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A public meeting is set for 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23, at Garyville Magnet to discuss the upcoming river reintroduction into Maurepas Swamp Project and the West Shore Lake Pontchartrain.

The Maurepas Swamp, located west of Lake Pontchartrain, was once naturally connected to the Mississippi River and received a steady freshwater input that maintained a healthy ecosystem. However, the river’s levees have disconnected the swamp, leading to degradation, diminishing fish and wildlife populations, and decreased plant life where trees once thrived.

The river reintroduction will divert some freshwater flow from the Mississippi River back into the swamp, reconnecting it to the vital source and nutrients that once supported it. Once complete, the freshwater diversion will restore the natural swamp hydrology, providing wildlife and vegetation with the nutrients necessary to thrive.

The project will benefit more than 45,000 acres of coastal marsh, forests, and wetlands in Ascension, Livingston, St. James, and St. John the Baptist parishes.

Over four years the communities of Mt. Airy and Garyville will observe the construction of the Maurepas Swamp and West Shore Lake Pontchartrain Projects. The MSP will conect the Mississippi River starting at River Road just west of Marigold Street, then heading north towards the intersection of U.S. 61 and La. 54, ultimately following Hope Canal to reconnect the Mississippi River to the swamp. The final reaches of the WSLP levee will follow the same alignment and north of U.S. 61
connect to the portions of the WSLP project under construction to complete the 17 miles flood control system protecting communities from Mt. Airy to LaPlace.

This open house meeting is intended to inform the public of both projects, outline a schedule for construction activities, and answer any questions from members of the communities and businesses in the area. Garyville Magnet is located at 240 La. 54 in Garyville.