Bayou Bienvenue Slated for Cypress Restoration in State Master Plan

After 6 years of working towards the restoration of Bayou Bienvenue we learned this week of a major victory along this bumpy road to restoration. The State, in the 11th hour, changed the Master Plan to reflect the neighborhood's wish that this area be restored to a Cypress Tupelo forest, rather than what was planned: a mere freshwater diversion. While it is not official yet until the proposed change is adopted by the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA), our sources believe that the CPRA will adopt the proposed changes by the Governor's commission next week!

The neighborhood has worked very hard to have Bayou Bienvenue restored, and if the master plan had not relfected this desire it would have made achieving such a goal difficult due to the fact that restoration must be done in line with the plan. Having the state reverse course at the 11th hour by making this change is a victory for all of us who made public comments and attended various meetings. Our people submitted over 200 comments in support of the Triangle with government officials, non-profits, universities and residents all working together to say to the State, that this project makes sense. RESTORE BAYOU BIENVENUE NOW!

This time, they heard us, but let's not get complacent because there is still much work to be done to make our dream a reality. Click here to read more about the CSED's work related to Bayou Bienvenue.

We still don't have the money, but we should celebrate this victory and feel proud to know that what we have worked so hard for is moving forward. Congratulations!