Concrete armor to help save wetlands

Plans to use concrete from an existing floodwall to shore up some 18,000 feet of lakefront along the LaBranche Wetlands will certainly be a benefit to our parish. The concrete will come from an existing floodwall along the lake where Jefferson and St. Charles Parishes meet which will be replaced by a stronger floodwall later this year.

The concrete will be broken up and added to the 12,000 feet already in place along the lakefront. This will give added protection to the wetlands which the hurricane protection levee along Airline Highway does not benefit.

Labranche Wetlands is a valuable part of our parish. It’s 12,000 acres add space to the distance hurricanes and surges have to travel from the lake to populated areas. They have been built up somewhat in the past by the annual Christmas tree program in which the trees were placed in the water to trap sediment. Also, grass planting programs have been implemented.

LaBranche Wetlands has suffered from salt water coming in from Lake Pontchartrain. With the Bonnet Carre Spillway next door, a fresh water diversion project should be placed from the Mississippi River toward the lake. That would help vegetation grow and make the area more solid.

Meanwhile, the extra concrete armor along the lake should help protect an important part of our landscape that presents a fascinating view when travelling through our parish on Interstate 10.