BATON ROUGE, La. (press release) – Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser sent a letter to Colonel Stephen Murphy, the New Orleans District Commander of the United State Army Corps of Engineers, expressing his concern over three public meetings being held online regarding the Mid-Breton Sediment Diversion project. Shrimpers and fisherman have reached out to the Lt. Governor, who is a board member on the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, requesting in person meetings to voice their concerns. Of greatest concern is they will be put at a disadvantage in having their voices heard regarding the diversion of fresh water and sediment into the saltwater Mid-Breton Sound due to the meetings being online while they are fishing for their livelihood without access to the meetings. Lt. Governor Nungesser is requesting the three virtual meetings, scheduled for July 14 and July 16, be held in a manner allowing people to safely participate in person or be scheduled for a later date.
The Mid-Breton Sediment Diversion in Plaquemines Parish proposes diverting fresh water, sediment, and nutrients from the Mississippi River into the Breton Sound in an effort to reduce coastal erosion and sustain the surrounding wetlands. Louisiana seafood industry fisherman are concerned the influx of fresh water in to the salty water of the sound will impact the sea life in the sound, and impact the Louisiana seafood industry.
Read Lt. Governor Nungesser’s letter to the Army Corps of Engineers.
