Fisheries Infrastructure
BATON ROUGE, La. - The state will invest $19 million in 15 infrastructure improvement projects to repair the heavily damaged fisheries industry across South Louisiana, the Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA) and the Office of Community Development (OCD) Disaster Recovery Unit announced today.
"This is the first real substantial investment that has gone directly to rebuild the vital fisheries infrastructure that was devastated by the storms of 2005," said LRA Executive Director Paul Rainwater. "One of Louisiana's most important rural economic sectors is the multi-billion dollar commercial and recreational fishing industry; it's not just a hobby to these people but a way of life."
It is estimated that Hurricanes Katrina and Rita destroyed more than $528 million in fisheries infrastructure in Louisiana's fishing communities with millions more in losses to supporting industries. In an effort to address some of those losses, the LRA and OCD developed a $19 million Fisheries Infrastructure program. The program uses Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to provide grants for building projects that improve the viability and long-term sustainability of the commercial and recreational fisheries of coastal Louisiana.
"Making a living from the sea has been part of south Louisiana's culture for centuries," Representative Charlie Melancon (D-LA) said. "The devastation caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita threatened that way of life, but today we are making a firm commitment to the future of commercial and recreational fishing in our coastal communities. By rebuilding what was lost, we are not just supporting a major industry that provides jobs to thousands of people in our state; we are also preserving an integral part of our Cajun heritage for future generations of south Louisianians."
The LRA and OCD conducted four informational sessions across coastal Louisiana to walk potential participants through program requirements. Proposals for projects were solicited in October 2007; 59 proposals requesting nearly $114 million were submitted to the LRA.
"While this program focuses on an often ignored recovery sector, there still remains a great need for more resources to help the communities that rely heavily on fisheries for their livelihood," said LRA Board Member David Richard. "Boats and nets are of no use without the docks, wharfs, marinas and other fisheries infrastructure that are essential to this industry."
Last month experts from around the country traveled to Louisiana to discuss, review and weigh the merits of each proposal. These experts recommended projects to a state team that made the final allocation of awards for proposals in the eastern and western areas of the coast. Proposals were evaluated to determine whether they:
Enhanced and ensured continued access to the state's coastal waters for commercial and recreational fishing, eco-tourism, and development of "working waterfronts;"
Created/maintained employment in the commercial and recreational fishing industry;
Preserved the commercial and recreational fishing culture of coastal Louisiana;
Improved the economic efficiency of the fishing industry; and
Created storm harbors that provide vessels with temporary refuge during future storm events.
Funding allocations and priorities of projects receiving provisional grants are as follows:
Cameron Square Waterfront Development - $3,115,000
Development of waterfront dock and seafood processing infrastructure
Delcambre Fisheries Infrastructure Project - $2,200,000
Improvements to the Delcambre Waterfront
Bucktown Harbor - Fisheries and Recreational Improvements - $2,100,000
Upgrades to access infrastructure, boat slips, and fishing piers
Grand Isle-Multipurpose fishing facilities - $2,000,000
Construction and improvement of multi-purpose fishing access facility on the Bay side of the island
Venice Shipyard - $ 1,441,961
Construction/improvement of shipyard facilities
Morgan City-Ice and cold storage and wharf repairs - $1,300,000
Ice and cold storage facilities and docking and loading facility improvements
Oyster Processing Facility in Plaquemines Parish - $1,180,000
Development of a large volume, value-added oyster processing plant that will provide the means to create new, innovative consumer friendly oyster products targeted to the national seafood market
Ice Houses, Plaquemines Parish -$1,100,000
Purchase & installation of one 60-ton ice house and needed auxiliary equipment, along with needed improvements
LA Shrimp & Seafood Co, Empire Processing Plant - $1,000,000
Multifaceted seafood processing facility (beginning with shrimp)
Jesse Fontenot Boat Launch - $746,750
Implement repairs/improvements which include protective peninsulas which will provide safe harbor from wave action from the Atchafalaya River during future hurricanes
Operation Boat Launches - $730,000
Rehabilitate and/or further improve boat landings in Terrebonne Parish
The Raw Oyster Factory - $500,000
Build and equip an oyster processing facility
New Orleans City Park Lagoon Fishing Piers along Marconi Dr. & Wisner Blvd -$375,000
Construct fishing pier with adjacent parking lot attached by walkways to the fishing piers within City Park
Rosethorne Park Improvements - $300,000
Improve infrastructure/access at existing park
Houma Marina - Safe Harbor Mooring & Pedestrian Access - $296,600
Install safe harbor mooring piles
Dredge Bayou Terrebonne
Install a pedestrian fishing pier along the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway
** Funding listed above are conditional awards, and grantees must comply with all CDBG regulations in order to receive funding
Audubon Zoo
The Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) has announced that the Audubon Zoo was granted accreditation by AZA’s independent Accreditation Commission.
“Only the very best zoos and aquariums can meet tough Association of Zoos and Aquariums accreditation standards,” said AZA President and CEO Jim Maddy. “The leadership and staff of the Audubon Zoo are to be congratulated for the hard work and commitment that they put into the accreditation process.”
To be accredited, the Audubon Zoo underwent a thorough investigation to insure it has and will continue to meet ever-rising standards, which include animal care, veterinary programs, conservation, education, and safety. AZA requires zoos and aquariums to successfully complete this rigorous accreditation process in order to be members of the association, and are required to resubmit to this process every five years.
Diabetes
The American Diabetes Association will sound the alert about diabetes on American Diabetes Alert Day, March 25, 2008. American Diabetes Alert Day is a one-day call to action to encourage those at risk for developing type 2 diabetes or those with loved ones at risk to take the Diabetes Risk Test and, if they score high, to schedule an appointment to see their healthcare provider. The Diabetes Risk Test is available in English and Spanish by calling the Association at 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or online at www.diabetes.org/alert.
New Orleans Health Care
Governor Bobby Jindal and Alan Levine will be discussing the mental health care crises in New Orleans today at a press conference.
Oil and Gas
TP Oil & Gas Corporation today announced that it was the apparent high bidder on Atwater Valley Block 19, Atwater Valley Block 62 and Mississippi Canyon 304 offshore blocks upon which ATP bid at the Central Gulf of Mexico Offshore Lease Sale 206 held on March 19th in New Orleans. Atwater Valley Block 19 is located in approximately 4,199’ of water and Atwater Valley Block 62 is located in approximately 4,173’ feet of water, and both are in close proximity to ATP’s Telemark Hub. Mississippi Canyon Block 304 is located in approximately 6,793’ of water and is located near the ATP operated Canyon Express pipeline system. If ATP is awarded the blocks, the company will have a 100% working interest in each one and serve as operator.
ATP Vice President of Acquisitions George R. Morris stated, “If awarded, these blocks will further advance two of our core areas, the Canyon Express pipeline system and Telemark, where we are in the process of executing ongoing operational plans for the development of these deepwater hubs.”
