WASHINGTON–U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) announced $1.4 million will be awarded to the EPA’s Lake Pontchartrain Basin Restoration Program to restore the ecological health of the Pontchartrain Basin by developing and funding restoration projects. Due to Cassidy’s efforts, Congress increased funding for the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Restoration Program for FY2020 from $948,000 to $1.4 million, the first increase in nearly a decade.
“The impact of the opening of the Bonnet Carré spillway on fisheries in Lake Pontchartrain has been devastating. This increased funding is timely, and will help fisheries recover,” said Dr. Cassidy.
The Lake Pontchartrain Basin Restoration Program focuses on reducing pollution and providing education and outreach to improve water quality in the Lake Pontchartrain Basin.
Cassidy announced approvalof Louisiana fisheries emergency declaration earlier this month by Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross.
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