A marsh creation project at the edge of Big Branch Marsh started in April is already showing signs of progress.

Years of slow coastal erosion have led to a major loss of wetlands in the area. Hunters who have used the area their whole lives will attest to the loss, many reporting how they must constantly move their duck or deer blinds as the shoreline gets smaller.

In addition, Hurricane Katrina created an estimated 2,500 acres of open water out of the marshes, according to a study conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency in 2006.

(Use arrows above to view more photos)

Now, the goal is to rebuild 436 acres of marsh habitat in the open water behind the shoreline of Lake Pontchartrain, in a project sponsored by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources.

“We’re basically trying to simulate the way this area looked about 5,000 years ago,” said Danny Breaux, manager for three of the eight wildlife refuges in the Southeast Louisiana complex, including Big Branch.

Several birds that nest near mudflats and marshes have been spotted recently, many of which have not been seen in several years.

Among them are the black-necked stilt and the roseate spoonbill, a relative of the flamingo and on the threatened species list.

Five areas between Goose Point and Point Platte have been targeted, and Breaux estimates the project is about halfway to completion. Sediment is dredged from Lake Pontchartrain and pumped into a series of containment ponds, enclosed by earthen walls or berms, and planted with vegetation.

In addition, 114 acres of existing marsh will also be nourished with the dredged material, made up of heavy soil, clay and silt.

The berms help restrict the continued ingress and egress of the tides, most damaging to the coastal wetlands.

Breaux said they will remain in place for three years, and once the area is stabilized the walls will gradually be cut away.

The project is expected to be complete by the end of September or early October. One pumper is already operating around the clock to fill the containment areas, and another will be brought in to help speed the process.

The continued threat of hurricanes, however, can undo some of the progress that’s been made.

“Each major storm creates a little more pond and washes away more of the marsh,” said Breaux. “If we can hold off from having a big one for a little longer, we’ll be in good shape here.”