Joint Public-Private Effort Announced To Help Restore Coastal Marine Habitats

Governor Jindal announces a new public-private partnership to help revitalize Louisiana's coastal marine habitat.Mr. Jindal says Shell Oil has committed $1.5-million the Coastal Conservation Association to build artificial reefs. The plan is to build two man-made reefs--using thousands of tons of limestone. Mr. Jindal says the project is part of a long-term commitment to restore and preserve the beauty of Louisiana coastal habitats. He says Independence Island--near Grand Isle--is the location. Independence Island was once a popular sport fishing destination, but has been largely lost to coastal erosion and subsidence.  The project is being done with cooperation of state Wildlife & Fisheries. The Governor says the articial reef project is a case of "if you build it, they will come.