtown New Iberia. 

Eagle Pointe Park
Priority One Cash $150,000
Priority Five: $200,000
DNR/ABP has reserved $150,000 in Priority One cash for the design of this park facility pending resolution of the land donation to Iberia Parish Government or the Recreation District. This will also provide an additional $200,000 in Priority Five Funding to design and plan this facility. 

Harry Hewes House
Priority Two: $100,000
Priority Five: $ 50,000
This is the second phase of this project that began the improvements to the Historic Harry Hewes House in downtown Jeanerette. In 2005, DNR/ABP provided the Town of Jeanerette $72,000 to begin the improvements for this project. The facility will ultimately be used as a tourist and visitor's center, community banquet hall, and meeting facility. 

Iberville Welcome Center
Priority Five: $325,000
Iberville Parish Government recently acquired the beautiful piece of property with large oak trees on I-10, at the Gros Tete exit. It is their intention to construct a visitor's center to draw people off of the interstate into Iberville Parish. The parish has applied for additional grant money for this project, but this funding will allow the parish to begin design and construction of proposed improvements. 

Lower St. Martin Recreation District
Priority Two: $300,000
Priority Five: $300,000
In 2005 DNR/ABP provided design funds for the two parks at Belle River and Stephensville. In 2006, DNR provided $266,956 for the construction funding for the park at Stephensville. These funds will allow for additional construction at both facilities to match other available funds. 

Pointe Coupee Doris Park
Priority Two: $192,000
This funding will provide for the design and construction of improvements to a downtown New Roads park including brick walls, fountain, walkways, and landscaping. 

St. Martin Bayou Amy Boat Launch
Priority Two: $40,000
Priority Five: $200,000
This is a project to design and construct a boat launch and interpretive kiosk in the Town of Henderson along the western guide levee of the Basin. 

Dick Davis Park
Priority Five: $80,000
In 2002, DNR/ABP provided $502,570 for the first phase of this RV/camping facility on the banks of the Bayou Teche in Butte La Rose. This will provide $80,000 in funding to complete this project by constructing RV parking pads, signage, and fencing at the facility.

Le Promenade de Breaux Bridge
Priority Two: $40,000
Priority Five: $300,000
This will provide $40,000 in cash for the design of the improvements in downtown Breaux Bridge, and $300,000 in priority five funding for construction. The improvements include an addition to the Tourist Center, lighting, benches, landscaping, and fencing. 

Bayou Benoit Boat Launch Improvements
Priority Two: $100,000
Priority Five: $100,000
This Cooperative Endeavor Agreement will provide $100,000 in cash and $100,000 in Priority Five Funding for the design and construction of improvements to the Bayou Benoit boat launch, including a floating dock and parking area lighting and upgrades.

Catahoula Meeting Center
Priority Two: $50,000
Priority Five: $300,000
This Cooperative Endeavor Agreement will be executed with St. Martin Parish Government to provide $50,000 in cash for the design and $300,000 in Priority Five Funding for construction of the community center at Clayton Boudreaux Park in the community of Catahoula. 

Lake End Park
Priority Two: $500,000
Priority Five: $150,000
In 2001, DNR/ABP provided $1,282,341 to construct the Lake End Park Campground and RV Park in Morgan City and $210,000 in 2005 for additional improvements. This new funding will allow for roadway hard-surfacing in the park as well as picnic pavilions and restoration of the popular walking trails.

Millet Point Boat Launch
Priority Two: $660,000
This boat launch will be constructed by the Corps of Engineers at Millet Point. This funding will provide St. Mary Parish with their match to the Corps funding for this project, which will include a new launch, restrooms, canoe launch, parking lot improvements and lighting. 

Lake End Parkway Cabin design
Priority Two: $93,000
After hurricane Katrina, FEMA spent $7.5 million on infrastructure improvements to the Lake End Parkway area in Morgan City to provide RV trailers to house evacuees. The FEMA lease will expire in July 2007, and the area will be ready to house RV visitors. This $93,000 will provide for the design of cabins to be constructed adjacent to the RV sites. 

For more information on the Atchafalaya Basin Program of the state Department of Natural Resources, go to www.dnr.louisiana.gov <http://keelson.eatel.net/websites/la.gov/action.cfm?md=communication&task=addClick&msg_ID=3156&ID=d%20iwe%28i%2FnOnb&redirect=http://www.dnr.louisiana.gov> .


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