In one the most monumental events in the history of coastal Louisiana, the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion officially broke ground on August 10, 2023. After years of planning, engineering, environmental studies, and stakeholder engagement, construction finally began on the largest and boldest environmental restoration project in U.S. history. This monumental milestone for the project reflects unprecedented collaboration; groundbreaking science, engineering, and innovation; and CPRAs commitment to sustainable restoration efforts that safeguard coastal Louisianas future.

Situated strategically on the west bank of the Mississippi River and the heart of the Barataria Basin, the project is positioned to address the root causes of our land loss crisis by harnessing the natural flow of sediment and power of the Mississippi River. Simply, the project will divert sediment-rich water into the Barataria Basin, restoring the natural land-building processes that originally built out coast.

The Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion holds the promise of multifaceted benefits, ranging from ecological rejuvenation for one of the areas most impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, to enhanced storm surge protection through a natural buffer. The project is a major piece of CPRA's long-term vision and has long been the cornerstone project of the Coastal Master Plan.

CPRA's Annual Plan reflects the ongoing commitment to this transformative project, setting the stage for a future where the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion serves as a beacon of hope for the future of coastal Louisiana.