NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) – The Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation (LPBF) is beginning to move 17,000 tons of sand from the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal to Pontchartrain Beach. The sand will replenish the beach to provide a recreational area along Lake Pontchartrain.
The LPBF has spent many years working to improve the lake’s water quality to make it safe for swimming. It is one of the largest bodies of water in the country to be taken off the EPA’s Impaired Waterbodies list.
Michael Liebaert, LPBF’s Pontchartrain Beach Restoration committee chair, said it will take 18 working days and 600 tandem trailer dump truck loads to move the sand the three miles to Pontchartrain Beach. The sand will be stored at the beach staging sites above the shoreline until the group gets permits to spread the sand along the beach.
The Port of New Orleans allowed the restoration committee to store the sand on port property while the group raised funds to move the sand.
“We are very happy to have played a part in helping to restore the historic Pontchartrain Beach for recreational use,” said Port of New Orleans President and CEO Gary LaGrange. “It’s a great asset for the city and beyond.”
Many local corporations and foundations have made contributions that helped reach the goal of $130,000 to purchase and move the sand. Gulf Coast Bank, The Azby Fund, Restore the Earth Foundation, the Ella West Freeman Foundation and Kass Brothers, Inc. are among the major donors. Public support of the beach restoration project has been overwhelmingly positive, and many contributions were made by residents from the greater New Orleans region, committee members said.
The next phase of the restoration includes major infrastructure improvements to make the beach safe for recreational activities. An estimated $500,000 will be needed for this phase. The master planning process is under way to determine which amenities will be included in the overall restoration.
This summer, LPBF will open Pontchartrain Beach for an event to reintroduce the public to the beach, celebrate the sand and enjoy the lake.