News Release

South Louisiana national parks receive $29M for Hurricane Ida recovery

Date: February 15, 2022
Contact: William Cheek, 504-382-4954

NEW ORLEANS – The National Park Service (NPS) today announced $29 million in emergency funding assistance for Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve and New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park (parks) to help with recovery efforts due to Hurricane Ida.

Priority projects underway include the installation of new roofs, mold remediation, wastewater treatment plant repairs, electrical system installation, doors, windows, flooring and interior wall repairs. The funding also provides for the rebuilding of three Barataria Preserve trails at Bayou Coquille, Marsh Overlook and the visitor center. Projects are expected to be completed in 2025.

“We are grateful for this opportunity to address pressing infrastructure needs and restore visitor services,” said Rebecca Lasell, acting superintendent, Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve and New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park. “The funding allows us to incorporate sustainable design into the recovery projects to help promote long-term resiliency in the face of future storms. Our work will take time and we appreciate your patience as we rebuild.” 

These projects— and others in more than 50 national parks across the Caribbean and southeastern United States— are supported by $229 million in supplemental funds allocated through the Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act (Public Law 117-43) for response to and defense against the effects of wildfires, hurricanes and other natural disasters which occurred from 2019 to 2021.

For details and updates on construction projects and park operations, visit: www.nps.gov/jela and www.nps.gov/jazz and social media channels: Jean Lafitte Facebook, Jazz NHP Facebook, and Jean Lafitte Twitter.