The Science and Policy of The Science and Policy of Louisiana Coastal EcosystemLouisiana Coastal Ecosystem

Restoration Restoration

Coastal Land LossCoastal Land Loss

1.2 million acres (1,875 square miles) of land 1.2 million acres (1,875 square miles) of land since the 1930’s. since the 1930’s.

Primarily caused by imbalance between Primarily caused by imbalance between sediment deposition by the Mississippi River and sediment deposition by the Mississippi River and its distributaries, and sediment loss due to its distributaries, and sediment loss due to subsidence and erosion. subsidence and erosion.

Largely the result of human activities.Largely the result of human activities.– Changes in the hydrologic processesChanges in the hydrologic processes

The problem is compounded by global warming.The problem is compounded by global warming.

EnvironmentalEnvironmental– Loss of habitat for many Loss of habitat for many

estuarine and terrestrial estuarine and terrestrial species.species.

– Implications for food webs. Implications for food webs.

Hurricane protectionHurricane protection– Storm surge reductionStorm surge reduction– Reduced pressure on Reduced pressure on

levees.levees.

EconomicEconomic– Collapse of FisheriesCollapse of Fisheries– $100 Billion in existing $100 Billion in existing

infrastructure.infrastructure.– Tourism industryTourism industry

Consequences of Coastal Land LossConsequences of Coastal Land Loss

Management StrategiesManagement Strategies

Vegetation planting Vegetation planting

Beneficial use of dredged material (BUDM Beneficial use of dredged material (BUDM programs). programs).

FreshwaterFreshwater

diversion projects. diversion projects.

Mississippi River Mississippi River

Diversion projects Diversion projects

Current Legislation ProcessCurrent Legislation Process

1990 - Coastal Wetlands Planning, 1990 - Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act (CWPPRA Protection and Restoration Act (CWPPRA or the Breaux Act) or the Breaux Act)

1998 - Coast 2050 report1998 - Coast 2050 report

Nov. 2004 - LCA Ecosystem Restoration Nov. 2004 - LCA Ecosystem Restoration Study Study

April 2005 – ‘Coastal Area Restoration Bill’ April 2005 – ‘Coastal Area Restoration Bill’ and ‘Together-Immediately Defeating and ‘Together-Immediately Defeating Erosion Act of 2005’ (Sen. Vitter)Erosion Act of 2005’ (Sen. Vitter)

Coastal Area Restoration Bill Coastal Area Restoration Bill – ““In General – The Secretary may carry out a program for ecosystem In General – The Secretary may carry out a program for ecosystem

restoration, Louisiana Coastal Area, Louisiana, substantially in accordance restoration, Louisiana Coastal Area, Louisiana, substantially in accordance

with the report of the Chief of Engineers, dated January 31, 2005.”with the report of the Chief of Engineers, dated January 31, 2005.”

Together-Immediately Defeating Erosion Act Together-Immediately Defeating Erosion Act of 2005of 2005– seeks to “encourage Federal agencies to carry out comprehensive, seeks to “encourage Federal agencies to carry out comprehensive,

interagency projects relating to the conservation, protection, and interagency projects relating to the conservation, protection, and restoration of the coastal area of the State of Louisiana. restoration of the coastal area of the State of Louisiana.

Points of DisputePoints of Dispute

Not enough action. The wetlands are Not enough action. The wetlands are being “studied to death” being “studied to death”

Funding.Funding.

Impacts on water quality Impacts on water quality

Impact on fisheries Impact on fisheries

The structure of the Science and The structure of the Science and Technology Program Technology Program

The involvement of the USACE The involvement of the USACE

ConclusionsConclusions