LDWF Reef Building (Cultch Planting) Projects in the Public Oyster Seed Grounds

2007 Public Ground Rehabilitation Activities

Black Bay Cultch Plant (Plaquemines Parish) (map)

• Project dates: May 8-19, 2007
• Project location: Northeast of Lonesome Island (sunken marsh island)
• Project size: Approximately 200 acres
  Material utilized: Size #57 limestone rock (approx. 1.5" across widest diameter)
• Amount of material planted: 32,235 cubic yards (~ 41,905 tons)
  Contractor: Pontchartrain Material Corporation (New Orleans, LA)
  Project cost: $1,725,830
• Planting methods: High-pressure water spray and clam bucket utilized to spread a thin layer of cultch material on water bottoms
• Equipment used: 36 barge-loads of limestone, 4 tug boats, 1 spray/crane barge, 1 quarter barge (to house 10 contractor employees on-site)
• Typical work day: Begin at 6:30 a.m. and unload ~ 4 barge-loads by 6:30 p.m.
  

Mississippi Sound Cultch Plant (St.Bernard Parish) (map)

• Project dates: June 4 - June 13, 2007
• Project location: Northwest of Turkey Bayou, northeast of 3-Mile Pass
• Project size: Approximately 200 acres
  Material utilized: Size #57 limestone rock (approx. 1.5" across widest diameter)
• Amount of material planted: 30,000 cubic yards (~ 39,000 tons)
  Contractor: Pontchartrain Material Corporation (New Orleans, LA)
• Project cost: $1,610,000
• Planting methods: High-pressure water spray and clam bucket utilized to spread a
  thin layer of cultch material on water bottoms
• Equipment used: : 36 barge-loads of limestone, 4 tug boats, 1 spray/crane barge, 1 quarter barge (to house 10 contractor employees on-site)
• Typical work day: Begin at 6:30 a.m. and unload ~ 4 barge-loads by 6:30 p.m.

2008 Public Ground Rehabilitation Activies

Hackberry Bay Cultch Plant (Lafourche/Jefferson Parish) (map)

• Project dates: May 20 - 25, 2008
• Project location: Hackberry Bay
• Project size: Approximately 50 acres
  Material utilized: Approximately 75% Size #57 limestone rock, approximately 15% crushed concrete, and approximately 10% clean oyster shells
• Amount of material planted: 10,171.75 cubic yards (~ 13,223 tons)
  Contractor: Pontchartrain Material Corporation (New Orleans, LA)
• Project cost: $558,429.00
• Planting methods: High-pressure water spray and clam bucket utilized to spread a thin layer of cultch material on water bottoms
  Equipment used: 11 barge-loads of cultch material, 3 tug boats, 1 spray/crane barge
• Typical work day: Begin at 6:30 a.m. and unload ~ 3-4 barge-loads by 6:30 p.m.

• Projects are funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (grant # NA06NMF4540319) through the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission (sub-award # OR-RRR-020-2006-01) as part of the recent $53 million federal fisheries rehabilitation appropriation for Louisiana in the wakes of the 2005 hurricanes. Additional projects planned for the $53M include oyster rehabilitation on private oyster leases, debris removal on traditional fishing grounds, and cooperative research to monitor recovery of fishery resources impacted by the hurricanes of 2005.
  
  
  For more information, contact Patrick Banks at 225.765.2370 or pbanks@wlf.louisiana.gov.