McNeese State University has received a $334,540 grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce to fund the Chenier Plain Sustainability Initiative to study improved coastal restoration for Southwest Louisiana. The grant initiative was announced this week by U.S. Rep. Charles W. Boustany Jr. The study will be implemented through McNeese's Louisiana Environmental Research Center.

According to Janet Woolman, director of research services and sponsored programs at McNeese, the center has conducted basic research, accumulated and disseminated information and helped create awareness through education of environmental issues and concepts related to wetlands restoration/remediation since its creation in 1990 by the Louisiana Board of Regents.

"Historically, LERC studies and research efforts have been directed at wetland restoration, ecology, and the environmental effects of oil spills," said Woolman. "Currently, in order to implement Louisiana's Comprehensive Master Plan for a Sustainable Coast, the focus is shifting to better monitor and research environmental issues and concepts related to wetlands restoration/remediation with a primary emphasis on the Chenier Plain. Congressman Boustany recognizes that the Louisiana coastal plain landscape is critical to the ecological and economic diversity of Louisiana and to the United States. With Boustany's support, McNeese is excited about the opportunity to continue the work already underway to conserve Louisiana ecotypes."

Woolman said both the Chenier Plain and the Coastal Prairie are critical habitats for the environmental and economic security of Louisiana.

"The Chenier Plain marshes provide storm surge protection for Southwest Louisiana as well as Southeast Texas. The Chenier Plain runs from Vermilion Bay to Galveston Bay. Building and protecting these marshes require the conservation of coastal prairie, or headwaters, and the preservation of this unique and delicate ecosystem from a landscape perspective," she explained.

"As evidenced by the devastating effects of Hurricane Rita in 2005, the Chenier Plain is a very delicate ecosystem. This ecosystem is home to facilities necessary to the sustainability of the nation such as oil and gas production, petroleum-chemical industry, commerce and shipping, and natural resources."

Woolman said to meet this demanding challenge McNeese is stepping forward to spearhead this collaborative grassroots effort. "McNeese will continue to work with organizations like the Coastal Plain Conservancy and the Louisiana Native Plant Initiative to re-establish natural plant communities and conserve Louisiana ecotypes, as well as the state, federal and non-governmental agencies and the many private landowners of the coastal plain landscape of Louisiana and Texas that are at the forefront of storm defense."

"We are running against the clock as each year another hurricane season brings the potential for a devastating new storm like Hurricane Rita," Boustany said. "I am committed to a long-term solution and funding to rebuild our coastline. It's critical that we do it right the first time, and that's what this grant will help ensure."