HOUMA, La. (AP) - Money from the BP oil spill of 2010 has paid for a $3 million project to improve a boat launch and add fishing piers and parking in a coastal Louisiana parish.
“This project is funded with a portion of post-BP oil spill dollars specifically allocated to mitigate for recreational opportunities lost as a result of the spill,” said Chip Kline, chairman of the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority.
Ten new piers were built in five spots along a 2.5-mile (3.2 kilometer) stretch of road between Highway 665 and Isle de Jean Charles. Each pier is 56 feet (26 meter) long and 8 feet (2.4 meter) wide. Each site has an accessible parking spot and parking for 11 other vehicles along Island Road.
“Island Road is a narrow two-lane road across open water with minimal shoulders to park along, creating a somewhat precarious situation,” Kline said in a news release. “Now that this project is complete, our fishermen have ample parking, piers to fish from, and a boat launch to increase public access to this incredible resource.”
The stretch of road is the southernmost boundary of the Ensminger/Songe marsh management unit on the Terrebonne Parish portion of the Pointe-Aux-Chenes Wildlife Management Area.
“Now our residents can enjoy great fishing and crabbing without fear for their safety,” said State Rep. Tanner Magee, who represents the district.
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