By Nancy Thompson and Lexey Long 

Through its subsidiary, The Louisiana Land and Exploration Company LLC (LL&E), ConocoPhillips is the largest private wetlands owner in Louisiana. For decades, the company has practiced responsible stewardship of its coastal wetlands and has collaborated with public and nonprofit entities on projects designed to protect and restore Louisiana’s coast. Together with its partners, ConocoPhillips has advanced innovative solutions to coastal restoration that enhance habitats, support levee systems and protect communities. 

Working with Ducks Unlimited (DU) for many years, ConocoPhillips has donated more than $10 million, supporting nearly two dozen projects that have enhanced over 20,000 acres in Louisiana. Most recently, construction began on Phase II of the Island Road marsh terracing project on ConocoPhillips land in Terrebonne Parish just south of Pointe-Aux-Chenes. Marsh terraces are segmented ridges constructed in shallow, open water areas using local material to create emergent marsh. The terraces provide shoreline protection by slowing wave activity in open water to combat coastal erosion. Project construction will include approximately 18,000 linear feet of earthen terraces and will ultimately benefit approximately 375 acres of marsh. This project highlights the collaborative nature of effective coastal restoration projects. Project partners include DU, Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana’s Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA), the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Coastal Community Resilience Program and others. 

“The Island Road marsh terracing project is a perfect example of multiple entities coming to the table to make a big impact for Louisiana’s coast. It is this collaborative mindset that spurs action and ultimately improves the resiliency of our community,” said Coastal Wetlands Director John Harrington.

The Island Road project also features the work of two local innovative technology companies – Natrx, Inc. and ORA Estuaries. The marsh terraces will include 750 feet of oyster reef modules and oyster stakes specifically designed to provide habitat-positive shoreline protection that supports living reef ecosystems. The oyster reef modules and oyster stakes will create substrate for tens of thousands of oysters, which in turn, will stabilize the terraces, provide habitat for aquatic organisms and filter millions of gallons of water every day.

“We’re thrilled to partner with ConocoPhillips and Ducks Unlimited to deploy these innovative methods,” said Natrx, Inc. Chief Executive Officer Leonard Nelson. “ORA Estuaries has partnered with Natrx, Inc. to provide 3D-printed Cajun Coral modules and advanced software tools to maximize performance and environmental benefits, and with Danos LLC to provide safe logistics and installation. Working with great partners, we can push the limits on what happens when you let nature do the work.”

Martin Ecosystems of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, will also provide 2,250 square feet of “EcoShield” material that will be applied to selected terrace areas as an erosion control measure. 

The location of the Island Road marsh terracing project was carefully selected to complement other restoration and protection efforts nearby, including work by the Terrebonne Levee and Conservation District, Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government, CPRA, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

“Two heads are always better than one, and when you have multiple entities involved from the beginning, the project has the ability to grow into something even larger. Ultimately, it is our communities that benefit from this approach,” said Terrebonne Parish President Gordon Dove.

Phase I of the Island Road marsh terracing project was completed in 2015. Phase II is planned for completion in the early fall of 2021.