Wetlands development nears completion

As part of the site development process at Cameron LNG, the company has been able to offset all of the facility’s impact to nearby wetlands. This past March, Cameron LNG reached an important milestone at the site when workers completed the placement of several million cubic yards of dredged materials needed to create a new wetlands area.

Working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, state and federal agencies, and local landowners, the team identified areas best suited to create these wetlands. The dredge material was placed in open water areas located approximately 2 miles southwest of the terminal site at elevations that will ultimately transition into a functional marsh.

More is better

Based on original projections of the number of acres the facility potentially would displace, Cameron LNG was required to create a minimum of 55 acres of wetlands. However, through design changes and concerted planning efforts, the project team has been able to reduce the site footprint acreage by about 10%. Additionally, Cameron LNG will not only meet its commitment to create the 55-acre wetlands area, but will increase this acreage significantly.

“Cameron LNG expects to exceed our wetland plan commitments by creating approximately double the required amount of wetlands and functional marsh,” says J.D. Morris, permitting & compliance manager for the project. “Due to the size of the marine berth, more than enough material was available for placement.”

During the next several years, this dredged material will settle. As early as 2008, the project team will work closely with agency officials to begin planting wetland grasses, a first step to creating a mature marshland. It may take several years before the acreage assimilates all the characteristics necessary to support native wildlife and waterfowl.

“We know that helping to re-establish the marshland is an important priority for the Parish,” continued Morris. “We are looking forward to working alongside these agencies to create this much needed habitat.”