WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. John Kennedy (R. La) announced today that the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Gulf Coast Restoration is granting $772,400 in Deepwater Horizon oil spill funds toward the creation of a new wetland habitat in Plaquemines Parish.  The project includes the creation of 400 acres of marsh and the nourishment and restoration of 100 acres of existing wetlands.

Louisiana is home to 40% of the wetlands in the continental United States.  The wetlands are an important storm buffer as well as a habitat for fisheries.  Studies show that an estimated 25 to 35 square miles of wetlands are lost each year in Louisiana.  That’s at least 16,000 acres – or more than a dozen football fields - a year.

“This funding will help us in the battle against coastal erosion,” said Sen. Kennedy.  “Louisiana has 40% of the nation’s wetlands.  We have to restore and preserve them in order to protect our seafood industry and to avoid getting hammered by hurricanes.”

“The Bayou Eau Noire project is a critical project to Plaquemines Parish.  lt is an important part of the multiple lines of defense coastal strategy to compliment the current levee system employed by the parish,” said Plaquemines Parish President Amos Cormier.  “On behalf of the citizens of Plaquemines Parish, I want to thank Sen. Kennedy for his assistance in helping guide us through the Restore Act application process.”