Opportunity

Opportunity: Conduct Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Environmental Impact Statement

Bid Opening Date: 16 November 2016

The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) will issue a Request for Proposal for qualified firms interested in conducting an Environmental Impact Statement on the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion. The Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion will be the first major controlled sediment diversion reconnecting the Mississippi River with its delta. It is a cornerstone of Louisiana’s Coastal Master Plan and will provide sediment, water, and nutrients to the Barataria basin in order to build land, maintain and sustain wetlands, including complimenting the billions of dollars that have been or will be invested in marsh creation projects in basin, which utilize Mississippi River dredging.

An environmental impact statement (EIS) is a document required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to evaluate the impact on human environments for a proposed action. As part of the EIS process, significant public engagement will occur and the document will clearly and transparently describe the environmental effects of the proposed Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion.

“This is a critical step that gets us closer to re-connecting the Mississippi River to our coastal marshes and estuaries in order to address our coastal land loss crisis. While our focus must remain on the solutions that will have lasting benefits for our coastal communities, it is equally important for the public to be engaged and informed throughout this effort, and this process allows for the public to be heard. The CPRA is committed to being as transparent and forthcoming with information as we possibly can,” states Johnny Bradberry, chairman of the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority.

Mr. Bradberry adds, “While sediment diversions alone cannot solve our coastal crisis, they are a key component of the State’s Coastal Master Plan that must be implemented to save our coast. We fully recognize that all projects called for in the Master Plan must be implemented with the utmost sense of urgency”.

This action is the next step in the state’s expedited plans to implement projects that will protect and restore coastal Louisiana. The process will include public scoping meetings, development of a draft EIS which will be released for public comment, and the development of a final EIS which will undergo additional public comment and will be reviewed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers prior to commencement of construction.

For more information on the solicitation, visit - Bid Number: 109-25031623 RFP Description: Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Third-Party Env. Impact Statement Bid Opening Date: 16 November 2016. Category: ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES (77000000).

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