Parish President Matthew Jewell, Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) officials, Parish Council members, and local Chevron representatives gathered Monday, March 16, 2026, to celebrate the completion of the Sunset Pump Station Automatic Bar Screen Cleaners Project, a major drainage improvement for the Bayou Gauche area.
The project installed seven automatic stainless steel bar screen cleaners that continuously remove debris before it reaches the pumps, helping water move more efficiently through the system and improving safety and reliability at the station. The screens now allow the system to handle a total of 1,680 cubic feet per second while filtering debris from the waterway.
“We are excited to unveil significant upgrades at the Sunset Pumpstation thanks to a generous land donation from Chevron and funding collaboration from CPRA,” said Parish President Matthew Jewell. “This project provides additional protection for residents of Bayou Gauche and illustrates our continued commitment to making lasting improvements to our critical infrastructure parishwide.”
“We’re proud to partner with St. Charles Parish and help fund projects like the Sunset Pump Station Improvements, strengthening local drainage and reducing flood risk for coastal communities,” said CPRA Executive Director Michael Hare. “Investments in modern infrastructure like these help systems operate more efficiently during heavy rainfall and storms while supporting the goals of Louisiana’s Coastal Master Plan.”
Additional improvements included widening the Crawford Canal and expanding the sump area by 2.74 acres to improve water flow to the pumps. Approximately 59,380 cubic yards of material were removed to increase the system’s overall drainage capacity. A 255-foot Waskey deck bridge was also constructed to allow maintenance vehicles safe access to the pump station. The land adjacent to the pump station that was used to increase the width of the Crawford Canal and sump area was donated to St. Charles Parish in 2024 by Chevron and was a key component to making this improvement before the forthcoming engine upgrade at the station.
“Chevron is proud to continue to work alongside St. Charles Parish on projects that protect and benefit local communities,” said Jeremy Haken, Chevron Public Affairs Manager. “These enhancements show us what’s possible when industry and local governments come together with a shared focus on safety, reliability, and the long‑term well‑being of residents."
The project also included electrical upgrades and installation of a 200-kilowatt backup generator capable of keeping the station operational for at least 72 hours during power outages. The improvements are part of the West Bank Hurricane Protection and Upper Barataria Risk Reduction System and are included in the 2023 CPRA Coastal Master Plan. The total project cost was $12,594,880, including $6 million provided by CPRA.
