Atchafalaya River Coastal Hub (ARCH) Strategic Plan Released

The Atchafalaya River Coastal Hub (ARCH) Strategic Plan is now complete — and St. Mary Parish is ready to activate. This community-driven roadmap outlines bold strategies for building long-term resilience, protecting critical infrastructure, and unlocking new opportunities for economic and environmental innovation in coastal Louisiana.

What’s New:

Strategic Plan Completed

After months of collaboration with community members, regional experts, and public partners, the ARCH Plan is officially finished.

Ready for Action

With a clear implementation framework in place, St. Mary Parish and its partners are now preparing to put the plan into motion.

Community-Led Vision

This plan reflects the voices, values, and priorities of our people — including input from local businesses, civic leaders, and families who call the Atchafalaya Basin home.

Download the Full ARCH Strategic Plan:

Click here to view the plan (PDF)

Primary Source: The 1954 Old River Control Report

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers report that recommended controlling the Old and Atchafalaya Rivers and established the 1950 flow proportions as the basis for future control.
Click here to view House Document 478 (PDF)

What the ARCH Plan Covers:

Development of a Resilience Hub + Lab along the Atchafalaya River
Strategies to mitigate flood risks and climate impacts
Workforce development opportunities tied to coastal restoration
Infrastructure investments for long-term safety and sustainability
Tools to engage youth, educate the public, and foster innovation

Why This Matters for St. Mary Parish:

From Morgan City to Franklin, our communities sit at the frontlines of climate and coastal challenges. The ARCH Plan provides a proactive, community-led framework to face these challenges head-on — turning risks into opportunities for growth, investment, and resilience.

Join the Movement:

This is just the beginning. With the plan complete, we’re moving into community activation mode — and we want you to be part of it.

Want to get involved? Email us at info@stmaryexcel.com to receive updates or learn how you can support implementation efforts.