Pallet is lowered into Prien Lake.
Pallet moved by boat, anchored to lake bottom near shore.
CCA LA &
Phillips 66
Expand “Floating Islands" near Prien Lake The Coastal Conservation Association of Louisiana’s Lake Charles Chapter, Phillips 66, Martin Ecosystems and local students from Pearl Watson Elementary, LaGrange High School, Westlake High School and Episcopal Day School teamed up last month to help rebuild the coastline near Prien Lake with a Floating Islands installation. Volunteers from Phillips 66 joined local CCA chapter volunteers and more than 100 students at Prien Lake Park to build approximately 2,000 square feet of new wetland island habitat and place them in the water. After each “island” was planted, it was placed in the lake in and towed to the nearby installation location. Each 7.5 x 19.5 foot island contains 120 plants and were placed endto-end and anchored to the water bottom. Roughly 1,500 native plants, including seashore paspalum and smooth cord grass, were installed. This technology allows these
CCA’s Lake Charles Chapter and conservation partners join with local students to combat coastal erosion and create new marsh
plants to take root in the water bottom while providing protection to the existing shoreline from the natural elements. This is the third large-scale habitat partnership between Phillips 66 and CCA in recent years. In 2018, the two groups worked together to expand the Brad Vincent Artificial Reef in Calcasieu Lake. In 2019, CCA and Phillips 66 partnered on a floating islands marsh grass project in Prien Lake. This year, the groups expanded the floating islands project, doubling the size. “Environmental stewardship is a commitment essential to Phillips 66’s vision of providing energy and improving lives,” said Jolie Rhinehart, Phillips 66 Lake Charles Manufacturing Complex General Manager. “Our employees are excited to volunteer to rebuild our coastline with innovative technology, fortifying marshland and conserving critical habitat.”
CCA Louisiana Executive Director David Cresson echoed Rhinehart’s sentiments. “Over the past decade, building and enhancing marine habitats has become a major component of CCA’s work across Louisiana, and it simply would not be possible without incredible partners like Phillips 66,” said Cresson. “Their leadership in the community and on the coast has been evident through their commitment to projects like this, and we appreciate the opportunity to work with them in building this new habitat.” Funding for the Lake Charles project was provided through a $100,000 philanthropic donation from Phillips 66. In-kind services for the project were provided by the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury and Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Department. The Stream Family donated the property and high salinity grass for the floating islands.
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