After years of pushback, Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Project officially breaks ground
Shovels to sediment, and sediment into new land: that is the goal of the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Project that finally got its start Thursday morning after decades of debate.
The goal is to use a series of basins and gates to divert the Mississippi River into the Barataria Basin to use the sediments the river carries to build more wetlands there.
"We're protecting the livelihood of everyone who lives in this part of Louisiana by restoring this marsh and creating this buffer between our people and the Gulf of Mexico. We've lost two thousand square miles. We have a real sense of urgency," Gov. John Bel Edwards said.
Edwards took part in the groundbreaking and is a big proponent of the project that claims to add up to 26,000 acres of wetland to the state marshes within 50 years.
Other proponents of the project say it will increase household earnings in the area and create more than 12,000 jobs.
"It provides our home. The river built it, and we need to let the river protect it and build us more," Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana Executive Director Kimberly Reyher said.
This is one of the areas in Buras where much of the changes will be felt. Not everyone who works here agrees they will be positive, though.
Third-generation oyster farmer Mitch Jurisich disagrees with the project. He says the impact of moving freshwater from the river to the marshes will destroy the state's seafood industry.
"You're moving the people. People cannot survive without their livelihoods. They're going to have to leave and go where? Go do what? I'm 60 years old. How do I start over," Jurisich said. "You know, our son, he's got a welding degree and all that, but that's not what he wants to do. He wants to do what my grandfather did back in 1904 when he created our family business."
Jurisich said the water will wash away oysters, shrimp and fish from the area.
Around $400 million are in place to help oyster farmers, shrimpers and fishermen affected by the issues the project acknowledges will come.
Edwards said science will be used to find new areas to replenish seafood.
Jurisich said the Louisiana Seafood Industry makes over $1 billion and won't be saved by a one-time $400 million payment. He doesn't believe there will be anywhere else for them to go.
"Either we're going to move the fish or we're going to move the people. I think we need to move the fish. But we're not unmindful of the consequences of that," Edwards said.
While Edwards remains on board, Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser is strongly opposed and disagrees strongly with Edwards' thoughts on the project.
"That is, I hate to say it, a bull---- statement," Nungesser said.
Nungesser says the 50-year plan is too little too late and wants to see more done to rebuild the rapidly receding coast.
"We don't have 50 years. We better come up with a three-to-five-year plan, put dredges out there 24/7 to save the coast. In 50 years, we will be having the Grand Isle Fishing Rodeo in Baton Rouge," Nungesser said. "It's the biggest fraud ever pulled over Louisiana's eyes. You can remember that when we drown like rats because we built this and wasted $3 billion."
Both Nungesser and Jurisich said the fight isn't over.
Jurisich is part of the Plaquemines Parish Council which opposes the project happening in their backyard. He also said a lawsuit could be coming.
Nungesser said he hopes the next governor and the legislature stop the project.
Edwards hopes for the opposite.
"I hope they will continue to allow science to continue to allow that decision-making. That is critically important to understand that you can't stop progress because there are certain people who are adversely impacted," Edwards said.