WHAT: From
the air, the V-shaped terraces, planted with plugs of smooth cordgrass,
looklike duck wings. About 27 linear miles of these terraces now exist
to buffer winds and waves and stop wetland erosion, thus saving essential
habitat for migratory birds, American alligators, and mottled ducks.
About 25 to 35 square miles
of the Louisiana Coast’s wetlands are being replaced each year
by open water habitat. This innovative duck wing project, begun on
the East Cove Unit of Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge has
been successful in restoring wetlands and has expanded to other public
and private lands in the area.
WHO: Representing
the President of the United States and the Coastal America Partnership
(12 Federal Departments and the Executive Office of the President),
Emil Frankel, Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy, U.S.
Department of
Transportation, presents awards to Cameron Creole Watershed –
Marsh Terracing Project, a coalition of 16 local, state, federal,
and private organizations. Dr. Kam Movassaghi, the Louisiana Secretary
of the Department of Transportation and Development, Dr. Curtis Hopkins
of Ducks Unlimited, and senior officials from federal and state environmental
agencies will be providing remarks.
Some of the organizations
involved in the Project include the Louisiana Department ofTransportation
and Development, the Federal Highway Administration, the Cameron Parish
Police Jury, Ducks Unlimited, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife
and Fisheries, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Miami Corporation,
North American Land Company, and Shell Oil Company Foundation.
WHEN: Award
ceremony will occur on October 20, 2003, 1 p.m. At 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.,
boattours of the project are available for the press. The 10 a.m.
tour includes senior state and federal officials. Officials are available
for interviews with the press at both of these times.
WHERE:
Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge, Bell City, Louisiana.
DIRECTIONS: South of Lake Charles on LA
Highway 27, the refuge is eleven miles south of Holmwood, LA.For a
map, please visit the website: http://cameronprairie.fws.gov/cameron_map.html
