When industry demand dictated that slips in the Northern Expansion be widened from 500 feet to 700 feet for deeper access, the Greater Lafourche Port Commission officials were faced with a dilemma:

What do we do with the millions of cubic yards of additional dredge spoil that will be produced?

Answer: Create a world-class ecotourism opportunity while increasing storm protection for the community.

Over the last 100 years, naturally occuring coastal ridges served as buffers between the Gulf of Mexico and the highly sensitive coastal marshes. As these ridges have disappeared, marsh has become increasingly exposed to coastal erosion. The re-creation of a ridge near the Port mimics the natural ecology of the system and restores a natural storm surge protection barrier.

When the ridge is fully constructed, it will stretch for approximately 12,750 linear feet, and about sixty acres of marsh and sixty acres of ridge will be re-created. Ultimately, the project will include walking trails and a coastal/marine ecosystem education center.

Port Fourchon is working in conjunction with several private and governmental entities to tackle this restoration effort, including the following: