"The Bayou Sauvage Urban National Wildlife Refuge is one of the City’s great natural resources, preserving our precious coastal ecosystems,” said Mayor LaToya Cantrell. “These new resources will develop a plan forward to connect our people with the vast natural wonders and recreational opportunities found within the Refuge’s 27,000 acres. Thank you to the Regional Planning Commission for partnering with our Department of Public Works to secure these valuable funds and helping improve and strengthen our resilience as a city." 

“I am pleased to learn of the recent award from the Federal Lands Access Program to the Bayou Savage Urban National Wildlife Refuge,” said District E Councilmember Oliver Thomas. “Funding a study aimed at improving access to this site will go a long way towards providing the citizens of District E with the ability to enjoy this beautiful, natural resource.”   

The Federal Lands Access Program is one of dozens of programs receiving additional funds from the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act (IIJA), also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The program seeks to improve transportation facilities and access to and within Federal lands, such as the National Wildlife Refuge system. 

“I’m excited to partner with the City of New Orleans to announce $269,000 which will provide residents with improved recreational opportunities within the Bayou Sauvage Urban National Wildlife Refuge,” said Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. “As the largest urban refuge in the nation, this funding is vital to increasing Louisianans access to one of the last remaining marsh areas adjacent to Lakes Pontchartrain and Borgne.” 

Development of the Access Improvement Plan will identify needed transportation enhancements both to and within Bayou Sauvage, seeking to address several specific needs, including improving multimodal access and safety, increasing connections to existing transportation networks, increasing access for recreational activities, improving opportunities for economic revitalization and enhancing wildlife habitats and climate resilience. 

“The Regional Planning Commission, in partnership with the City of New Orleans, is proud to be a recipient of a Federal Lands Access Program award,” said RPC Executive Director Jeffrey W. Roesel. “This grant will help ensure that our residents have better opportunities to access, learn from and enjoy Bayou Sauvage Urban National Wildlife Refuge, a nationally unique wonder of nature that our region is blessed with right in our own backyard.”