Queen Bess Island, in extreme south western Barataria Bay, is a shell of her former self. The sandy outcropping is barely recognizable these days.
It was here 50-years ago the restoration of Louisiana's population of brown pelicans began. The state bird was driven to the point of extinction by DDT pollution. Nesting and habitat for them was established and since the pelican thrived.
According to the Times-Picayune/New Orleans Advocate, only five acres of surface suitable for pelican nesting remains out of an island once 37 acres in size.
Now, Queen Bess Island is about to start a new chapter. The breakwater around the mostly eroded sandbar island is set to be re-enforced and shored up with fresh boulders. The boulders will create a lagoon for the island. Fresh sand will be imported to raise the island's elevation and fill in areas washed away by Hurricane Katrina and storm surges.
The aim is to establish a larger and more welcoming birthing environment for pelicans and a calm lagoon for young pelicans to learn to swim and fish. Queen Bess Island is home to 15-20% of the state's pelican nests. Improving the third largest rookery for the pelican will ensure continued population growth.
The price tag for restoration efforts is tabbed at nearly $10-million. The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority recently awarded the contract to restore Queen Bess Island to Pontchartrain Partners. The money comes from the settlement of the BP oil spill. Construction will get underway in August or September and wrap up ahead of the nesting season in February.