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Preliminary Report on the Performance of the New Orleans Levee Systems in Hurricane Katrina on August 29, 2005
Preliminary Report on the Performance of the New Orleans Levee Systems in Hurricane Katrina on August 29, 2005 by R.B. Seed, P.G. Nicholson, R.A. Dalrymple, J. Battjes, R.G. Bea, G. Boutwell, J.D. Bray, B. D. Collins, L.F. Harder, J.R. Headland, M. Inamine, R.E. Kayen, R. Kuhr, J. M. Pestana, R. Sanders, F. Silva-Tulla, R. Storesund, S. Tanaka, J. Wartman, T. F. Wolff, L. Wooten and T. Zimmie Preliminary findings from field investigations and associated studies performed by teams from the University of California at Berkeley and the American Society of Civil Engineers, as well as a number of cooperating engineers and scientists, shortly after the hurricane. Report No. UCB/CITRIS – 05/01 November 2, 2005 New Orleans Levee Systems Hurricane Katrina August 29, 2005 This project was supported, in part, by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. CMS-0413327. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this report are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Foundation. This report contains the observations and findings of a joint investigation between independent teams of professional engineers with a wide array of expertise. The materials contained herein are the observations and professional opinions of these individuals, and does not necessarily reflect the opinions or endorsement of ASCE or any other group or agency, Table of Contents i November 2, 2005 New Orleans Levee Systems Hurricane Katrina August 29, 2005 Table of Contents Executive Summary ...……………………………………………………………… iv Chapter 1: Introduction and Overview 1.1 Introduction ………………………………………………………………... 1-1 1.2 Hurricane Katrina …………………………………………………………. -
Flooding Concerns on the Lower Pearl River Near Walkiah Bluff
Flood Assessment and Management Flooding Concerns on the Lower Pearl River Near Walkiah Bluff Amanda L. Roberts, National Weather Service Walkiah Bluff is located in south Mississippi on the East Pearl River near Wilson Slough and the divergence of the Pearl River into the East and West Pearl Rivers. Approximately 175 residents own homes on or near the East Pearl River near Walkiah Bluff, MS. Flooding often occurs in the Walkiah Bluff area whenever flooding occurs upstream on the Pearl River, thus heightening concerns of local citizens. The Lower Mississippi River Forecast Center (LMRFC) has flood forecasting responsibility in this area, however, Walkiah Bluff is not currently an official forecast point. Historical data from the period of record was utilized to develop flood forecasting guidance tools for the Walkiah Bluff area. Flood events were analyzed to obtain a better understanding of how Walkiah Bluff reacts in relationship to upstream flooding on the Pearl River at Bogalusa, LA and the Bogue Chitto River at Bush, LA. As- sessments were also made regarding how the Pearl River at Pearl River, LA reacts in association with upstream flooding at Walkiah Bluff and Bush. The effects of the Bogue Chitto River on the crest at Walkiah Bluff, MS are complicated due to numerous sloughs and bayous that interconnect the two channels. It is difficult to accurately interpolate any affects from the Bogue Chitto by utilizing a crest to crest curve for Bogalusa to Walkiah Bluff. However, because the crest at Pearl River, LA is based upon water routed from both Bogalusa and Bush, the LMRFC forecast for Pearl River, LA can be utilized along with the crest to crest curve for Walkiah Bluff to Pearl River, LA to essentially back-forecast the crest at Walkiah Bluff. -
COMMON BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN (Tursiops Truncatus Truncatus) Mississippi Sound, Lake Borgne, Bay Boudreau Stock
May 2015 COMMON BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN (Tursiops truncatus truncatus) Mississippi Sound, Lake Borgne, Bay Boudreau Stock NOTE – NMFS is in the process of writing individual stock assessment reports for each of the 31 bay, sound and estuary stocks of common bottlenose dolphins in the Gulf of Mexico. Until this effort is completed and 31 individual reports are available, some of the basic information presented in this report will also be included in the report: “Northern Gulf of Mexico Bay, Sound and Estuary Stocks”. STOCK DEFINITION AND GEOGRAPHIC RANGE Common bottlenose dolphins are distributed throughout the bays, sounds and estuaries of the northern Gulf of Mexico (Mullin 1988). Long-term (year-round, multi-year) residency by at least some individuals has been reported from nearly every site where photographic identification (photo-ID) or tagging studies have been conducted in the Gulf of Mexico (e.g., Irvine and Wells 1972; Shane 1977; Gruber 1981; Irvine et al. 1981; Wells 1986; Wells et al. 1987; Scott et al. 1990; Shane 1990; Wells 1991; Bräger 1993; Bräger et al. 1994; Fertl 1994; Wells et al. 1996a,b; Wells et al. 1997; Weller 1998; Maze and Wrsig 1999; Lynn and Wrsig 2002; Wells 2003; Hubard et al. 2004; Irwin and Wrsig 2004; Shane 2004; Balmer et al. 2008; Urian et al. 2009; Bassos-Hull et al. 2013). In many cases, residents predominantly use the bay, sound or estuary waters, with limited movements through passes to the Gulf of Mexico (Shane 1977; Shane 1990; Gruber 1981; Irvine et al. 1981; Shane 1990; Maze and Würsig 1999; Lynn and Würsig 2002; Fazioli et al. -
Supplemental Environmental Assessment #269-A: Mississippi River Gulf Outlet, South of Lake Borgne, Additional Disposal Areas
PO-32 Ph2 request item #4f ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT LAKE BORGNE - MRGO SHORELINE PROTECTION PROJECT ST BERNARD PARISH, LOUISIANA EA #402 INTRODUCTION The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), New Orleans District (CEMVN) prepared Environmental Assessment #402 (EA #402) to evaluate the potential impacts associated with the proposed Lake Borgne – Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MRGO) Shoreline Protection Project. EA #402 was prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and the Council on Environmental Quality’s Regulations (40 CFR 1500-1508), as reflected in the USACE Engineering Regulation, ER 200-2-2. PURPOSE AND NEED FOR THE PROPOSED ACTION The purpose of the proposed action is to protect salt marsh from erosion, between Lake Borgne and the MRGO in the vicinity of Shell Beach and Hopedale. This project is a Coastal Wetland Planning, Protection and Restoration Act (CWPPRA) project and was selected for completion by the Louisiana Coastal Wetlands Conservation and Restoration Task Force. The action is needed because high-energy waves are eroding wetland habitat along the south shore of Lake Borgne and the north bank of the MRGO. Continued erosion along both shorelines could eventually result in the merging of Lake Borgne and the MRGO. AUTHORITY FOR THE PROPOSED ACTION The Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act (Public Law 101-646) authorized the proposed action and the local cost share is being provided from the State of Louisiana’s Wetlands Conservation Trust Fund (LA. R.S. 49:213 et seq). PRIOR REPORTS Environmental Impact Statement: Operation and Maintenance Work on Three Navigation Projects in the Lake Borgne Vicinity, Louisiana, May 21, 1976. -
Permanent Protection System Opinion of Probable Cost Volume I Options 1, 2, and 2A Report
May 2010 Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Permanent Protection System Opinion of Probable Cost Volume I Options 1, 2, and 2a Report Prepared for Sewerage & Water Board of New Orleans in partnership with the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority- East, Jefferson Parish Department of Public Works, and the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Photo courtesy of USACE Graphics Water Prepared for: Sewerage & Water Board Prepared by: of New Orleans AECOM New Orleans, LA New Orleans, Louisiana Color 60149879.0005 May 7, 2010 Permanent Protection System Opinion of Probable Cost Options 1, 2, and 2a AECOM Water i Contents Executive Summary ............................................................................................................. ES-1 1.0 Option 1 – Construction of New Permanent Gated Pump Stations at the Mouths of the 17th Street, Orleans Avenue, and London Avenue Canals ................................. 1-1 1.1 Option 1 - Basis of Opinion of Probable Cost ..................................................................... 1-3 1.2 Summary of Findings for 17th Street Canal – Option 1...................................................... 1-4 1.2.1 Mechanical and Electrical .....................................................................................1-6 1.2.2 Geotechnical ......................................................................................................... 1-9 1.2.3 Real Estate ..........................................................................................................1-10 -
Golden Triangle Marsh Creation Council (LA RESTORE 002 000 Cat1)
Gulf Coast Mississippi River Delta Watershed Ecosystem Restoration Golden Triangle Marsh Creation Council (LA_RESTORE_002_000_Cat1) Project Name: Golden Triangle Marsh Creation - Planning Cost: Category 1: $4,347,733 Responsible Council Member: State of Louisiana Project Details: This proposed project would complete planning to create approximately 600 acres of marsh within the Golden Triangle Marsh system. Because the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal/Lake Borgne Surge Barrier stretches across the Golden Triangle Marsh, these wetlands provide an important natural buffer in the multiple lines of defense protecting geographically vulnerable communities in New Orleans from storm surge. In addition, the Golden Triangle Marsh falls within - and would enhance if fully implemented - the Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge, which includes fresh and brackish marshes and coastal hardwood forest, and serves as valuable wildlife, fish, and shellfish habitat. Activities: Activities would include engineering and design of the Golden Triangle Marsh Creation project, leading to construction-ready plans and specifications and the development of an adaptive management plan to guide decision-making for future project maintenance activities. If the plans are implemented in the future, the project would be constructed by hydraulically dredging and pumping sediment from Lake Borgne to a 600-acre fill site located approximately 16 miles from the borrow site. The borrow area, which consists mostly of clays and silts, currently has a depth of -10 feet and would be dredged to a depth of -30 feet. Earthen containment dikes would be constructed to facilitate the construction of the marsh. The engineering and design and permitting is expected to take three years to complete. -
Recommendations for Freshwater Diversion to Louisiana Estuaries
0 0 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 0 FRESHWATER DIVERSION TO LOUISIANA ESTUARIES EAST OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER 0 0 DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES COASTAL MANAGBIIBNT SECTION 0 0 Cover: a A plume of turbid water emanates from Bayou Lamoque as freshwater is diverted from the Mississippi River into the Breton �ound estuary to control salinity levels �nd enhance oyster production (p. 2). _ 0 0 . , 0 n 0 0 0 � 0 0 This document was published at a cost of $3.17 per copy by the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, P.O. Box 44396, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, for the purpose of carrying out the requirements of the Louisiana Coastal Zone Management Program under the authority of Act 361 of 1979. This material was printed in accordance with 0 the standards for printing by state agencies established pursuant to R.S. 43:31 and was purchased in accordance with the provisions of Title 43 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes. This project was financed through a grant provided under the Coastal Management Act of l9n, amendeci, which is administered by the U.S. Office of Coastal Zone Management, asNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 0 � 0 0 0 D RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FRESHWATER DIVERSION TO LOUISIANA EAST OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER 0 ESTUARIES ( D by J. L. van Beek 0 D. Roberts D. Davis D. Sabins S. M. Gagliano 0 · Coastal Environments, Inc. 0 Baton Rouge, LA 0 This study was funded by: 0 Office of Coastal Zone Management National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 0 Department of Commerce · o prepared for: Coastal Management Section a Louisiana Department of Natural Resources G Baton Rouge, Louisiana 0 JUNE 1982 0 0 0 0 TABLE OF CONTENTS 0 CHAPTER IV: SUPPLEMENTAL FRESHWATER REQUIREMENTS List of Phot()S iii .. -
Did Nepa Drown New Orleans? the Levees, the Blame Game, and the Hazards of Hindsight
05__KYSAR_MCGARITY FINAL.DOC 11/14/2006 8:38 AM CORE Metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk Provided by Yale Law School Legal Scholarship Repository DID NEPA DROWN NEW ORLEANS? THE LEVEES, THE BLAME GAME, AND THE HAZARDS OF HINDSIGHT DOUGLAS A. KYSAR† THOMAS O. MCGARITY†† ABSTRACT This Article highlights the hazards of hindsight analysis of the causes of catastrophic events, focusing on theories of why the New Orleans levees failed during Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and particularly on the theory that the levee failures were “caused” by a 1977 National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) lawsuit that resulted in a temporary injunction against the Army Corps of Engineers’ hurricane protection project for New Orleans. The Article provides a detailed historical reconstruction of the decision process that eventuated in the New Orleans storm surge protection system, focusing both on the political and legal factors involved and on the “standard project hurricane” risk assessment model that lay at the heart of the Army Corps of Engineers’ decisionmaking process. The Article then offers a detailed analysis of how and why Hurricane Katrina overcame the New Orleans levee system. As this analysis demonstrates, the argument that the NEPA lawsuit played a meaningful causal role in the Katrina disaster is not persuasive. Parallel lessons are then drawn for forward-looking disaster policy. The same problems of uncertainty and complexity that confound the attempt through hindsight to attribute causal responsibility for a Copyright © 2006 by Douglas A. Kysar and Thomas O. McGarity. † Professor of Law, Cornell Law School. †† Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long Endowed Chair in Administrative Law, University of Texas at Austin School of Law. -
Louisiana's Waterways
Section22 Lagniappe Louisiana’s The Gulf Intracoastal Waterways Waterway is part of the larger Intracoastal Waterway, which stretches some three As you read, look for: thousand miles along the • Louisiana’s major rivers and lakes, and U.S. Atlantic coast from • vocabulary terms navigable and bayou. Boston, Massachusetts, to Key West, Florida, and Louisiana’s waterways define its geography. Water is not only the dominant fea- along the Gulf of Mexico ture of Louisiana’s environment, but it has shaped the state’s physical landscape. coast from Apalachee Bay, in northwest Florida, to Brownsville, Texas, on the Rio Grande. Right: The Native Americans called the Ouachita River “the river of sparkling silver water.” Terrain: Physical features of an area of land 40 Chapter 2 Louisiana’s Geography: Rivers and Regions The largest body of water affecting Louisiana is the Gulf of Mexico. The Map 5 Mississippi River ends its long journey in the Gulf’s warm waters. The changing Mississippi River has formed the terrain of the state. Louisiana’s Louisiana has almost 5,000 miles of navigable rivers, bayous, creeks, and Rivers and Lakes canals. (Navigable means the water is deep enough for safe travel by boat.) One waterway is part of a protected water route from the Atlantic Ocean to the Map Skill: In what direction Gulf of Mexico. The Gulf Intracoastal Waterway extends more than 1,100 miles does the Calcasieu River from Florida’s Panhandle to Brownsville, Texas. This system of rivers, bays, and flow? manmade canals provides a safe channel for ships, fishing boats, and pleasure craft. -
Levee-District-Map.Pdf
Louisiana Levee Districts Claiborne Union Morehouse West Carroll East CMD Coastal Zone 13 Carroll Bossier Webster Coastal Area Boundary Lincoln 15 Teche-Vermilion Fresh Water District Caddo Ouachita LA Parishes Richland Madison Oklahoma Bienville Arkansas Levee Districts Jackson 4 Atchafalaya Basin Levee District 2 Mississippi Franklin Madison 15 Bossier Levee District 16 Red Caldwell 3 De Soto River Texas 13 Caddo Levee District Tensas Louisiana Winn 22 Chenier Plain Coastal Restoration and Protection Authority 3 Fifth Louisiana Levee District Catahoula 17 Gulf of Mexico 30 Grand Isle Independent Levee District La Salle 20 Iberia Parish Levee, Hurricane Protection, and Conservation District Sabine Natchitoches Grant Concordia 33 Lafitte Area Independent Levee District 19 6 Lafourche Basin Levee District 17 Natchitoches Levee and Drainage District 19 Nineteenth Louisiana Levee District Avoyelles Rapides 24 North Lafourche Conservation, Levee and Drainage District Vernon West 5 Pontchartrain Levee District 21 Feliciana 18 16 Red River Levee and Drainage District West East Washington Feliciana Feliciana St. 21 Red River, Atchafalaya, and Bayou Boeuf Levee District Helena Evangeline 25 South Lafourche Levee District Pointe St. Beauregard Allen Tangipahoa St. Coupee Tammany 34 St. Mary Levee District Landry East West Baton 35 St. Tammany Levee District Baton Rouge Livingston Rouge 12 2 Tensas Levee District 36 35 10 Terrebonne Levee and Conservation District Jefferson Acadia St. 4 Jefferson Calcasieu Davis Lafayette Martin SLFPA - East Iberville 5 St. John Ascension Orleans the 27 East Jefferson Levee District 22 St. Baptist 7 James 27 8 Lake Borgne Basin Levee District St. 20 Assumption 6 32 11 Bernard 7 Orleans Levee District Cameron St. -
Did Nepa Drown New Orleans? the Levees, the Blame Game, and the Hazards of Hindsight
05__KYSAR_MCGARITY FINAL.DOC 11/14/2006 8:38 AM DID NEPA DROWN NEW ORLEANS? THE LEVEES, THE BLAME GAME, AND THE HAZARDS OF HINDSIGHT DOUGLAS A. KYSAR† THOMAS O. MCGARITY†† ABSTRACT This Article highlights the hazards of hindsight analysis of the causes of catastrophic events, focusing on theories of why the New Orleans levees failed during Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and particularly on the theory that the levee failures were “caused” by a 1977 National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) lawsuit that resulted in a temporary injunction against the Army Corps of Engineers’ hurricane protection project for New Orleans. The Article provides a detailed historical reconstruction of the decision process that eventuated in the New Orleans storm surge protection system, focusing both on the political and legal factors involved and on the “standard project hurricane” risk assessment model that lay at the heart of the Army Corps of Engineers’ decisionmaking process. The Article then offers a detailed analysis of how and why Hurricane Katrina overcame the New Orleans levee system. As this analysis demonstrates, the argument that the NEPA lawsuit played a meaningful causal role in the Katrina disaster is not persuasive. Parallel lessons are then drawn for forward-looking disaster policy. The same problems of uncertainty and complexity that confound the attempt through hindsight to attribute causal responsibility for a Copyright © 2006 by Douglas A. Kysar and Thomas O. McGarity. † Professor of Law, Cornell Law School. †† Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long Endowed Chair in Administrative Law, University of Texas at Austin School of Law. This Article has its origins in a report that the authors prepared in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina as member scholars of the Center for Progressive Reform. -
Bayou St. John Comprehensive Management Plan
Bayou St. John Comprehensive Management Plan BAYOU ST. JOHN COMMITTEE Canoe & Trail Adventures Contributor: Byron Almquist Contact: Byron Almquist (504) 834-5257 [email protected] The role of this private enterprise is to provide outdoor adventures involving recreational and educational opportunities for New Orleans area residents. Mr. Almquist has been invested in the health of Bayou St. John since the 1970s as a business owner and an environmentalist. City Park New Orleans Contributors: John Kinabrew, Beth McFarland and John Hopper Contact: John Hopper [email protected] City Park, the botanical heart of the city, has jurisdiction over Bayou St. John water bottoms from Robert E. Lee Boulevard and the Harding Street Bridge. City Park lagoons depend upon flow from the bayou. Before Hurricane Katrina, the park conducted several volunteer programs including a fishing education program for inner city children. Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation Contributors: Anne Rheams, John A. Lopez, Ph.D. and Carlton Durfrechou Contact: Anne Rheams (504) 836-2215 [email protected] The Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation follows a citizen-based comprehensive management plan which focuses on the health of all waters connected to Lake Pontchartrain. The health of these water bodies not only depends upon water quality but also habitat functions for wildlife and recreation and education opportunities for residents and visitors. The Foundation spearheaded Bayou St. John planning efforts represented in this plan, and will continue to conduct water quality monitoring and encourage environmental education. Louisiana State University Agriculture Center/Louisiana SeaGrant Contributors: Mark Schexnayder and Albert P. “Rusty” Gaude III. Contact: Mark Schexnayder (504) 838-1170 [email protected] With the overall mission of offering innovation, providing education and improving lives, the Louisiana State University Agriculture Center assists New Orleans City Park with habitat enhancement, fish stocking programs, water quality monitoring and education activities.