(Nov. 2, 2016) – When the Pass-a-Loutre Marsh Creation Project commenced June 2, 1986, those in charge of the venture weren't exactly sure what the result would be.
Thirty years later, it has exceeded their expectations for the betterment of a Louisiana treasure, the Pass-a-Loutre Wildlife Management Area, located at the mouth of the Mississippi River in south Louisiana.

The cooperative endeavor between the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), Plaquemines Parish and the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources not only created more land it did so well under budget, on time and continues to produce additional acreage annually.

Also known as the Louisiana Crevasse Project, the three crevasses created at Pass-a-Loutre WMA, part of the Mississippi River Bird Foot Delta, formed approximately 760 acres of land. Originally budgeted for $300,000, it was designed by HNTB Corp., awarded to Bean Dredging and accomplished at a cost of only $88,060. That translates to $115.87 per acre in 1986 or $252.44 per acre compared to today's cost per acre.

The once open water bays and ponds where these projects were created now host a mosaic of habitats, including tidal mudflats, emergent fresh marsh and woody vegetation. It has provided estuary habitat for larval marine fisheries, freshwater fish, a variety of migratory and resident birds, nesting habitat for alligators and habitat for terrestrial mammals such as white-tailed deer and rabbits.

"This collaborative project is truly a coastal restoration success story,'' said LDWF Secretary Charlie Melancon. "It was a low cost undertaking that has returned vital acreage to Pass-a-Loutre and provides critical habitat for many wildlife and fish species. Equally impressive is that these crevasses continue to do the job 30 years after their formation and could keep going for some time to come.''

The life cycle of these projects were estimated to be 10-20 years. But they are still producing positive gains 30 years after construction and could continue production for another 10 years or more.

This project was funded with state revenues as established by Louisiana Act 41 of the 1981 extraordinary session, also known as the Coastal Environment Protection Trust Fund.

LDWF staff pioneered this restoration technique more than 55 years ago when it made cuts into the natural levees of the river and passes of the delta. These cuts allow the sediment-laden water to flow into interior marshes and ponds. Over time, the sediment builds up and begins to return open water areas to healthy freshwater marsh.
This natural process of land creation comes at virtually no cost once the cut has been made and allows for a natural gradient of marsh to form. This low cost restoration technique is unique as it continues to build additional acreage over time rather than eroding away over time. It is also the cheapest land creation technique currently the coastal wetlands restoration toolbox. Having a marsh slowly and naturally recreate itself with varying elevations allows for more diversity in the species that use this habitat.
When the crevasses were first created, there was little change in the initial year. But by the second growing season, changes began to take place, such as the shallowing of the area that receives the sediment and the establishment of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV).

After a few years, a channel begins to form along the water bottom and tidal annual vegetation such as delta duck potato and cattail begin to materialize where the SAV was previously. In a few more seasons, duck potato stands expand but the original locations are replaced by perennial vegetation as the elevation of the soil increases.
Finally, willow trees and woody vegetation will take root. While this transformation from open water to wooded ridges takes place, the footprint of the crevasses increases and pioneering vegetation expands into new areas.

Crevasses create a rich mosaic of habitats slowly over time. Each of these habitats are important to many wildlife species throughout the year and provide resources for many animals, including migratory birds, nesting alligators, resident wading birds and many species of conservation concern.

This project has also proven beneficial in creating high quality hunting, fishing and wildlife viewing opportunities for the public to enjoy.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is charged with managing and protecting Louisiana's abundant natural resources. For more information, visit us at www.wlf.la.gov. To receive recreational or commercial fishing email and text alerts, signup at http://www.wlf.la.gov/signup.