Ray
09-29-2011, 03:52 AM
Holly Beach residents raised a number of questions in a meeting held last Thursday about the state's proposed beach nourishment and shoreline protection project.
Another meeting was held on Tuesday, Sept. 20, to allow project managers from the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority to do some research and clarify some information. The Cameron Parish Shoreline Protection project is a $45.8 million beach restoration project, funded entirely by the state of
Louisiana. CPRA Project Manager Bill Feazel explained that 8.7 miles of shoreline, from the west Calcasieu River Jetty to the easternmost rock breakwater
(west of Holly Beach) will be nourished with sand dredged from high quality deposits 20 miles offshore.
Three million cubic yards of sand will be pumped onto the shoreline, creating a beach varying from 130 to 250 feet in width, to a height of 5 feet above sea level. On top of the landward side of the new beach, a 50 foot wide dune will be constructed, to a height of 8 feet above sea level. It will be protected from
wind erosion by vegetative plantings and sand fences on both sides. The fences will be staggered to allow foot access, and open access will be cut in the dune at the end of each north/south road.
Cameron Parish authorities have been pushing for this project to be built, because the effects of Hurricanes Rita and Ike have moved the shoreline east of Holly Beach up to the road. Feazel says his superiors have been pushing him as well, making this project number 1 out of the 30 he manages.
The snag came when Holly beach residents found out a new state law, passed this year, prohibits vehicular traffic where state funds are used to improve beaches. Cynthia Wallace, CPRA Real Estate/Lands Rights Division Chief, explained the law was passed to protect the state's investment.
Parish ordinance already prohibits driving on most of Holly Beach. Signs denote a "Parking only" area just south of Pelican Street, otherwise known as the "sand
road." Marilyn Broussard said preventing visitors from riding on the beach, or at least being able to park south of Pelican St., will "kill Holly Beach." She said visitors come from all over the country because this is one of the few places they can drive onto the beach and park or camp.
At the Thursday meeting, it was suggested that the parish owns several lots donated through the Road Home program after Hurricane Rita. Parish administrator Tina Horn said some of them could be designated for parking areas, depending on where they are located.
Residents questioned why Holly Beach itself couldn't be left out of the program, since it had been stable or building up for the past 20 or more years. Feazel said scientific studies done as part of the project showed that the dredge spoil area on the west side of the jetties, which has been nourishing Holly Beach
for years, will soon be used up.
Holly Beach could begin to see erosion within a year, he said, which is why the project was expanded to include it. In addition, the highway west of Holly Beach is unprotected until the first breakwaters, so that section was added. If Holly Beach proper is left out of the project, it will create an indention in the coastline
which will cause the currents to cut in and erode the beach, he said.
Police Juror Sonny McGee expressed his concern that a solid dune will cause rainwater to be held behind it, leaving much of the Holly Beach community under water. Also, when storm surge or high tides come over the beach and run out through the access points, the current will scour deep holes, he said. He would like to see the parking and drainage issues addressed before the project goes to bid.
State Rep. Bob Hensgens was also present and said he would try to help get access to the beach, parking near the beach, and drainage for interior lots included in the project. He also said the completion of this sand nourishment project should help get funding for rock breakwaters through the CWPPRA program.
Rocks were not included at this time because there was not enough money for them.
CPRA Lafayette Office head Pat Landry said the team had spent the day driving along the beach with residents taking note of the areas of concern, and will
work to address the issues with the design team. "We don't want to build a great project and then create another problem," he said.
Another meeting was held on Tuesday, Sept. 20, to allow project managers from the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority to do some research and clarify some information. The Cameron Parish Shoreline Protection project is a $45.8 million beach restoration project, funded entirely by the state of
Louisiana. CPRA Project Manager Bill Feazel explained that 8.7 miles of shoreline, from the west Calcasieu River Jetty to the easternmost rock breakwater
(west of Holly Beach) will be nourished with sand dredged from high quality deposits 20 miles offshore.
Three million cubic yards of sand will be pumped onto the shoreline, creating a beach varying from 130 to 250 feet in width, to a height of 5 feet above sea level. On top of the landward side of the new beach, a 50 foot wide dune will be constructed, to a height of 8 feet above sea level. It will be protected from
wind erosion by vegetative plantings and sand fences on both sides. The fences will be staggered to allow foot access, and open access will be cut in the dune at the end of each north/south road.
Cameron Parish authorities have been pushing for this project to be built, because the effects of Hurricanes Rita and Ike have moved the shoreline east of Holly Beach up to the road. Feazel says his superiors have been pushing him as well, making this project number 1 out of the 30 he manages.
The snag came when Holly beach residents found out a new state law, passed this year, prohibits vehicular traffic where state funds are used to improve beaches. Cynthia Wallace, CPRA Real Estate/Lands Rights Division Chief, explained the law was passed to protect the state's investment.
Parish ordinance already prohibits driving on most of Holly Beach. Signs denote a "Parking only" area just south of Pelican Street, otherwise known as the "sand
road." Marilyn Broussard said preventing visitors from riding on the beach, or at least being able to park south of Pelican St., will "kill Holly Beach." She said visitors come from all over the country because this is one of the few places they can drive onto the beach and park or camp.
At the Thursday meeting, it was suggested that the parish owns several lots donated through the Road Home program after Hurricane Rita. Parish administrator Tina Horn said some of them could be designated for parking areas, depending on where they are located.
Residents questioned why Holly Beach itself couldn't be left out of the program, since it had been stable or building up for the past 20 or more years. Feazel said scientific studies done as part of the project showed that the dredge spoil area on the west side of the jetties, which has been nourishing Holly Beach
for years, will soon be used up.
Holly Beach could begin to see erosion within a year, he said, which is why the project was expanded to include it. In addition, the highway west of Holly Beach is unprotected until the first breakwaters, so that section was added. If Holly Beach proper is left out of the project, it will create an indention in the coastline
which will cause the currents to cut in and erode the beach, he said.
Police Juror Sonny McGee expressed his concern that a solid dune will cause rainwater to be held behind it, leaving much of the Holly Beach community under water. Also, when storm surge or high tides come over the beach and run out through the access points, the current will scour deep holes, he said. He would like to see the parking and drainage issues addressed before the project goes to bid.
State Rep. Bob Hensgens was also present and said he would try to help get access to the beach, parking near the beach, and drainage for interior lots included in the project. He also said the completion of this sand nourishment project should help get funding for rock breakwaters through the CWPPRA program.
Rocks were not included at this time because there was not enough money for them.
CPRA Lafayette Office head Pat Landry said the team had spent the day driving along the beach with residents taking note of the areas of concern, and will
work to address the issues with the design team. "We don't want to build a great project and then create another problem," he said.