A Threatened Louisiana Icon
BY Development Director, Kayla Green
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LA DOTD) is beginning its plans to create a new Mississippi River South Bridge in Iberville Parish. The bridge would connect Louisiana Highway 1 on the west side of the river to Highway 30 in east Iberville.
The three proposed routes (marked in blue) for the new Mississippi River South Bridge. Route E-11-IV for Project MRB South GBR: LA 1 to LA 30 runs through the A.E. LeBlanc Forest property (marked in black) and would remove several centuries-old cypress trees. Construction would also permanently alter the thriving intact forest ecosystem.
Consultants hired by the LA DOTD originally had a list of 32 possible locations. The seven-member commission narrowed the list to three locations in May of 2022. One of the three possible locations would tear through one of the oldest and most beloved intact cypress forests in the area (link), called the A. E. LeBlanc Old-Growth Forest.
A. E. LeBlanc Old-Growth Forest Boundary
Cliff and Laura Comeaux, part owners of the A. E. LeBlanc Old-Growth Forest
The A. E. LeBlanc Old-Growth Forest is located in Sunshine, Louisiana (Iberville Parish). It has been in the Comeaux family for over 200 years and sixteen descendants of early Acadian settlers currently own the forest including Laura and Cliff Comeaux (see photo above). The forest is a member of the Old-Growth Forest Network’s Private Forest Registry and a registered Louisiana Natural Area as part of Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries’ Wildlife Diversity Program. There are large cypress specimens in the 60-acre forest, with conservative age estimates ranging from 90 to 360 years old. Many of the oldest specimens are over 220 years old, qualifying them as “Louisiana Purchase Cypress Legacy” trees.
Despite receiving these national and state recognitions, the A. E. LeBlanc Old-Growth Forest is under threat, with more than fifty centuries-old trees to be destroyed, if chosen as the final location for the new bridge.
Photo of A. E. LeBlanc Old-Growth Forest
Below is a letter written to the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development in opposition to the proposed route that would threaten the survival of this centuries-old family forest.
November 2023
Mr. Robert Lott
Assistant Environmental Engineer Administrator
Louisiana DOTD, Office of Engineering Environmental Section
P.O. Box 94245
Baton Rouge, LA 70804
Dear Mr. Lott,
This letter is in reference to the A. E. LeBlanc Forest Natural Area that is part of Iberville Parish Parcel 0400538300. I am in opposition to route E-11-IV for Project MRB South GBR: LA 1 to LA 30.
Here is why.
In June 2023, I had the opportunity to visit the 60-acre A. E. LeBlanc Old-Growth Forest in Sunshine, LA and see first-hand the awe-inspiring cathedral ceilings of bald cypresses towering over a rare and incredibly diverse ecosystem that has remained undisturbed by humans for centuries. It is unlike anything I have ever seen in southeast Louisiana, and it is why I am writing this letter in opposition to the proposed route E11-IV for Project MRB South GBR: LA 1 to LA 30.
On an individual basis, old-growth cypress is not hard to find in Louisiana, but entire intact forests of the ancient trees are extremely rare in the state. (Photo of A. E. LeBlanc Old-Growth Forest)
As you know, the bald cypress is a Louisiana icon and our official state tree. It is the tree that built New Orleans, erected Baton Rouge, and turned Louisiana into the prosperous developed state that 4.6 million people now proudly call home. It is also the oldest known wetland tree species on the planet and can regularly reach up to 600 years in age. Because of Louisiana’s vast delta network, bald cypress forests thrive in almost every natural environment this state has to offer. Our state is called the “Sportsman’s Paradise” and there is no other tree more important to our local wildlife than the bald cypress, especially older ones. Black bears, woodpeckers, warblers, wood ducks, and bats all nest in the hollows of large cypresses. The flat tops of older cypresses make exceptional nesting sites for our national bird, the bald eagle. I cannot think of a better symbol to represent the spirit of Louisiana’s inhabitants than the mighty bald cypress.
A. E. LeBlanc Old-Growth Forest
Only a hundred years ago Louisiana had the largest and oldest intact cypress forest in the entire country. But a combination of a growing population, demand for durable and superior building materials, and lack of foresight to leave at least some of our inherited old-growth cypress forests standing for future generations has left only a handful of them around today. For a tree that is considered the embodiment of Louisiana’s natural beauty, it would be a tragedy if we did not preserve one of the few remaining intact old-growth cypress forests in the state such as the A.E LeBlanc forest.
Other states like South Carolina and North Carolina worked to preserve these treasures. For example, South Carolina is home to the Congaree National Park which is dedicated to its vast old-growth bald cypress forests. Similarly, North Carolina’s privately owned Black River Preserve protects the oldest bald cypresses in the world including some that are over 2,600 years old.
Old-Growth Forest Network Founder, Dr. Joan Maloof, and Executive Director, Dr. Sarah Adloo, at Congaree National Park in South Carolina
Instead, Louisiana is proposing to destroy a 60-acre extremely rare 300+ year old bald cypress forest that has been carefully stewarded by Louisiana families for generations. At the same time, Louisiana is working hard to reestablish its bald cypress populations by spending nearly $17 million planting saplings for coastal forest restoration. Why would we both spend money to plant bald cypresses while simultaneously cutting cypress forests down?
This forest gives our state the opportunity to do what our ancestors could not. Let’s make Louisiana a haven for old-growth bald cypresses once more on both public and private property.
Photo of A.E. LeBlanc Forest
I urge you and others in your office to visit the A. E. LeBlanc Old-Growth Forest. I encourage you to see, feel, hear, and smell the thriving old-growth bald cypress ecosystem that still has centuries left to grow. This forest has stood for over 300 years and with your help it can stand for 300 more.
We have a duty to our descendants to leave this earth better than we found it. Let’s start by keeping the A. E. LeBlanc Old-Growth Forest standing. Future Louisianians will be proud you did.
Sincerely,
Kayla Green
Development Director, Old-Growth Forest Network
Louisiana Resident (2009-2021)
Loyola University New Orleans (Class of 2013)
Great Granddaughter of Dr. Martin Owen Miller (1894-1975), a ninth generation Louisianian
Additional resources on the Mississippi River Bridge project and history of old-growth cypress forests in Louisiana:
How Can You Help
Tell decision makers to abandon the bridge and road alternative known as E-11-IV (as part of the MRB South GBR: LA 1 to LA 30 Project), which would damage a rare old growth forest.
Link to Other letters of opposition written by A. E. LeBlanc Old-Growth Forest Owners and advocates
Please contact each of the following:
Governor Jeffrey Landry
Office of the Governor
PO Box 94004
Baton Rouge, LA, 70804
https://gov.louisiana.gov/index.cfm/form/home/4
Chris Daigle
Iberville Parish President
P.O. Box 389
Plaquemine, LA, 70765-0389
Cdaigle@ibervilleparish.com
Mr. Jerry Pitts
Federal Highway Administration, Louisiana Division
5304 Flanders Drive, Suite A
Baton Rouge, LA, 70808
jerry.pitts@dot.gov
Mr. Paul Vaught
Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LADOTD)
c/o Paul Vaught, Mississippi Bridge Project Manager
1201 Capitol Access Road
Baton Rouge, LA, 70802
paul.vaughtiii@la.gov
Ms. Nicole Hobson-Morris
Louisiana Division of Historic Preservation
P.O. Box 44247
Baton Rouge, LA, 70804
nmorris@crt.la.gov
Noel Ardoin
Environmental Administrator, LADOTD
1201 Capitol Access Road
Baton Rouge, LA, 70802
noel.ardoin@la.gov
Mr. Robert Lott
Assistant Environmental Engineer Administrator
Louisiana DOTD, Office of Engineering Environmental Section
P.O. Box 94245
Baton Rouge, LA 70804
Robert.Lott@la.gov
Atlas Technical Consultants
c/o Kara Moree
8440 Jefferson Hwy, Suite 400
Baton Rouge, LA, 70809
https://www.oneatlas.com/contact-us/
Louisiana Division, Federal Highway Administration
c/o Mary Stringfellow, Asset Programs Team Leader
5304 Flanders Drive, Suite A
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
mary.stringfellow@dot.gov
Louisiana Division, Federal Highway Administration
c/o Larry Breland, Environmental Specialist
5304 Flanders Drive, Suite A
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
larry.breland@dot.gov