WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today announced that Louisiana will benefit from more than $45 million in funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for coastal projects.

The funding includes:

• $28,785,121 to restore 380 acres of coastal marsh habitat and protect the marsh from damaging wind-generated waves.  This project is located in Cameron Parish.
• $16.7 million to protect fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico.  The funding will focus on the sustainability of Bluefin tuna, blue crabs, oysters and other species found in the Gulf.  LSU will receive $2 million of the overall funding to assess how marshes are influenced by river diversions.

“Our coastal marsh habitats and the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem are the bread and butter of many Louisiana families, and they have been for generations,” said Sen. Kennedy.  “Future generations are depending on us to sustain this way of life through science and research.”

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