That pipeline crossed four levees and goes under several roadways, which required microtunneling to get the 42-in.-dia casing pipe underneath that would hold the 30-in.-dia dredge carrier pipe, says Auernhamer. The novel project also involves pumping materials a total of 22 miles, the longest distance ever attempted by the firm. On Scofield Island, a barrier island located eight miles offshore of Buras, La., shoreline restoration involves direct pumping of dredged materials from the Mississippi River, says Steve Auernhamer, vice president and Gulf area manager at Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Co. "Some large barrier island beach nourishment projects have been significant this year," he says. Kirkpatrick says Louisiana also awarded close to $700 million of work in the past 12 months. While the settlement cash on criminal fines won't trickle down until litigation is complete, projects are under way at the state level. That will largely fund restoration projects in response to damage from the spill, he says, adding that work will include river diversions, barrier island and shoreline restoration, marsh planning, some channel stabilization and some protection work. Louisiana's annual plan proposes about $700 million of work for the fiscal year beginning on July 1, Kirkpatrick points out. We saw a lot of oil wash up from Louisiana to the Florida line after Hurricane Isaac, and there's no reason to think that future storms won't continue to churn oil onto shore." She adds that "the challenge is to begin restoration while we are still uncertain about the ultimate impacts to the coastal and marine environment." According to Kraft, "hurricanes add a dimension of uncertainty to this entire endeavor.
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