Federal money sought for Leeville restoration work

Published: Wednesday, March 5, 2014 at 8:42 a.m. Last Modified: Wednesday, March 5, 2014 at 8:42 a.m.

A coastal restoration project aimed at an area of south Lafourche outside the levees is seeking federal support.

The East Leeville Marsh Restoration and Nourishment Project is one of several local projects vying for federal money this year through the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act, known as CWPPRA,

It would be the first restoration project aimed at the tiny fishing and oilfield hub in the wetland.

Todays Leeville is different from 100 years ago when the town bustled with trade in the shade of old oak trees. The hardwood, sprawling orchards and most of its population have been replaced by water and marsh.

Its the last standing in a series of lesser known population centers created as early Lafourche residents slowly retreated inland starting with the Hurricane of 1893, according to Paul Chiquet, branch administrator for the Lafourche Parish Public Library System. Chiquet curates a museum at the Galliano Library documenting the areas history.

The shrinking sliver of land that is todays Leeville sits about 10 miles south of the parishs ring levees. Flooding has become more frequent through the years, and today its home to a few dozen permanent residents.

Natural forces and industrial canals hastened the erosion of surrounding marshes. Water is always encroaching, submerging the towns cemeteries, and a few days of stiff wind can push water to the road in places, said Don Griffin, owner of Griffins Marina in Leeville.

Janet Rhodus, of the non-profit Launch Leeville organization nominated the restoration project during this years competition for CWPPRA money.

Generally, CWPPRAs task force allocates between $30 million and $50 million for construction of coastal restoration projects each year.

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Federal money sought for Leeville restoration work