NOAA
Funding to Aid Recovery Effort for Oyster Beds in St. Bernard
and Plaquemines Parish
Posted:
12/9/05
NOAA FUNDING
TO AID RECOVERY EFFORT FOR OYSTER BEDS IN ST. BERNARD AND
PLAQUEMINES PARISH
The Louisiana
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has signed agreements
with St. Bernard and Plaquemines parishes in which the parishes
will hire Louisiana oyster fishermen to perform assessment
work on public oyster reefs east of the Mississippi River.
Federal
funding provided by a grant from the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will pay for survey work
to determine where reef reconstruction is needed due to the
effects of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
"These
federal dollars will dually lay the groundwork for replenishing
the natural resource and get our citizens back to work,"
said Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco. "Projects of this
nature represent the best use of federal recovery funding
and these funds are readily available based on last year's
storm recovery efforts that were underway. NOAA is to be commended
for working with LDWF to get this done."
The funds,
originally appropriated by Congress to address damage done
by Hurricane Ivan, will implement the Louisiana Oyster Resource
Improvement Project, and provide up to $600,000 for each parish
to administer the assessment project and hire resident oyster
harvesters to perform the field assessment work. LDWF obtained
federal approval to
reprogram this funding for much-needed water bottom assessments
in the aftermath of Katrina and Rita in August and September.
"We
are very pleased to receive NOAA funds in Plaquemines Parish
to assist the recovery of the oyster industry," said
Benny Rousselle, parish president.
Henry
"Junior" Rodriguez, St. Bernard Parish president,
added, "The survey work done now, and the follow-up funding
for reef building work that we anticipate, will ensure the
long-term health of this important segment of the commercial
fishing industry. Councilman Ricky Melerine's efforts in this
matter are to be commended."
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