Coast 2050: Toward a Sustainable Coastal Louisiana

Federal State Local PARTNERSHIP

COAST 2050

Louisiana Coastal Wetlands Conservation and Restoration Task Force and the Wetlands Conservation and Restoration Authority This document is one of three that outline a jointly developed, Federal/State/Local, plan to address Louisiana’s massive coastal land loss problem and provide for a sustainable coastal ecosystem by the year 2050. These three documents are:

! Coast 2050: Toward a Sustainable Coastal Louisiana,

! Coast 2050: Toward a Sustainable Coastal Louisiana, An Executive Summary,

! Coast 2050: Toward a Sustainable Coastal Louisiana, The Appendices.

Federal State Local PARTNERSHIP

COAST 2050

Suggested citation: Louisiana Coastal Wetlands Conservation and Restoration Task Force and the Wetlands Conservation and Restoration Authority. 1998. Coast 2050: Toward a Sustainable Coastal Louisiana. Louisiana Department of Natural Resources. Baton Rouge, La. 161 p.

Cover: “Pelican Sunset” © photograph by C.C. Lockwood, P.O. Box 14876, Baton Rouge, La. 70898.

For additional information on coastal restoration in Louisiana: www.lacoast.gov or www.savelawetlands.org.

Two thousand copies of this public document were published in this first printing at a total cost of $15,037.28. This document was published by the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, P.O. Box 94396, Baton Rouge, La. 70804-9396 to fulfill the requirements of a coastal restoration plan under the authority of Public Law 101-646. This material was printed in accordance with the standards for printing by state agencies established pursuant to R.S. 43:31. Printing of this material was purchased in accordance with the provisions of Title 43 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes. Coast 2050: Toward a Sustainable Coastal Louisiana

report of the Louisiana Coastal Wetlands Conservation and Restoration Task Force

and the Wetlands Conservation and Restoration Authority

Louisiana Department of Natural Resources Baton Rouge, La. 1998

prepared by

COAST 2050 PLANNING MANAGEMENT TEAM of the Louisiana Coastal Wetlands Conservation and Restoration Task Force or “Breaux Act Task Force” and the Wetlands Conservation and Restoration Authority or “State Wetlands Authority”:

Bill Good, Chairman Louisiana Dept. of Natural Resources

Gerry Bodin U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Paul Coreil Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service

Beverly Ethridge U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Sherwood Gagliano Coastal Environments, Inc.

Sue Hawes U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Paul Kemp Louisiana State University

Quin Kinler Natural Resources Conservation Service

Denise Reed University of New Orleans

Ric Ruebsamen National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Glenn Thomas La. Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries

Lee Wilson Lee Wilson and Associates

COAST 2050 REGIONAL TEAM LEADERS: Darryl Clark, Stehle Harris, Sue Hawes, Jane Ledwin, Phil Pittman, and Faye Talbot.

OTHER CONTRIBUTORS: Phil Bowman, Louis Britsch, Cheryl Brodnax, Cullen Curole, Mark Davis, Greg DuCote, Ken Duffy, Jay Gamble, Steve Gammill, Catherine Grouchy, Bren Haase, Walter Keithly, Mike Liffman, Dianne Lindstedt, Steve Mathies, Gerald Morrissey, Jeanene Peckham, Bryan Piazza, Jon Porthouse, Ken Roberts, Robin Roberts, Gregg Snedden, Joe Suhayda, Cynthia Taylor and Katherine Vaughan.

iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS We would also like to thank those listed below, who, in addition to those whose names are inscribed on preceding pages, helped to make this document possible in the 18 months available to complete it: Bob Ancelet, Jim Anderson, Steve Anderson, Chris Andry, Dan Arceneaux, Neil Armingeon, Donald Ayo, John Barras, Marty Beasely, Ted Beaullieu, Harold Becnel, Sr., Michael Bertrand, Thomas Bigford, Dean Blanchard, Allen Bolotte, Brett Boston, Marty Bourgeois, Ed Britton, Charles Broussard, John Burden, Martin Cancienne, Paul Cancienne, Dudley Carver, Jody Chenier, Paul Clifton, Sidney Coffee, Sandy Corkern, Woody Crews, Windell Curole, David Cvitanovich, Doug Daigle, Phyllis Darensbourg, Rhonda Davis, Richard DeMay, Bart DeVillier, Carlton Dufrechou, “Judge” Edwards, Karen Eldridge, Michelle Enright, Tanya Falcon, Gaye Farris, Marty Floyd, Brian Fortson, Stan Foster, Roy Francis, Karen Gautreaux, Clyde Giordano, Rodney Guilbeaux, Vince Guillory, Warren Harang, Robert Hastings, Robert Helm, Vern Herr, Tom Herrington, Tom Hess, Mark Hester, Tina Horn, Jerald Horst, Robin Hote, Michael Hunnicutt, Dale Hymel, Tom Hymel, Jimmy Johnson, Pete Jones, Robert Jones, Pete Juneau, John Jurgensen, Noel Kinler, Tim Landreneau, Lindsey Landry, Brian LeBlanc, Kaye LeBlanc, Mike LeBlanc, Bruce Lehto, Donald Lirette, Oneil Malbrough, Earl Matherne, Larry McNease, Vincent Melvin, Clay Midkiff, Cathy Mitias, Dave Moreland, Lindsay Nachishima, Mike Olinde, Ronny Paille, Britt Paul, Randy Pausina, Annell Peek, Guthrie Perry, Loulan Pitre, Samuel Pizzolato, Hollis Poche, Tom Podany, Ed Preau, Terrell Rabalais, Terry Rabot, Kay Radlauer, David Richard, Kevin Roy, Dugan Sabins, Donald Sagrera, Sherrill Sagrera, Mr. & Mrs. Oliver Salinovich, “Pete” Savoie, Kevin Savoie, Mark Schexnayder, Lynn Schonberg, Robert Schroeder, Deborah Schultz, Gary Shaffer, Tammy Shaw, Mark Shirley, Butch Stegall, Charles Stemmans, “Bob” Stewart, Kerry St. Pé, Pam Sturrock, Doug Svendson, Jr., John Taliancich, Ed Theriot, Paul Thibodeaux, Norm Thomas, Beth Vairin, Bill Vermilion, “Chuck” Villarrubia, Carol Vinning, Jenneke Visser, Ann Walden, Mike Walden, Becky Weber, Marnie Winter, John Woodard, Paul Yakupzack, Linda Zaunbrecher, Wayne Zaunbrecher, Jerome Zeringue, and John Zimmer.

iv CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1: COAST 2050: THE NEED FOR ACTION ...... 1 The Problem: System Collapse in Coastal Louisiana...... 1 Coast 2050: A NEW Approach ...... 2 The Coast 2050 Plan ...... 5 Summary ...... 5

CHAPTER 2: COAST 2050: THE PLAN ...... 7 Before Coast 2050 ...... 7 The Mission of Coast 2050 ...... 7 Coast 2050 Structure ...... 8 The Coast 2050 Process ...... 10 The Role of the Plan ...... 11

CHAPTER 3: COASTAL LOUISIANA TODAY ...... 19 Deltaic Plain Processes ...... 19 The Deltaic Plain...... 19 The Delta Cycle ...... 19 The Mudstream ...... 25 Chenier Plain Processes ...... 25 Resulting Landscape ...... 27 Uplands, Ridgelands, and Fastlands...... 27 Estuarine Basins ...... 28 Barrier Islands and Gulf Shore ...... 30

CHAPTER 4: DETERIORATION OF THE LANDSCAPE ...... 31 Rates and Patterns of Loss ...... 31 Factors Controlling Marsh Sustainability...... 33 Sea Level Rise ...... 33 Subsidence ...... 33 Aggradation vs. Relative Sea Level Rise ...... 38 Survival or Submergence?...... 39 Other Major Causes of Losses ...... 40 Altered Hydrology ...... 40 Storms ...... 40 Interior Marsh Loss ...... 40 Edge Erosion ...... 41 Herbivory ...... 41 Dredge and Fill Activities ...... 41 Consequences of Land Loss ...... 41 The Human Landscape ...... 42 Collapse of the Natural System ...... 42

v CHAPTER 5: COASTAL LOUISIANA IN 2050 ...... 47 Historic Coastal Land Loss ...... 47 Projected Land Loss Rates and Locations ...... 48 Projected Habitat Conversions ...... 48

CHAPTER 6: CONSEQUENCES OF LANDSCAPE DETERIORATION ...... 51 Economic Setting ...... 51 Overview ...... 51 Coastal Communities and Demographics ...... 52 Physical Infrastructure ...... 53 Storm Surge Protection ...... 55 Consumptive Uses of Wetlands...... 56 Nonconsumptive Uses of Wetlands ...... 57 Major Case Studies and Smaller Vignettes ...... 57 Community at Risk: South Lafourche Corridor ...... 59 Community at Risk: New Orleans...... 63 Community at Risk: Yscloskey (St. Bernard Parish) ...... 64 Community at Risk: Cocodrie (Terrebonne Parish) ...... 65 Community at Risk.: Holly Beach /Constance Beach (Cameron Parish) ...... 66 Summary of Coastal Communities at Risk ...... 67 Fisheries ...... 68 Historic Trends in Fisheries Production...... 68 Projected Trends in Fisheries Production ...... 71 Summary ...... 73 Wildlife ...... 73 Region 1 Wildlife Trends and Projections ...... 74 Region 2 Wildlife Trends and Projections ...... 75 Region 3 Wildlife Trends and Projections ...... 76 Region 4 Wildlife Trends and Projections ...... 76

CHAPTER 7: ECOSYSTEM MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES . 79 Strategic Goals ...... 79 Coastwide Common Strategies ...... 81 Region 1 Strategic Plan ...... 83 Background ...... 83 Habitat Objectives ...... 83 Regional Ecosystem Strategies ...... 86 Sequencing of Regional Strategies ...... 89 Local and Common Strategies ...... 90

vi Region 2 Strategic Plan ...... 92 Background ...... 92 Habitat Objectives ...... 92 Regional Ecosystem Strategies ...... 95 Sequencing of Regional Strategies ...... 99 Local and Common Strategies ...... 101 Region 3 Strategic Plan ...... 101 Background ...... 101 Habitat Objectives ...... 103 Regional Ecosystem Strategies ...... 103 Sequencing of Regional Strategies ...... 109 Local and Common Strategies ...... 111 Region 4 Strategic Plan ...... 113 Background ...... 113 Habitat Objectives ...... 113 Regional Ecosystem Strategies ...... 116 Sequencing of Regional Strategies ...... 119 Local and Common Strategies ...... 120 Costs and Benefits of Regional Ecosystem Strategies ...... 122 Region 1 Benefits ...... 122 Region 2 Benefits ...... 123 Region 3 Benefits ...... 124 Region 4 Benefits ...... 124 Costs ...... 125 Benefits of Regional Strategies to Communities at Risk ...... 125 South Lafourche Corridor ...... 125 New Orleans Metropolitan Area ...... 125 Yscloskey ...... 126 Cocodrie ...... 126 Holly Beach/Constance Beach...... 126

CHAPTER 8: INSTITUTIONAL ISSUES ...... 127 Breaux Act Coordination ...... 127 Breaux Act Consistency Requirements ...... 127 Breaux Act Restoration Plan/Coastal Zone Provision ...... 128 Breaux Act Conservation Plan Implementation Requirements .. 128 Beneficial Use of Dredged Material ...... 129 Programmatic Strategies ...... 131 Coastwide Programmatic Recommendations ...... 131 Regional and Mapping Unit Programmatic Recommendations . 133 Compensation Issues ...... 135

vii CHAPTER 9: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ...... 139 Research Needs and Improved Understanding ...... 139 Improved Technologies ...... 140 Restoration Technology ...... 140 Predictive Tools ...... 141 Information Needs and Database Development...... 141 Integration of Science and Technology–Examples ...... 142 The Coast 2050 Science and Technology Challenge ...... 142

CHAPTER 10: REALIZING THE GOAL: PRINCIPLES FOR IMPLEMENTING THE COAST 2050 PLAN ...... 143 Measures of Success ...... 143 Short Term ...... 143 Long Term ...... 143 Scale of Success ...... 144 Ingredients for Success ...... 144 Commitment ...... 145 Knowledge ...... 145 Process ...... 145 Resources ...... 145 Urgency of the Coast 2050 Plan ...... 146

REFERENCES ...... 147

viii FIGURES AND TABLES

Figures 1-1 Wetlands projected to be lost in the Deltaic Plain between 1993 and 2050 ..... 3 1-2 Wetlands projected to be lost in the Chenier Plain between 1993 and 2050 ..... 4

2-1 Coast 2050 organization ...... 9 2-2 Regions used in Coast 2050 plan...... 10 2-3 Coast 2050 development process...... 11

3-1 Map of major coastal Louisiana land forms...... 20 3-2 The Deltaic Plain landmass ...... 21 3-3 Land building in the vicinity of active distributary outlets...... 21 3-4 Barrier island cycle...... 23 3-5a Mudstream offshore...... 26 3-5b Mudstream onshore...... 26 3-6 Coastal Louisiana vegetation zones...... 29

4-1 Loss rates of the entire Louisiana coastal area and Deltaic and Chenier Plains.. 31 4-2 Distribution of land loss in the Louisiana coastal area...... 32 4-3 Projected best estimate of worldwide rise in sea level...... 33 4-4 Major fault trends and future changes in land elevation of south Louisiana..... 35 4-5 Subsidence rates in coastal Louisiana by mapping unit...... 37 4-6 Natural and modified conditions along the Mississippi River corridor...... 43 4-7 Estimates of Louisiana barrier island area...... 44

6-1 Communities discussed in case studies and vignettes...... 58

7-1 Coast 2050 habitat objectives for Region 1...... 84 7-2 Coast 2050 Region 1 regional ecosystem strategies...... 85 7-3 Region 1 mapping units...... 91 7-4 Coast 2050 habitat objectives for Region 2...... 93 7-5 Coast 2050 Region 2 regional ecosystem strategies...... 94 7-6 Region 2 mapping units...... 102 7-7 Coast 2050 habitat objectives for Region 3...... 104 7-8 Coast 2050 Region 3 regional ecosystem strategies...... 105 7-9 Region 3 mapping units...... 112 7-10 Coast 2050 habitat objectives for Region 4...... 114 7-11 Coast 2050 Region 4 regional ecosystem strategies...... 115 7-12 Region 4 mapping units...... 121

ix Tables 2-1 Milestones concerning coastal restoration in Louisiana...... 12 2-2 Coast 2050 public meetings...... 15

3-1 Swamp and marsh salinity ranges and major plant species...... 30

4-1 Subsidence of coastal cities and communities...... 45

5-1 Wetland loss projections...... 49 5-2 Existing and projected habitat types in each Coast 2050 region...... 50

6-1 Representative fish and invertebrate guilds of coastal Louisiana...... 78

x CHAPTER 1

COAST 2050: THE NEED FOR ACTION

The Problem: System by 2050 coastal Louisiana will lose more Collapse in Coastal than 630,000 additional acres of coastal Louisiana marshes, swamps, and islands. The loss could be greater, especially if worst-case scenario projections of sea-level rise are The rate of coastal land loss in Louisiana realized, but in some places there is has reached catastrophic proportions. nothing left to lose. Within the last 50 years, land loss rates have exceeded 40 square miles per year, Along with the loss of acreage goes the and in the 1990’s the rate has been loss of the various functions and values estimated to be between 25 and 35 associated with the wetlands: square miles each year. This loss commercial harvests of fisheries, represents 80% of the coastal wetland furbearers and alligators; recreational loss in the entire continental United fishing and hunting, and ecotourism; States. habitats for threatened and endangered species; water quality improvement; The reasons for wetland loss are navigation corridors and port facilities; complex and vary across the state. Since flood control, including buffering the scale of the problem was recognized hurricane storm surges; and the and quantified in the 1970’s, much has intangible value of land settled centuries been learned about the factors that cause ago and passed down through marshes to change to open water and generations. The public use value of this that result in barrier island fragmentation loss is estimated to be in excess of $37 and submergence. The effects of natural billion by 2050, but the losses associated processes like subsidence and storms with cultures and heritage are have combined with human actions at immeasurable. large and small scales to produce a system on the verge of collapse. Coastal planning efforts in Louisiana began in earnest in the mid-1970’s. System collapse threatens the continued Since then, many plans and studies have productivity of Louisiana’s bountiful been developed by technical experts, coastal ecosystems, the economic citizens’ groups, and State and Federal viability of its industries, and the safety agencies. of its residents. If recent loss rates continue into the future, even taking into Primary efforts to prevent catastrophic account current restoration efforts, then land loss have been implemented under

1 the Federal Coastal Wetlands Planning, initiatives from private citizens, local Protection and Restoration Act governments, State and Federal agency (hereafter, “Breaux Act”) in partnership personnel, and the scientific community. with Louisiana’s efforts through Act 6 (LA. R.S. 49:213 et seq.). Between 1990 For the first time, as explicitly called for and 1997, almost $250 million was by the Coalition to Restore Coastal allocated through the Breaux Act toward Louisiana in 1997, diverse groups have projects expected to prevent 13% of this come together to develop one shared loss. Two separately funded larger vision for the coast expressed in this projects, the Caernarvon and Davis Pond overarching goal: to sustain a coastal Freshwater Diversions, with a combined ecosystem that supports and protects construction cost of approximately $130 the environment, economy and culture million, will divert fresh water from the of southern Louisiana, and that Mississippi River into adjacent coastal contributes greatly to the economy and basins for salinity control and will also well-being of the nation. improve conditions within the coastal marshes. These projects, combined with The first step in achieving this goal is to Breaux Act efforts, should prevent up to produce a technically sound plan based 22% of the loss projected to occur by upon managing ecosystems with three 2050 (Figs. 1-1, 1-2). The Breaux Act clear strategic objectives: projects and the two large diversions demonstrate that we have the ability to C To sustain a coastal ecosystem prevent ecosystem collapse, and show with the essential functions and that larger projects can be very effective. values of the natural ecosystem,

What is needed now is a program that C To restore the ecosystem to the assures that all the best projects are built highest practicable acreage of in the most efficient and timely manner. productive and diverse wetlands, As noted by the Coalition to Restore and Coastal Louisiana (1998), restoration requires a single coastal plan with a clear, C To accomplish this restoration overarching strategic vision, a process through an integrated program for ensuring effective public input to that has multiple use benefits; restoration planning, and integration of benefits not solely for wetlands, restoration projects into the overall but for all the communities and coastal management system. resources of the coast.

Coast 2050: A NEW Important new information has been Approach developed in this innovative approach to planning. Among other contributions, Coast 2050 is a planning effort inspired the Coast 2050 Plan provides new by the severity of the problems facing quantitative techniques for projecting south Louisiana, as well as an increased land loss patterns into the future, the first level of confidence in our ability to coastwide assessment of subsidence understand the ecosystem and to rates and patterns, and the first implement effective restoration projects. The plan combines elements of all previous efforts, along with new

2 Lake Maurepas Lake Pontchartrain

Lake Borgne New Orleans

Lake Salvador

Breton

3 Sound Houma

Barataria Bay

Timbalier Terrebonne Bay Bay

Figure 1-1. Wetlands projected to be lost in the Deltaic Plain (shown in black) between 1993 and 2050 (adapted from LSU Natural Systems Engineering Laboratory, 1998). Lake Charles

Sabine Lake Calcasieu Grand Lake Lake

White Lake Vermilion

4 Bay West Cote Blanche Bay

East Cote Blanche Bay

Atchafalaya Bay

Figure 1-2. Wetlands projected to be lost in the Chenier Plain (shown in black) between 1993 and 2050 (adapted from LSU Natural Systems Engineering Laboratory, 1998). comprehensive consideration of changes expected costs and benefits in fish and wildlife populations. associated with implementation of the plan, Also new is the extent to which the planning process has involved the • Chapters 8 and 9 address broader affected public at the local level. Indeed, institutional issues and scientific and many of the ecosystem restoration technological needs, and strategies included in this plan are not new, but recently they have received far • The final chapter outlines how this wider understanding and endorsement. plan should lead to actions that will The participation of local governments save the coast. and private citizens in plan development has made an essential contribution to the A separate document contains the plan. appendices that record much of the detailed work that went into preparation The level of citizen support for this new of the plan. These appendices explain approach to restoration planning in the new methods used to inventory coastal Louisiana is demonstrated by existing conditions and to project future one astonishing fact: councils and police conditions. They also detail the public juries of all 20 coastal parishes have involvement in the planning process. passed resolutions in support of the Coast 2050 ecosystem strategies. Summary

The Coast 2050 Plan Coast 2050 has been a truly collective effort among Federal, State, and local The information in this document has governments. The effort has been been organized to include the essential affirmed by the adoption of the plan by details supporting the need for action in the Louisiana Coastal Wetlands coastal Louisiana and the specific Conservation and Restoration Task strategies to accomplish success. Each Force and the Wetlands Conservation chapter stands alone, with an and Restoration Authority as their organization as follows: official restoration plan, the transmission of this plan to the U.S. Department of • The 18-month process used to build Commerce by the State of Louisiana to the plan is described in Chapter 2, incorporate it into the Louisiana Coastal Resources Program Guidelines, and • Chapters 3-6 detail the landscape of resolutions of support from 20 coastal coastal Louisiana and the problems it parish councils and police juries. faces, the implications of these changes for fish and wildlife The Coast 2050 Plan is based upon the populations, and the severe best available, albeit imperfect, economic and human consequences understanding of both the causes of loss of continuing on the current path, and the effectiveness of restoration measures. There is a recognized need to • Chapter 7 outlines the ecosystem continue the study of the system, to management strategies essential to learn from those measures that have the survival of coastal Louisiana and already been implemented, and to learn

5 from the successes and failures of other as new knowledge becomes available, as major coastal ecosystem restoration new opportunities arise, as new programs. This plan should be the start restoration technology develops, and of coastal restoration in Louisiana at the perhaps as new landscape problems ecosystem scale, and the restoration occur. Addressing the collapse of effort must grow and adapt through Louisiana’s coastal ecosystem, however, time. must move forward in the face of such uncertainty or it will be too late for the Those responsible for restoration marshes, the swamps, the industries, and decisions expect and welcome the fact the people. that the plan will be revised in the future

6 CHAPTER 2

COAST 2050: THE PLAN

Before Coast 2050 Conservation and Restoration Authority (State Wetlands Authority), constituted Coastal land loss in Louisiana began to under Act 6 (R.S. 49:213.1 et seq.). At exceed levels normally associated with about the same time, other plans were the delta cycle and natural coastal developed as the need for action became ecosystem change during the 1950’s widely apparent (Table 2-1). (Britsch and Dunbar 1993). The magnitude of the changes in the The Coast 2050 plan has been developed landscape and their pervasive nature under the legislative mandates described became clear during the 1970’s when the above and is a result of recognition by first of several mapping studies Federal, State, and local agencies that a (Gagliano and van Beek 1970) quantified single plan is needed. Such a plan must the scale of the problem. The incorporate a clear vision for the coast, recognition of the problem led to build on previous work, integrate coastal growing public concern that coastal land management and coastal restoration loss be addressed. Governmental approaches, and adopt a multiple-use response was in the form of legislation approach to restoration planning. The and planning programs which have Coast 2050 Plan will serve as the joint changed in perspective in the last 30 coastal restoration plan of the Breaux years (Table 2-1). While all the Act Task Force and the State Wetlands milestones in Table 2-1 have contributed Authority. to restoration, those that provided the primary legal impetus for action are Act The Mission of Coast 2050 361 of 1978, Act 41 of 1981, Act 6 of 1989, and the Breaux Act of 1990. The Coast 2050 plan was developed based on the following mission The Breaux Act called for the statement: development of a comprehensive Louisiana Coastal Wetlands “In partnership with the public, Restoration Plan (Public Law 101- develop by December 22, 1998, a 646§303.b). The first such plan was technically sound strategic plan to completed in 1993 and has been in use sustain coastal resources and since that time. In addition, the provide an integrated multiple use Governor’s Office of Coastal Activities approach to ecosystem Science Advisory Panel prepared a plan management.” for the coast in 1994 for the Wetlands

7 The essential components of this mission during the course of this planning were accomplished by adhering to the effort (Appendices B-F). three principles outlined below. Information regarding other coastal uses and resources such as C The partnership with the public was infrastructure, fish and wildlife facilitated by the direct involvement resources, public safety, and of parish government Coastal Zone navigation was also collected and Management representatives, carefully considered in developing briefings to local elected officials, objectives and strategies. and public meetings (Appendix A). The numerous town meetings and The Coast 2050 mission will continue Regional Planning Team meetings into the future, reflecting the public held during the plan formulation commitment shown by unanimous stage demonstrate the level of effort parish support, ongoing and expanded to allow public involvement (Table 2- efforts in research and development, and 2). Another important aspect of integration of the plan into the Coastal public participation was the Zone Management program. involvement of the Barataria-Terrebonne National Coast 2050 Structure Estuary Program and several nongovernmental organizations such The organizational structure of the Coast as the Coalition to Restore Coastal 2050 planning effort (Fig. 2-1) is Louisiana, the Lake Pontchartrain indicative of the guiding philosophy of Basin Foundation, the Acadiana Bay this effort. The structure reflects an Association, and the Vermilion Rice interactive planning network in which Growers Association. scientific and technical matters were developed by the Strategic Working C To be technically sound, the plan Group, while the public acceptability and must be based on the current state of coastal resource objectives were the knowledge of our coastal system. responsibility of the Coastal Zone Therefore, academic and private Management Working Group. These coastal scientists were involved in two groups were jointly constituted by every step of this planning process. the Breaux Act Task Force and the State They played key roles on the Wetlands Authority. The Strategic Planning Management Team and the Working Group consisted of the State Regional Planning Teams and added Wetlands Authority members and the to the scientific and technical Breaux Act Technical Committee expertise of the Federal and State members. The Breaux Act agencies agency personnel. represented were the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Environmental C The multiple use approach required Protection Agency, the U.S. Department that coastal wetlands were not the of Agriculture’s Natural Resources only coastal resource considered Conservation Service, the

8 Figure 2-1. Coast 2050 organization.

Department of the Interior’s U.S. Fish representatives and parish Coastal Zone and Wildlife Service, and the Management Advisory Committees. Department of Commerce’s National This working group was largely Marine Fisheries Service. The Louisiana responsible for public involvement: this State agencies represented on the outreach to the public via local Strategic Working Group were the Office governments proved to be a particularly of the Governor, the Department of effective facet of the Coast 2050 Natural Resources, the Division of planning process. The Objectives Administration, the Department of Development Team was responsible for Wildlife and Fisheries, the Department carrying out the policies established by of Environmental Quality, the the Coastal Zone Management Working Department of Transportation and Group and soliciting use and resource Development, and the State Soil and objectives from parish governments, Water Conservation Commission of the Coastal Zone Advisory Committees, and Department of Agriculture and Forestry. the Regional Planning Teams. The Planning Management Team was appointed by the Strategic Working The coast was divided into four regions Group and was responsible for both based on hydrologic basins (Fig. 2-2). coordinating the planning effort and For planning purposes, each region was writing this planning document. broken into mapping units (see Chapter 7). The Coastal Zone Management Working Group consisted of parish government

9 Region 1 Pontchartrain Region 4 Calcasieu/Sabine & Mermentau Region 2 Region 3 Terrebonne, Atchafalaya Breton, Barataria & & Teche/Vermilion Mississippi River

Coastal Louisiana hydrologic basin area

Figure 2-2. Regions used in the Coast 2050 plan.

Four Regional Planning Teams were established in order to develop strategies Four public scoping meetings were held, and provide input on coastal use and one per region, during July and August resource objectives. They furnished this of 1997 in order to further develop the to the Planning Management Team and process and scope of the plan. Regional to the Objectives Development Team. Planning Team meetings were initiated The Regional Planning Teams consisted on a monthly basis in all four regions. of State and Federal agency staff, From October 1997 until May of 1998, academic representatives, parish many important issues were reviewed governments, Louisiana Cooperative concerning strategies and objectives, Extension Service/LSU Sea Grant staff, such as past plans, infrastructure, and and local volunteers. resource trends (Appendices B-F).

The Coast 2050 Process In order to take advantage of previous coastal restoration planning efforts, each The planning process was built around a Regional Planning Team was provided a paradigm of consensus building to matrix that listed all previously proposed maximize the strategies that were projects and strategies by mapping unit considered to be both technically sound (Appendices C-F). This matrix was and publicly acceptable (Fig. 2-3). The compiled from the plans listed in Table consensus building was achieved over 18 2-1. The Regional Planning Teams months and involved a series of public received and discussed local technical scoping meetings, regional team input and public concerns; generated meetings and other gatherings to achieve most of the mapping unit-scale local, consensus concerning the best strategies common, and programmatic strategies; to implement on the coast (Appendix A). and developed many other work products.

10 Coast 2050 is the first coastal restoration Acceptable plan for Louisiana to receive the explicit Ecosystem to the Needs support of all 20 coastal parish Public governments.

On October 20, 1998, the State Wetlands Authority and the Breaux Act Task Common Force jointly discussed the Ground recommended strategies and objectives along with the public comments received Consensus Building during the final four regional meetings. Both groups unanimously adopted the Coast 2050 strategies and objectives. The Strategic main report of the plan (this document) Coastal Plan was distributed for final review by the Breaux Act Task Force and the State Wetlands Authority in December of Figure 2-3. Coast 2050 development process. 1998.

The Planning Management Team also The Role of the Plan met monthly to review input received from regional meetings, to develop The Coast 2050 Plan was developed in regional strategies and other plan partnership with the public, parish components, and to prepare this governments, and State and Federal document. agencies. It is based on technically sound strategies designed to sustain In June and July 1998, 11 town meetings coastal resources. The plan is an overall were held across coastal Louisiana to template which will provide give the public an update on the planning program-neutral guidance for the process and to solicit their responses to development and implementation of the proposed strategies and objectives coastal restoration projects. (Table 2-2). By August 1998, a draft strategic plan was completed by the The synergy of the strategies and Planning Management Team and the program guidance is intended to provide Regional Planning Teams. In September continued effectiveness to meet the 1998, a second set of four regional challenges of coastal land loss at the meetings was held to discuss this draft scale that is now devastating coastal plan with the public. At this stage, all the Louisiana. The Coast 2050 Plan coastal parishes involved in the represents our vision for Louisiana’s development of the plan expressed their coast for the year 2050 and provides a support for the Coast 2050 strategies by comprehensive strategic plan for passing resolutions. achieving this vision.

11 Table 2-1. Milestones concerning coastal restoration in Louisiana. Hydrologic and Geologic Studies of Coastal Louisiana is an 18-report series completed between 1970 and 1973. Results reported include: (l) first measurements and identification of the coastal land loss problem; (2) identification of ecosystem components and processes; (3) evaluation of causes of loss and deterioration; (4) recommendations for size and location of freshwater diversions and subdeltas; and (5) development of multiple use planning approach. The final report, entitledEnvironmental Atlas and Multi-Use Management Plan for South-Central Louisiana, has become the prototype for restoration planning in coastal Louisiana.

Act 35 of the 1971 Louisiana Legislature established the Louisiana Advisory Commission on Coastal and Marine Resources to determine the needs and problems of coastal and marine resources. They published three major reports: Louisiana Government and the Coastal Zone—1972; Wetlands ‘73: Toward Coastal Zone Management in Louisiana; and Louisiana Wetland Prospectus in 1973. The Federal Coastal Zone Management (CZM) Act of 1972 encouraged coastal states to assume coastal planning, permitting, Federal consistency, and conflict resolution. (Administered by U.S. Department of Commerce.)

Act 361 of 1978 of the Louisiana Legislature or the “State and Local Coastal Resources Management Act” (LA. R.S. 49:214.21et seq.) established Louisiana’s CZM Program, pursuant to the CZM Act of 1972, including: CZM boundary, coastal use permitting, local programs, and Federal consistency determinations. (Administered by the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources.) Act 41 of the Second Extraordinary Session of 1981 of the Louisiana Legislature created a one-time $35 million fund for conducting applied research and physical projects to address coastal restoration. The Act also resulted in the formation of the Coastal Protection Task Force which recommended five projects and a study in a report to Governor Treen in 1982, and a Coastal Master Plan that focused on barrier islands and shorelines. (Made obsolete by “Act 6” of 1989.)

Saving Louisiana’s Coastal Wetlands: The Need for a Long-term Plan of Action was published in April, 1987 (EPA-230-02-87-026). It was a report of the Louisiana Wetland Protection Panel. It provided a comprehensive review of causes of wetland loss and projects authorized at the time. It also proposed the development of a strategic plan that would serve to outline necessary actions to preserve coastal wetlands. The Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana (CRCL) was incorporated in 1988. It was established to advocate the restoration and preservation of Louisiana’s coast. It played a major role in the passage of Act 6 and the Breaux Act. CRCL is made up of local and national environmental groups, civic and religious organizations, businesses, industry groups, local governments and concerned citizens.

Coastal Louisiana: Here Today and Gone Tomorrow? was published by the CRCL in 1989. It advocated a grass-roots initiative intended to result in the near-term implementation of sediment diversions and other structural measures such as barrier island restoration, marsh creation with dredged materials, and regulatory actions such as establishment of special management areas, full mitigation of all primary and secondary wetland impacts, and institutional initiatives such as increased funding for coastal restoration programs.

12 Table 2-1. Milestones concerning coastal restoration in Louisiana (Cont.).

Act 6 of the Second Extraordinary Session of 1989 of the Louisiana Legislature, or the Louisiana Coastal Wetlands Conservation, Restoration, and Management Act (LA. R.S. 49:213 et seq.), created the Wetlands Conservation and Restoration Authority which has oversight of the annual Coastal Wetlands Conservation and Restoration Plan. The act also created a renewing fund for restoration efforts authorized in the plan. The first annual coastal plan was completed in April 1990. The first plan to cost-share on Breaux Act projects was completed in March 1992. Each annual plan provides site-specific project recommendations. The Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation (LPBF) was established in 1989. It is a nonprofit citizen’s organization, established by the Louisiana Legislature to expedite the clean-up, restoration and preservation the Pontchartrain Basin. LPBF has led many initiatives to clean up the lake, including opposition to shell dredging and the development of a LPBF Comprehensive Management Plan.

The Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act, Pub. L. No. 101-646 (1990), is also known as the “Breaux Act.” It resulted in an annual $33 million (approx.) for federal restoration project match and $5 million for planning, and has resulted in annual “Priority Project Lists” since 1992. The Breaux Act also provided for the Louisiana Coastal Wetlands Restoration Plan and the Louisiana Coastal Wetlands Conservation Plan. ( Administered by the Louisiana Coastal Wetlands Conservation and Restoration Task Force.) The Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program was established in 1990. The program completed and submitted its Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP) in 1996. A Program Office has been established to support the Management Conference, which consists of citizens’ groups, landowners, businesses, agencies, etc. The Management Conference is responsible for implementing this plan, which addresses estuarine quality and biological sustainability. The CCMP development is a model of effective public input for extensive planning.

Act 637 of 1991 of the Louisiana Legislature (LA. R.S. 49:214.32(F)) requires the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources to develop rules and regulations for implementation of a Long Term Management Strategies Plan. This plan consists of a comprehensive protocol for the beneficial use of dredge materials. The statute requires beneficial use of any materials dredged from or deposited in coastal waters from the maintenance of any channel longer than one mile or where more than 500,000 cubic yards of material are moved. A Long-term Plan for Louisiana’s Coastal Wetlands was completed in 1993 by S. M. Gagliano and J. L. van Beek for the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources. It provides for comprehensive offensive and defensive strategies to be carried out in two 25-year phases. Key elements include the establishment of a “Hold Fast Line,” reallocation of Mississippi River flow with the establishment of phased subdeltas, estuarine management and an orderly retreat seaward of “Hold Fast Line,” and succession management of freshwater basins landward of the “Hold Fast Line.” Volume Two lists possible sources of funding for plan implementation.

The Louisiana Coastal Wetlands Restoration Plan was completed in 1993 by the Louisiana Coastal Wetlands Conservation and Restoration Task Force. It provided a comprehensive approach to restore and prevent the loss of coastal wetlands. Using a basin planning approach, a number of needed projects were identified and the implementation of major strategies was called for, such as the abandonment of the present Mississippi River Delta, multiple diversions into Barataria, reactivation of old distributary channels, rebuilding barrier island chains, seasonal increases down the Atchafalaya, reversal of negative hydrologic modifications, and controlling tidal flows in large navigation channels.

13 Table 2-1. Milestones concerning coastal restoration in Louisiana (Cont.).

A Long-term, Comprehensive Management Plan for Coastal Louisiana to Ensure Sustainable Biological Productivity, Economic Growth, and the Continued Existence of its Unique Culture and Heritage was completed in 1994 by Dr. van Heerden. This plan “attempts to simulate natural delta growth processes by creating river diversions and reestablishing former distributaries ... [and] restoration of Louisiana’s barrier islands.” An Environmental-Economic Blueprint for Restoring the Louisiana Coastal Zone: The State Plan was completed in 1994. This is a report of the Governor’s Office of Coastal Activities Science Advisory Panel Workshop. It provides a “long range blueprint for restoring Louisiana’s coastal wetlands, which includes several key provisions. The most important of these are: (1) diverting Mississippi River water and sediments into key locations; (2) restoring, protecting, and sustaining barrier islands; and (3) modifying major navigation channels to reduce saltwater intrusion and storm surge entry.”

Scientific Assessment of Coastal Wetland Loss, Restoration and Management in Louisiana was published in 1994. It was authored by Dr. Boesch, et al. and funded by the W. Alton Jones Foundation, Inc. Its purpose was to assess the then-current restoration approaches and wetland loss processes, and provide scientifically based recommendations to improve restoration efforts. It determined that the Breaux Act was off to a good start, but that (1) region-wide strategies need better integration with small- scale ones, (2) better technical and policy review was needed, (3) private land rights should be balanced with greater public interests, and (4) financing for large-scale introduction of alluvial materials should be obtained. The Louisiana Coastal Wetlands Conservation Plan was completed in May 1997 as authorized by the Breaux Act. The Louisiana Department of Natural Resources developed this plan in conjunction with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in order to achieve no net loss of coastal wetlands due to development activities. Recommended actions include public education, innovative technology development, and landowner assistance. Also, implementation resulted in a reduction in the required percentage of state matching funds, as provided for in the Breaux Act.

14 Table 2-2. Coast 2050 public meetings. Date(s) Reg. Location Meeting type Purpose Attend.

7/15- 1 USACE Building, Kick-off Obtain Feedback on Process 46 16/97 New Orleans Regional and Issues for Coast 2050 Meeting

7/24- 3 Nicholls State Univ., Kick-off Obtain Feedback on Process 68 25/97 Thibodaux Regional and Issues for Coast 2050 Meeting

7/29- 2 Yenni Bld., Metairie Kick-off Obtain Feedback on Process 60 30/97 Regional and Issues for Coast 2050 Meeting

8/14- 4 Cameron Police Jury Kick-off Obtain Feedback on Process 60 15/97 Building Regional and Issues for Coast 2050 Meeting

9/18/97 2 USACE Building, RPT Meeting Status and Trend 25 New Orleans Compilation and Evaluation

9/19/97 3 Morgan City RPT Meeting Status and Trend 30 Municipal Audit. Compilation and Evaluation

9/22/97 1 USACE Building, RPT Meeting Status and Trend 26 New Orleans Compilation and Evaluation

9/23/97 4 Cameron Police Jury RPT Meeting Status and Trend 26 Building, Cameron Compilation and Evaluation

10/07/97 1 USACE Building, RPT Meeting Status and Trend 47 New Orleans Compilation and Evaluation

10/15/97 4 Cameron Police Jury RPT Meeting Status and Trend 23 Building, Cameron Compilation and Evaluation

10/17/97 3 Abbeville RPT Meeting Status and Trend 23 Cooperative Office Compilation and Evaluation

10/27/97 2 USACE Building, RPT Meeting Status and Trend 50 New Orleans Compilation and Evaluation

11/05/97 4 Cameron Police Jury RPT Meeting Status and Trend 23 Building, Cameron Compilation and Evaluation

11/21/97 4 Cameron Police Jury RPT Meeting Status and Trend 20 Building, Cameron Compilation and Evaluation

12/11/97 1 USACE Building, RPT Meeting Status and Trend 25 New Orleans Compilation and Evaluation

12/12/97 2 USACE Building, RPT Meeting Status and Trend 27 New Orleans Compilation and Evaluation

12/12/97 4 Cameron Police Jury RPT Meeting Status and Trend 31 Building, Cameron Compilation and Evaluation

15 Table 2-2. Coast 2050 public meetings (cont).

12/15/97 4 Cameron Police Jury RPT Meeting Status and Trend 9 Building, Cameron Compilation and Evaluation

1/08/98 2 USACE Building, RPT Meeting Status and Trend 18 New Orleans Compilation and Evaluation

1/09/98 3 Abbeville RPT Meeting Status and Trend 11 Cooperative Office Compilation and Evaluation

1/13/98 4 Cameron Police Jury RPT Meeting Status and Trend 17 Building, Cameron Compilation and Evaluation

1/13/98 2 USACE Building, RPT Meeting Status and Trend 21 New Orleans Compilation and Evaluation

1/14/98 4 Cameron Police Jury RPT Meeting Status and Trend 16 Building, Cameron Compilation and Evaluation

1/15/98 3 Abbeville RPT Meeting Status and Trend 26 Cooperative Office Compilation and Evaluation

1/20/98 3 Abbeville RPT Meeting Status and Trend 38 Cooperative Office Compilation and Evaluation

1/21/98 1 USACE Building, RPT Meeting Status and Trend 15 New Orleans Compilation and Evaluation

2/10/98 4 Cameron Police Jury RPT Meeting Strategy and Objectives 19 Building, Cameron Meeting

2/10/98 2 Belle Chase RPT Meeting Strategy and Objectives 20 Meeting

2/13/98 1 USACE Building, RPT Meeting Strategy and Objectives 16 New Orleans Meeting

2/17/98 2 USACE Building, RPT Meeting Strategy and Objectives 15 New Orleans Meeting

2/18/98 3 Abbeville RPT Meeting Strategy and Objectives 28 Cooperative Office Meeting

2/19/98 3 Abbeville RPT Meeting Strategy and Objectives 24 Cooperative Office Meeting

2/25/98 1 Slidell RPT Meeting Strategy and Objectives 8 Meeting

2/25/98 2 Belle Chase RPT Meeting Strategy and Objectives 16 Meeting

2/26/98 1 Hammond RPT Meeting Strategy and Objectives 25 Meeting

3/03/98 2 USACE Building, RPT Meeting Strategy and Objectives 19 New Orleans Meeting

16 Table 2-2. Coast 2050 public meetings (cont).

3/12/98 3 Nicholls State Univ., RPT Meeting Strategy and Objectives 22 Thibodaux Meeting

3/13/98 3 Nicholls State Univ., RPT Meeting Strategy and Objectives 22 Thibodaux Meeting

3/16/98 1 USACE Building, RPT Meeting Update and Discussion 12 New Orleans Meeting

3/18/98 3 New Iberia RPT Meeting Update and Discussion 11

3/18/98 3 New Iberia RPT Meeting Atchafalaya Bay Assn. 23

3/19/98 3 New Iberia RPT Meeting Update and Discussion 18

3/23/98 2 USACE Building, RPT Meeting Update and Discussion 29 New Orleans Meeting

3/31/98 4 Rockefeller State RPT Meeting Update and Discussion 40 Wildlife Refuge Meeting

4/07/98 3 New Iberia RPT Meeting Final Strategies and 16 Objectives Meeting

4/16/98 3 Morgan City RPT Meeting Needs List 9 Municipal Audit.

4/20/98 1,2 Convent Court RPT Meeting St. James Advisory 14 House, Convent Committee Meeting

5/12/98 3 Abbeville RPT Meeting Vermilion Rice Growers 25 Cooperative Office Association

5/20- 1, 2, USACE Building, SWG/CZMWG Review, Amend and Approve 51 21/98 3, 4 New Orleans Joint Meeting Strategies and Objectives

6/03/98 1, 2, Burden Research Town Meeting Present, Discuss, & Assess 26 3, 4 Center, Baton Rouge Results of Joint Meeting

6/04/98 1, 2, Yenni Building, Town Meeting Present, Discuss, & Assess 22 3, 4 Metairie Results of Joint Meeting

6/09/98 4 Cameron Police Jury Town Meeting Present, Discuss, & Assess 21 Building, Cameron Results of Joint Meeting

6/10/98 3, 4 Abbeville Town Meeting Present, Discuss, & Assess 93 Cooperative Office Results of Joint Meeting

6/11/98 3 Bayou Vista Civic Town Meeting Present, Discuss, & Assess 15 Center, Bayou Vista Results of Joint Meeting

6/15/98 2, 3 Cut Off Youth Town Meeting Present, Discuss, & Assess 30 Center, Cut Off Results of Joint Meeting

17 Table 2-2. Coast 2050 public meetings (cont).

6/16/98 3 Houma Municipal Town Meeting Present, Discuss, & Assess 38 Auditorium, Houma Results of Joint Meeting

6/23/98 2 Port Sulphur Civic Town Meeting Present, Discuss, & Assess 20 Center, Port Sulphur Results of Joint Meeting

6/24/98 1 SLU University Town Meeting Present, Discuss, & Assess 19 Center, Hammond Results of Joint Meeting

6/25/98 1, 2 St. Bernard Govt Town Meeting Present, Discuss, & Assess 42 Complex, Chalmette Results of Joint Meeting

7/07/98 2 Jean Lafitte Town Meeting Present, Discuss, & Assess 27 Auditorium, Lafitte Results of Joint Meeting

7/21- 1, 2, Holiday Inn Central- SWG/CZMWG Review and Approval of 34 22/98 3, 4 Holidome, Lafayette Joint Meeting Strategies and Objectives

9/09/98 4 Burton Coliseum, Regional Present, Discuss, & Assess 44 Lake Charles Meeting Results of Joint Meeting

9/10/98 3 National Wetlands Regional Present, Discuss, & Assess 15 Research Center, Meeting Results of Joint Meeting Lafayette

9/15/98 2 USACE Building, Regional Present, Discuss, & Assess 27 New Orleans Meeting Results of Joint Meeting

9/16/98 1 SLU University Regional Present, Discuss, & Assess 20 Center, Hammond Meeting Results of Joint Meeting

Total Meetings : 65

Total Attendance: 1,756

18 CHAPTER 3

COASTAL LOUISIANA TODAY

Coastal Louisiana is made up of two occurred in only a few areas along the wetland-dominated ecosystems, the Louisiana coast. One is the active Deltaic Plain of the Mississippi River, Mississippi delta, where a birdfoot which occupies Regions 1, 2, and most pattern of land extends out into deep of 3, and the closely linked Chenier water of the Gulf of Mexico (Russell et Plain, which lies within Region 4 and the al. 1936). The second is the Atchafalaya western part of Region 3 (Fig. 3-1). Both Delta where, since about 1950, subdeltas are influenced by the Mississippi River, have formed at the mouths of the Lower one of the great natural systems of North Atchafalaya River and the Wax Lake America. The rich renewable resource Outlet (Shlemon 1975; van Heerden and values related to the coastal wetlands are Roberts 1988; Roberts 1998). to a large extent the product of the dynamic nature of these systems. The The Delta Cycle Deltaic Plain and Chenier Plain ecosystems are shrinking in size and Delta building is cyclic. The delta cycle deteriorating in function because of begins when an upstream diversion natural changes and human intervention. directs a distributary of an alluvial river The Deltaic Plain, in particular, has lost toward some low-lying area of the coast vital subsystem components and (Scruton 1960; Coleman and Gagliano functions, and other components have 1964). When the stream enters an open been impaired to the extent that the water body (coastal lake or bay) and the system is in a condition of collapse. flow leaves the confines of the channel banks, there is a loss of velocity and Deltaic Plain Processes consequentially a reduction in the stream’s ability to transport sediment The Deltaic Plain (sand, silt, and clay). Sediment is deposited to form bars and shoals, which Under natural conditions, a vast wetland in turn may cause the channel to branch area developed as a result of delta- (Russell et al. 1936; Welder 1959; building processes (Russell et al. 1936; Coleman et al. 1969). In an open basin Fisk 1944; Kolb and van Lopik 1965; of deposition (bay or open gulf) the Frazier 1967; and many others). This stream splits or bifurcates (Fig. 3-3), build-up occurred over a 5,000-year sometimes rejoining. In a closed basin, period during which sea level conditions (such as the lakes in the Atchafalaya were relatively stable (Fig. 3-2). During Basin) the channel branches and rejoins historic times, delta building has

19

to form a braided pattern. The bars and The delta builds up or aggrades through shoals build up through flood overflow a combination of alluvial processes of the banks (overbank processes) and (overbank flooding, crevasses, lacustrine gradually emerge as land when the stage delta building), processes of vegetation falls. The newly formed land becomes growth (peat accumulation, flotant), and colonized by wetland vegetation. The biochemical processes (reefs and shell vegetation in turn reduces velocities of beaches). Continuation of aggradational overbank flow and captures sediment to processes is essential to maintenance of accelerate aggradation or build up. In the deltaic landmass. An equally this fashion a subdelta lobe forms and important aspect of this land-building advances seaward (progrades). Major process occurs when a new subdelta delta lobes are clusters of subdelta lobes lobe builds around the seaward end of an emanating from a common major river older lobe, providing protection to the distributary and form over a period of older landmass from erosive forces of 500 to 1,000 years (Frazier 1967). the gulf. As long as delta-building Subdelta lobes form in 50 to 100 years conditions remain favorable, the shore (Coleman and Gagliano 1964). Thus, an advances seaward and the delta builds induced subdelta formation is an coastal wetlands (regressive phase). In achievable event within the time frame of about 5,000 years, this process resulted the Coast 2050 Plan. in a landmass that was approximately 7,000 square miles (4.5 million acres) or Active delta-building areas are more in extent by the early 1700’s. dominated by fresh, turbid water. As the lobe increases in size, the spread and The deterioration phase begins with accumulation of vegetation become the natural closure of distributary feeder dominant processes in the upper part of channels at their heads (Fig. 3-3). The the system. In many instances, supply of fresh water and transported continuous unbroken mats of marsh sediment is cut off and no longer reaches grass form in basin areas between the seaward edge of the subdelta. The distributary channels. The vegetation newly deposited deltaic sediments impedes flow and chokes channels. subside rapidly, and marine processes Surface streams become rare, and become dominant. Water conditions in drainage becomes sluggish and is largely the lower end of the system become restricted to sheet flow. Energy levels brackish and saline. Waves and from water movement are very low, and longshore currents erode the subdelta water becomes anaerobic and stained by land mass (Fig. 3-4). These processes tannic acid. These conditions are winnow out the fine sediment (clays, conducive to preservation of organic plant materials, and silts) and leave sand particles and accumulation of peat size mineral particles and shells to form deposits (Fisk 1958) as well as the beaches, barrier islands, spits, and formation of floating marshes in these shoals. These formations are interdistributary basins (Russell 1942; progressively reworked by the waves O’Neil 1949). and currents into barrier headlands and

22 island arcs, that curve around the fronts gulf shore moves inland to the heads of of deteriorating subdeltas. the estuarine bays. Freshwater conditions may persist in the landward Landward of the barrier islands other remnants of the lobe from local dramatic changes occur. Marine tidal precipitation, but the system no longer invasion works its way landward into the receives fresh water and sediment input extensive wetland areas lying between through the original distributary system. the distributaries. Under natural The brackish and saline bays and conditions, the invasion is slow and is marshes are extensive components of driven by factors such as subsidence, the current system. storms, and animal eat-outs. The freshwater marshes and swamps Although a major part of the subdelta undergo two changes. Soft substrate landmass reverts to open water areas (floating marshes are particularly conditions during this phase, geometry vulnerable) give way to ponds, which and bottom conditions of the shallow slowly enlarge into lakes and bays. water bodies are a product of the delta Where the substrate is firm, freshwater building process. The shallow water plants are replaced by brackish water areas are a mix of island remnants, species. Brackish and saline marsh shoals, tidal passes and reefs, which communities become established. This result in optimum conditions, however salinity gradient, from fresh through unstable, for a large assemblage of saline marshes, results in a high level of estuarine fish and shore birds. Shell- biodiversity. Through this process the forming mollusks are particularly interdistributary basins become more important during this phase, as they add estuarine in character. At the same time coarse-grained sediment (calcium that slow marine invasion and carbonate) to the deteriorating delta. transformation are occurring in the lower These form reefs and wash up to (seaward) parts of the subdelta lobe, contribute to islands and beaches freshwater conditions continue to (Gagliano et al. 1997). While the flourish in the upper (landward) parts of terminal stage of the delta cycle is the lobe. The invasion process has been productive, without renewal through greatly accelerated by dredging of new delta growth, erosion and navigation channels and canals, which deterioration would become the alter the natural hydrology of the system. dominant processes. This would result in loss of the fringing wetlands, which are The advanced deterioration phase of the the basis for the productivity. delta cycle is reached when the barrier islands begin to diminish in size and The delta cycle creates diversity, drives fragment, and the estuarine bays ecological succession and is the basic separating the barrier arc from the renewal process operating in the delta mainland remnants of the subdelta lobe system (Gagliano and van Beek 1975; become broad and open. Eventually, the Gosselink 1984). Under natural barrier islands become shoals and the conditions, at any one time different

24 parts of the Deltaic Plain were in depths of the gulf. In the latter instance, different stages of the delta cycle. This mudstream sediments are largely lost to variety resulted in maximum diversity of the land building and maintenance fish and wildlife habitat and processes. environmental conditions. Chenier Plain Processes The Mudstream The Chenier Plain (Region 4 and the Every active subdelta has a “mudstream” western part of Region 3) is a complex (Fig. 3-5a and 3-5b). This mudstream system influenced primarily by four consists of the fine grained sediments coastal plain rivers, the intermittent (silts and clay) that stay in suspension longshore mudstream from the beyond the immediate area of the active Mississippi River outlets, and the Gulf of distributary outlets and move along the Mexico. The landforms and geological coast in response to coastal currents history have been described by Howe et (Morgan et al. 1953; van Lopik 1955; al. (1935) and Gould and McFarlan Adams et al. 1978; van Heerden 1983; (1959) and the ecosystem by Gosselink Wells and Roberts 1980; Kemp 1986; et al. (1979). Byrnes et al. (1995) studied Roberts 1998). Twenty-five percent or historic shoreline dynamics and change. more of the transported sediment The dominant longshore drift along the escapes deposition in the immediate area Louisiana coast is from east to west, and of the distributary outlets and is carried as a result, during intervals when the away in the mudstream. If the subdelta Mississippi is active along the western is building into shallow waters of a bay side of the Deltaic Plain, the mudstream or the inner continental shelf, these fine- moves fine-grained sediment towards the grained sediments may be transported Chenier Plain and mudflats form. These by longshore currents. If the mudstream are colonized by marsh grass and have flows along the fronts of barrier islands added new wetlands to the coast. or the gulf shore, tidal action may move Conversely, when the Mississippi some of the turbid waters into subdeltas have been on the east side of interdistributary areas through tidal the Deltaic Plain, the gulf shore along the passes and tidal networks, but sediment Chenier Plain has been subjected to transported by the mudstream is too fine erosion. The long-term result during the grained to contribute to the sand budgets past 5,000 years has been episodes of of the islands. Some of the mudstream shoreline progradation interrupted by sediment may eventually form mudflats episodes of retreat, but progradation has along the open shore of the gulf. If the been greater than retreat. A new interval distributary outlets discharge into deep of land building along the eastern part of waters (far out on the continental shelf or the Chenier Plain is now unfolding beyond the shelf edge as in the case of because extensive mudflats began to the modern birdfoot delta) deposition form about 1950 as a result of outgrowth resulting from the mudstream may be on of the Atchafalaya delta lobes. Since the sea bottom of the shelf or into the

25

1950, the shoreline along the eastern end lakes, Grand Lake and White Lake, of the Chenier Plain has been developed in the eastern part of this prograding, and although the zone. The Mermentau River passes progradation is advancing toward the through Grand Lake on its way to the west, the rest is still eroding. sea. Before the bars across the tidal passes were removed for navigation, the During the erosion intervals, fine-grained lakes and adjacent marshes were largely materials were winnowed out leaving lag fresh. On the seaward side of the most deposits of sand and shell which form prominent chenier trend, however, was a gulf beaches. The beach deposits were zone of brackish to saline marshes. shaped by waves and coastal currents Locally, tidal stream networks have into ridge systems. A high percentage of developed in this zone. the composition of the ridges is shell, reflecting the paucity of sand-sized Resulting Landscape mineral sediment in the mudflat and marsh sediment, which was eroded back. Uplands, Ridgelands, and Fastlands The geometry of the ridges is more complex where they meet the river High, firm land is rare in coastal mouth estuaries. Here, fans of accretion Louisiana. Elevations of the wetlands beaches and curved spits occur. Ridge are barely above mean gulf level and at systems became separated from the best the soils are soft and poorly seashore during intervals of consolidated. In contrast to the progradation. The relict shell beach wetlands, geologically older uplands ridges are covered with live oak trees and bordering the Deltaic and Chenier Plains stand as linear islands in the marsh. have higher elevations and firmer soils. These are the cheniers of southwestern Within the Deltaic Plain, finger-like Louisiana. Development of the beach patterns of narrow alluvial ridges, which ridges and cheniers blocked drainage and reach out toward the gulf, are also higher saltwater inflows. This blockage in turn and firmer. These natural levees, formed resulted in the development of large by overbank processes, occur along freshwater basins on the landward side active and abandoned Mississippi River of the ridges. distributaries. In the Chenier Plain, the relict beaches constitute the highest land The marshes and ridges are interrupted and are generally parallel to the gulf by Calcasieu and Sabine Lakes, which shore. In addition, there are human- were initially formed as bays in the made ridge features throughout the drowned river valleys of the Calcasieu coastal lowlands, which include railroad and Sabine Rivers during the Holocene and highway embankments, artificial rise of sea level. The rivers form small levees, and dredged material ridges deltas at the heads of these lakes. The (“spoil banks”) along waterways. lower ends were naturally blocked by bar formation, with only a small tidal pass The natural and man-made ridges form outlet. Through time, two other large the skeletal framework to which the

27 coastal wetlands are attached. They corridors, while ecosystem management form hydrologic basin divides, and they is appropriate and effective in the are more resistant to erosion than the estuarine basins (Gagliano and van Beek wetlands. Historically, human 1975). settlement and activity have been on the uplands and have followed the natural Estuarine Basins levee and chenier ridges. The alluvial soils of the higher ridges were fertile and The Coast 2050 Plan directs ecosystem well suited for agriculture and the ridges management planning toward the vast also provided corridors of access to the interdistributary estuarine basins. The resources of the coastal wetlands, upper end of the Deltaic Plain basins are estuaries, and the gulf. Deltaic Plain occupied by large freshwater swamps cities such as New Orleans, Thibodaux, and marshes (Fig. 3-6). Each of these Houma, Morgan City, and Empire were wetland types is represented by certain initially established on the crests of plant species (Table 3-1). These natural levees. Chenier Plain wetlands are not dependent upon the communities located on old beach ridges sea. They can occur far inland from the include Cameron and Grand Chenier. shore or be completely separated from the brackish and saline marshes by Fastlands are areas surrounded by natural ridges or artificial levees. They artificial levees, which provide protection may be subject to rise and fall of the tide, from river and storm flooding, and but not ebb and flow. These are low within which there is a system of energy environments. They change drainage canals, ditches, and pumps. slowly and have thick sequences of These forced drainage areas are usually organic soils or floating grass root mats. located between natural levee ridges and They have isolated lakes and backswamp adjacent backswamp areas. Within them drainage channels, but water movement lie most of the agricultural, urban, and through the basins is largely industrial land of the coastal zone. unchannelized. The middle and lower ends of the estuary contain lakes and The need to use strategic locations close bays fringed by saline and brackish to the resources and water transportation marshes. These are subject to the ebb routes has resulted in settlement of low- and flow of the tides, and consequently lying ridges outside of the protective the water is brackish to saline. They are fastland levees. Important unleveed higher energy areas increasingly corridors include Grand Chenier- dominated by tidal and marine processes Cameron, Lower Lafourche, Cocodrie, in a seaward direction. Lafitte-Barataria, Yscloskey, and Delacroix Island. Saline grasses require a firm substrate. Such conditions occur in relict natural The landforms and human settlement levees, over-wash on the bay side of pattern are well suited for multiple use. barrier islands, rims of bays, banks of Infrastructure is located on the uplands, tidal streams and firm peat deposits that within the fastlands, and along unleveed

28 have accumulated initially as fresh Larimore 1957; Penland and Boyd marshes. In such instances, salt-tolerant 1981). They initially formed from vegetation is able to maintain a firm reworking of abandoned subdeltas by footing and can develop a tightly waves and currents. Since the sand interwoven root mat that is resistant to budget of each arc is limited to sand erosion. Like their fresh marsh which can be eroded from the old delta counterparts, salt marsh islands with headlands, all are sand deficient and favorable tidal exchange may remain deteriorating (Williams et al. 1992; viable for thousands of years, except for McBride and Byrnes 1995; Stone et al. edge erosion. 1997; Stone and McBride 1998).

Under natural conditions, there was a Port Fourchon, an important offshore hydrologic balance within the basins petroleum industry supply port, is which was a major factor in determining located on a barrier headland, and Grand the distribution of wetland vegetation. Isle, a beach resort and fishing village, is Self-regulating mechanisms controlled located on a barrier island. These gulf outflow of freshwater runoff and inflow shore communities of the Deltaic Plain and interchange of tidal waters from the are linked to the mainland by La. gulf. Change was driven by the delta Highway 1. cycle, but was slow and almost imperceptible. Along the Chenier Plain, segments of the gulf shore are made up of (1) mudflats, Barrier Islands and Gulf Shore (2) shell and sand beaches, and (3) fans of accretion beaches at lake tidal passes. Separating the basins from the open gulf There are also beach resort communities are chains of barrier islands. The islands in the Chenier Plain, such as Holly occur in four arcs, each of which fringes Beach and Peveto Beach, that can be an abandoned delta lobe (Morgan and reached by La. Highway 82.

Table 3-1. Swamp and marsh salinity ranges and major plant species. Habitat type Salinity Major plant species range (ppt) Fresh Swamp 0-1 Taxodium distichum, Nyssa aquatica Fresh Marsh 0-3 Panicum hemitomon, Sagittaria falcata Intermediate Marsh 2-5 Sagittaria falcata, Spartina patens Brackish Marsh 4-15 Spartina patens, Scirpus americanus Saline Marsh 12+ Spartina alterniflora, Distichlis spicata

30 CHAPTER 4

DETERIORATION OF THE LANDSCAPE

Rates and Patterns of Loss

The balance of Louisiana’s coastal systems has been upset by a combination of natural processes and human activities. Massive coastal erosion, which began around 1890 and peaked during the 1950’s and 1960’s, has resulted in loss and deterioration of wetlands, barrier islands, and ridges (Fig. 4-1a,b,c). During a period of little more than 100 years, more than one million acres, or about 20% of the coastal lowlands (mostly wetlands), have eroded. Because it took about 5,000 years for the coastal lowlands to form, it follows that 1,000 years of natural land building was eroded in about one century. As a result, both the Deltaic and Chenier Plain systems are badly degraded. The Deltaic Plain has lost and continues to lose subsystem components and is approaching a condition of system collapse.

The distribution of the land loss sheds light on the causes (Fig. 4-2). The losses are not uniformly distributed, but rather are concentrated in a few areas. The two areas of highest loss are (1) within the Deltaic Plain in the lower Terrebonne and Barataria Basins and the Mississippi Figure 4-1. Loss rates of the entire Basin, and (2) in the Chenier Plain in the Louisiana coastal area, Deltaic Plain, and vicinity of Calcasieu and Sabine Lakes. Chenier Plain. Land loss rates are expressed in square miles per year (after Dunbar et al. 1992).

31

There is no single cause for all of the elevation of the land and the sea (relative wetland and land loss in coastal sea level rise). Louisiana. The sustainability of the coastal ecosystems is threatened, The average rate of sea level rise is however, by the inability of many currently 0.39 ft/century (0.12 cm/year). wetlands to maintain their surface Until recently, the sea level rise rate has elevation in the face of subsidence and been low, accounting for only a small sea level rise. A discussion of these component of the change along the issues and the other major causes of land Louisiana coast. Most of the recorded loss follows. relative sea level rise has been related to subsidence. The best estimate of sea Factors Controlling Marsh level experts is that the level of the Sustainability world’s oceans will increase 8 inches (20 cm) over the next 50 years (Fig. 4-3). Sea Level Rise Subsidence The combined effect of the worldwide rise of sea level resulting from glacial Subsidence is the combined effect of melting and subsidence or land sinking geological movement along faults and results in relative changes between the compaction of poorly consolidated sediments.

20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6

Level (inches) 4

Sea 2 0 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2030 2040 2050 2060 2070 2080 2090 2100 Year

Figure 4-3. Projected best estimate of worldwide rise in sea level (Wigley and Raper 1992).

33 Compaction coastal zone are generally rising in isostatic adjustment to sediment loading Compaction is related to the type and in coastal basins. Fault trends and zones thickness of Holocene Period (modern) separating rising blocks and sinking sediment that has accumulated on top of blocks are called hinge lines. Cities on the weathered surface of the Pleistocene upland rising blocks include Slidell, formation during the past 5,000 years. Mandeville, Ponchatoula, Baton Rouge, This buried top of the Pleistocene is a Lafayette, Abbeville, and Lake Charles. continuation of the land surface of the uplands and before burial was exposed The area of most intensive faulting by low sea level stands during the last ice occurs within a triangle in the Deltaic age. A prism of modern sedimentary Plain, which is bounded by the NE-SW deposits (sands, silts, clays, peat beds, trending Thibodaux fault trend, the NW- and shell beds) accumulated above the SE trending Terre aux Boeufs fault trend weathered surface during the rise and the and the Gulf of Mexico. Of the many relative still-stand of the sea that fault trends cutting across this block, the followed glacial melting. The poorly Theriot-Golden Meadow-Forts fault consolidated clay and peat beds had trends are the most important and higher water content at the time of subdivide the block into a northern and deposition. They were compacted and southern component (Fig. 4-4). lost volume after burial. This compaction process, which still Subsidence Rates continues, contributes to subsidence. Where these deposits are thick, Data for calculating subsidence come compaction and subsidence rates are from a number of sources. These data higher. include: (1) depth of surfaces upon which human structures (prehistoric Sinking of Fault-bounded Blocks Indian village sites, lighthouses, forts, roads, etc.) were built; (2) radiometric Hundreds of faults have been mapped in dating of buried peat deposits; (3) tidal the coastal area by petroleum geologists gauge records; and (4) sequential land (Wallace 1957). The fault pattern is surveying. The latter technique provides complex. Many faults are deep seated, the best measure of present subsidence and the most significant occur in trends rates. and zones (Fisk 1944; Murray 1960; Fig. 4-4). These fault trends and zones define Studies conducted by Shea Penland and irregularly shaped blocks, which may be others (Ramsey and Moslow 1987; rising, subsiding, and/or tilting in relation Penland et al. 1988; Penland et al. 1989; to neighboring blocks (Gagliano and van Penland and Ramsey 1990) have led to Beek 1993). the conclusion that the subsidence rate for the Deltaic Plain is 3.0 to 4.3 All blocks within the coastal zone are ft/century (0.9 to 1.3 cm/yr) and for the subsiding. Upland areas bordering the

34

Chenier Plain it is 1.3 to 2.0 ft/century measurements have been made are (0.4 to 0.6 cm/yr). located on major natural levee ridges in the Deltaic Plain. Since none of the Subsidence rates in some areas of coastal benchmark locations are aggrading, and Louisiana have increased significantly the elevations are not referenced to tide during modern decades (Van Beek et al. gauges, the changes in elevations are true 1986; Penland et al. 1988). A small part measures of subsidence. Little of this change can be attributed to subsidence rate information is available worldwide increase in sea level. Based for the Chenier Plain. on sequential land surveying measure- ments, the combined subsidence/sea Bordering uplands are stable (Fig. 4-5). level rise rate in some of the most severe Subsidence rates in the Chenier Plain are subsidence areas is more than 3.0 feet classified as low (0-1 ft/century), with per century. Since the present world one exception. The area around wide average rate of sea level rise is only Calcasieu Lake is classified as low to 0.394 foot per century, it appears that the intermediate (0 – 2 ft/century). A second land elevation in some areas of coastal area of low subsidence is found along Louisiana is being reduced in elevation the north side of the Pontchartrain Basin, eight times faster than the sea level rise including the area north of Lake rate. The difference is related to the Maurepas, the Pontchartrain land bridge, combined effects of fault movement and and the Biloxi and St. Bernard marshes. sediment compaction. Intermediate subsidence rates occur in a The areas of highest subsidence appear broad band extending from Freshwater to be related to fault movement and are Bayou Canal to Chandeleur Sound. This found in the lower Deltaic Plain within includes Marsh Island and the the fault-bounded triangle described Vermilion-West Cote Blanche, East Cote above. Subsidence in the blocks Blanche, Atchafalaya Bay, Penchant and bounded by these faults is high (2.1 – 3.5 Verret Basins, the upper Barataria Basin, ft/century). The area of highest rates the Maurepas Basin, and the corridor (> 3.5 ft/century) is found in the lower along Bayou La Loutre. delta below the Forts fault. Relationship Between Faulting, Patterns of Subsidence Subsidence, and Land Loss

Figure 4-5 shows patterns of subsidence There appears to be a strong relationship rates by mapping unit. The rates shown between faulting, subsidence, and land are derived from sequential land loss (Penland et al. 1989; Gagliano and surveying data, which have been Van Beek 1993; Kuecher 1994). There extrapolated to the mapping units on the are major fault trends and zones basis of fault patterns. The rates should associated with areas of high land loss be regarded as “best estimates.” Most of (Fig. 4-4). In the Deltaic Plain, the areas the benchmarks where the of highest subsidence occur within

36 the fault-bounded triangle and of these processes varies across coastal particularly south of the Theriot-Golden Louisiana with physiographic setting and Meadow-Forts fault trends. Sixty percent marsh type. or more of the total land loss for the entire coastal zone, and approximately Inorganic Sediment Supply and 80% or more of the loss within the Deposition Deltaic Plain has occurred within this fault-bounded area. Three of the four The average annual suspended load of barrier island arcs, as well as Golden the Mississippi River presently reaching Meadow, Leeville, Cocodrie, Port the gulf is approximately 78 million Fourchon, Grand Isle, Empire, and cubic yards. This amount is Venice, are on the fault-bounded blocks approximately half of the sediment within this triangle. Relative sea level rise reaching the gulf prior to the 1950’s rates are expected to be 0.4-0.6 inches when dams were placed on many per year in this region by 2050. tributaries of the river and extensive channel control works were Within the Deltaic Plain, between the implemented (Meade and Parker 1985, hinge line and the fault bounded Meade et al. 1990). Artificial levees, triangular block, is a zone of relatively which now line the lower river almost to low to moderate sinking rates and land the Gulf of Mexico, however, prevent loss rates. The cities of Chalmette, New even this smaller amount of sediment Orleans, Houma, and Thibodaux are from being dispersed into the adjacent located within this zone. flood plain and wetlands by preventing overbank flow and crevasse splay Aggradation vs. Relative Sea Level Rise formation. Most river sediments are now funneled to the mouth of the river The vulnerability of coastal systems to where they are discharged off the sea level rise is a combination of their continental shelf. There are few direct sensitivity to the change and their ability avenues for the input of suspended to adapt to the change (Raper et al. sediment from the Mississippi and 1996). The elevation of a coastal marsh Atchafalaya Rivers into the coastal surface in relation to the tide is critical to wetlands of Louisiana. The isolation of its survival and sustainability. the wetlands from riverine sediments impairs their ability to keep pace with The combined stresses imposed on relative sea level rise. coastal marshes by subsidence and eustatic sea level rise require that vertical The main source of suspended sediment building of marsh soils must take place to the vast areas of coastal marsh that are to prevent submergence and isolated from the Mississippi and deterioration. The main processes Atchafalaya Rivers is the reworking of controlling soil building are inorganic sediments from the nearshore and sediment deposition and organic matter coastal bays during storms (Reed 1989; accumulation. The relative importance Cahoon et al. 1995a). Some marshes

38 close to the newly emerging Atchafalaya marshes form when natural “attached” delta do receive sediments from riverine organic marshes are subjected to sources. In these areas vertical accretion subsidence or sea level rise and the rates for non-hurricane conditions are buoyant organic mat is subjected to high (DeLaune et al. 1992; Childers and increasing upward tension. It eventually Day 1990; Baumann et al. 1984; Cahoon breaks free from its mineral substrate et al. 1995b). In addition, these marsh and floats. This adaptation to soils have much higher bulk densities subsidence and sea level rise relies upon than those of salt marshes in parts of the the buoyancy of the organic mat—a Mississippi Delta removed from riverine characteristic of marshes with minimal sediment inputs (Hatton et al. 1983, mineral sediment deposition. Thus the DeLaune et al. 1992). development of floating marshes is probably constrained to areas of low Organic Matter Accumulation salinity, low mineral sediment inputs, a firm skeletal framework (natural levees, The elevation of some marshes in coastal cheniers, spoil banks, lake rims, etc.) and Louisiana with low sediment input is low water energy conditions. These maintained by the accumulation of floating marshes are very susceptible to organic matter within the marsh soil. damage by hurricanes. Organic matter accumulation is maximized in fresher marshes which In brackish and fresh marshes, produce more material and where limited hydrologic changes which increase tidal exchange reduces the export of salinity or result in ponding of water on plant material. the marsh surface can cause plant deterioration. These changes reduce the In areas of low subsidence, such as the production of organic matter and Chenier Plain, marsh elevation is increase the sensitivity of the marshes to maintained through organic matter submergence. In addition, large, rapid accumulation. In areas with higher rates increases in salinity may result in plant of relative sea level rise, marsh survival death in the less resilient intermediate may be due to the development of and fresh marshes. “flotant” or floating marshes. Floating marshes are described by Sasser (1994) Survival or Submergence? as “wetlands of emergent vegetation with a mat of live roots and associated The factors controlling sediment delivery dead and decomposing organic material to coastal marshes depend on the extent and mineral sediments, that moves of riverine influence and hydrologic vertically as ambient water levels rise and reworking of coastal sediments. In fall.” That the mat can move in response addition, alterations to marsh hydrology to water level variations suggests that can affect whether sediments within these marshes are unlikely to be stressed channels and bayous actually reach the by gradual increases in relative sea level. marsh surface. Canal spoil banks and O’Neil (1949) suggested that floating levee impoundments reduce the amount

39 of sediment deposition on the marsh Storms surface (Reed et al. 1997) and may ultimately reduce the ability of affected Much of the coastal loss has occurred marshes to keep pace with subsidence during storm events, which include not and sea level rise. Organic matter only hurricanes, but also storms related accumulation varies with vegetative type, to passages of fronts, which are most and the zonation of swamps, fresh, severe in winter months. Within several brackish and saline marshes across the days, storms can cause major landform coast reflects gradients in salinity. alterations to barrier islands and the gulf Variations in sediment supply combine shore. Alterations may include removal with gradients in salinity to produce and redistribution of sediment and complex patterns that control whether creation and alteration of inlets. marshes can survive relative sea level Hurricane impact is the single most rise—whether they are sustainable in the important factor in erosion and alteration long-term. At present, different marsh of barrier islands. Damage may be types are maintained by different equally devastating to muddy shorelines, processes and the resulting diversity of banks and the marshes. Creation of a habitat types is an essential characteristic number of large lakes as the result of of the productive coastal ecosystem. rupture and stripping away of root mats in floating marsh have been Other Major Causes of Losses documented. Surge scour may also tear away rooted marsh vegetation. Salt Altered Hydrology water and plant materials pushed and thrown inland by storm surge and tide Navigation channels and canals dredged have also greatly altered marsh for oil and gas extraction have vegetation communities. In the Chenier dramatically altered the hydrology of the Plain, for example, in 1957 Hurricane coastal area. North-south channels and Audrey brought saline water into fresh canals brought salt water into fresh marshes and caused extensive loss. marshes where the salinity and sulfides killed the vegetation. Saltwater intrusion, Interior Marsh Loss caused by channel deepening, endangers the potable water supply of much of the Much land loss and marsh deterioration coastal region (Fig. 4-6). Canals also along the Louisiana coast has occurred increased tidal processes that impacted where fresh marshes and swamps have the marsh by increasing erosion. East- been subjected to marine tidal processes, west canals impeded sheetflow, ponded usually the result of subsidence and water on the marsh, and led to stress and exacerbated by canal dredging. In such eventual loss. Jetties at the mouth of the areas the marshes are affected by several Mississippi River directed sediment into factors. First is the invasion of higher deep waters of the gulf. salinity water and related sulfide formation, which kills the fresh and intermediate vegetation that makes up the floating mats. In some instances, the fresh and intermediate grasses are

40 Herbivory replaced by more salt-tolerant, brackish vegetation, but such vegetation can only Nutria, accidently released in the 1930’s, successfully colonize areas of firm became unprofitable to trap in the substrate. Consequently, floating 1980’s. The nutria multiplied rapidly marshes and marshes with poorly and grazed heavily on marsh plants. consolidated substrate do not make the This grazing imposed additional stress transition to brackish and saline marsh, on marsh plants, frequently resulting in but instead revert to unvegetated mud mortality, as well as physically flats. disrupting the substrate, thereby accelerating marsh loss. This destruction Secondly, if breaches occur in the of wetland plants has been well skeletal framework of natural levee documented in the Barataria and ridges and lake rims which hold the fresh Terrebonne Basins. and intermediate marshes together, a tidal pumping process quickly removes Dredge and Fill Activities the fluid and semi-fluid soils and the barren mud flats are converted to ponds, Prior to the regulation of dredge and fill lakes, and bays. activities in wetlands, large areas of swamp and marsh were converted into Edge Erosion fastlands for agricultural, residential and industrial uses. This practice has been In the past 100 years, the total barrier almost completely halted, but dredge island area in Louisiana has declined and fill for petroleum exploration, 55% (Fig. 4-7), at a rate of 155 acres per pipelines, canal developments, and year (Williams et al. 1992), largely due to industrial uses have directly and storm overwash and wave erosion. In indirectly contributed to marsh many ways the shorelines of bays and destruction. lakes and the banks of canals and streams are even more vulnerable to Consequences of Land Loss erosion than the barrier islands. The Louisiana coast has approximately 350 The consequences of massive landscape miles of sandy shoreline along its barrier change and ecosystem deterioration are islands and gulf beaches; however, there real for all coastal communities. Some are about 30,000 miles of land-water swamps and marshes are presently interface along the bays, lakes, canals surviving relative sea level rise and and streams. Most of these consist of provide the basis for our productive muddy shorelines and banklines, and coastal fishery. Not all parts of the virtually all are eroding. In many system can survive in this way. instances, rims of firmer soil around lakes and bays, and natural levees along streams have eroded away leaving highly organic marsh soils directly exposed to open water wave attack.

41 The Human Landscape combined effect of regional subsidence, alterations to hydrology at all scales, Ridges only aggrade or build up when episodic storms, and local factors such they are being formed along the banks of as herbivory and canal bank erosion can active distributaries or as active gulf lead to conditions across the coastal beaches. Surface elevations of all relict landscape which cause severe stress to natural levee ridges, chenier ridges, wetland plants, and ultimately their artificial ridges, embankments, levees, death. Any alterations which allow and fastlands become lower through marsh soils to be excessively time in response to subsidence. The waterlogged, either by preventing protection levees around fastlands aggradation of the marsh surface or by prevent aggradation; therefore, all physically ponding water within the fastland areas within the coastal zone are wetlands, cause soil chemical changes subsiding (Fig. 4-6). The problem of which even the most resilient marsh reduction of land surface elevation is plants cannot survive. Once plants die, exacerbated in forced drainage districts roots no longer provide structure and within fastlands, where drained soils integrity to marsh soils, and land loss shrink and compact. Surface elevations results. The multiplicity of factors that within some fastland areas in eastern contribute to loss and their complex New Orleans are more than 10 feet interactions across the coast produce below mean gulf level. Surface problems that are truly vast in scale. elevations of the higher lands in selected coastal towns and cities are shown in The integrity of the coastal landscape is Table 4-1. The projected reductions in severely threatened. The salinity surface elevation as a result of the gradients within the estuarine basins combined effects of subsidence and sea support the diversity of habitats essential level rise by the year 2050 and 2100 are to the function of these systems. These also shown. gradients are maintained by the skeletal distributary ridges and cheniers and The levees that contain the fastlands are barrier shorelines at the gulf. Because constructed of earth and cannot the low-lying barrier islands and cheniers withstand marine erosive forces. suffer overwash and fragmentation Deterioration of coastal marshes means during storms (Fig. 4-7), many of them these levees are increasingly exposed to will probably be gone by 2050. If these open water. Furthermore, all vital components of the systems are infrastructure along the unleveed allowed to disappear, the essential corridors is subject to sinking and character of the estuarine basins will exposure to waves, tides, and storm change drastically. surges. Within the basins, the loss of extensive Collapse of the Natural System marsh areas and the progressive degradation of upper-basin swamps Outside of the fastlands, the coastal mean that critical subsystem ecosystem is in a state of collapse. The components are becoming massively diminished.

42

While open water habitat is a critical with ridges, barriers, marshes, and component of the natural coastal system swamps to provide sustainable in Louisiana, it must be interspersed productivity into the future.

35,000

30,000

25,000

20,000

15,000 Area (acres)

10,000

5,000

0 pre 1890 1922-1934 1951-1956 1973-1978 1988 Time Period of Estimate

Figure 4-7. Estimates of Louisiana barrier island area (Wiliams et al. 1992).

44 Table 4-1. Subsidence of coastal cities and communities.

Subsidence 2050 2100 Range of Subsidence plus sea level elevation elevation land elevation inches/year rise loss loss (feet) (50 Yr) inches/year (feet) (feet) (50 Yr) New Orleans* -10.0 to +15.0 0.08 0.30 1.25 2.82 Thibodaux +2.0 to +12.0 0.08 0.31 1.28 2.92 Hopedale +1.0 to +2.5 0.09 0.32 1.35 3.02** Golden Meadow* -3.0 to +2.0 0.09 0.32 1.35 3.02** Leeville +1.0 to +2.0 0.12 0.39 1.61** 3.54**

Pointe a la 0.15 0.44 4.00** -3.0 to +4.0 1.84 Hache* Grand Isle +1.0 to +2.0 0.18 0.50 2.07** 4.60**

* Areas with forced drainage districts. ** Areas where projected loss of elevation approaches or exceeds elevation of highest land.

45 46 CHAPTER 5

COASTAL LOUISIANA IN 2050

Historic Coastal Land Loss significant amounts of marsh because of ponding of water by levees. Other major Historic land loss was determined with causes of land loss in the region were the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers shoreline erosion, subsidence, and (USACE) land loss data base (Dunbar et altered hydrology. Much of the recent al. 1992). This data base consists of loss is due to shoreline erosion. eight maps that cover most of the Louisiana coastal area. Areas that From 1932 to 1990, Region 2 lost nearly changed from land to water are 360,000 acres of marsh, 35% of the delineated for four time periods: 1932- marsh that existed in 1932 (Appendix 56, 1956-74, 1974-83, and 1983-90. The D). Half of this loss was in brackish and land loss was determined for each of the saline marsh. About one third of the loss four regions for each time period. Then, was fresh marsh. Altered hydrology and the Regional Planning Teams determined nutria herbivory contributed significantly the major causes of loss within each to losses in upper Barataria. Marshes region. Data from Penland et al. (1996) fringing large lakes and bays disappeared were used, in addition to knowledge due to wind-induced shoreline erosion. gained from area residents familiar with In the southern and eastern portions of the marsh (see Appendix B for Barataria, high subsidence rates methodology). contributed to marsh loss. Excessive water on the marsh also caused loss From 1932 to 1990, Region 1 lost along the lower Bayou Lafourche approximately 74,800 acres of marsh out corridor. Saltwater brought in by of a total of 322,000 acres (Appendix C). navigation channels and oil and gas Overall, 23% of the 1932 marsh was lost. exploration also contributed to losses. The construction of the Mississippi River Plaquemines Parish marshes west of the Gulf Outlet (MRGO) in the early 1960’s river were lost because of altered caused loss of marsh from both its hydrology, saltwater intrusion, and “footprint” (area of direct impact) and faulting. Hurricane damage and the the saline water it allowed to enter the extremely high subsidence rates caused basin once the La Loutre Ridge was marsh loss in the active Mississippi River breached. These events led to high loss Delta. Saltwater intrusion and altered in the areas surrounding the MRGO and hydrology caused loss of interior marsh in areas more removed such as the in the Breton Sound Basin. Pontchartrain/ Maurepas Land Bridge. Marshes in eastern New Orleans lost

47 From 1932 to 1990, Region 3 lost marsh vegetation. These two factors are approximately 247,650 acres of marsh, most commonly cited causes of historic or about 24% of the 1932 marsh wetland loss. Shoreline erosion along (Appendix E). The central and eastern major lakes, bays and the Gulf of portions of the Terrebonne Basin Mexico, especially in the vicinity of experienced massive losses of fresh to Rockefeller Refuge, is also a significant brackish marshes. An intermediate to cause of ongoing loss. high natural subsidence rate and altered hydrology caused by canals are probably Projected Land Loss Rates responsible for the losses. These two and Locations factors led to excessive flooding in these wetlands. Shoreline erosion was severe The 1974-90 marsh loss rate for each along the fringes of the bays and large mapping unit was projected into the lakes. Wetlands in western Terrebonne future to estimate the acres of marsh lost showed some loss during this period, but by 2050. These numbers must be the rate was much less than in central recognized as a “best estimate.” Coastal and eastern Terrebonne, which is far Louisiana is estimated to lose nearly removed from the influence of the 514,460 acres of marsh by 2050—21% Atchafalaya River. Even though these of today’s marsh. If the benefits of western Terrebonne wetlands have a low freshwater diversions (49,000 additional loss rate, many of them are stressed by acres by 2050) and the Breaux Act excessive flooding and ponding of water. coastal restoration projects (nearly 66,000 additional acres by 2050) are From 1932 to 1990, Region 4 (excluding included in the calculations, nearly the four western mapping units south of 115,000 acres of that loss will be the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway) lost prevented. Thus, with current about 226,000 acres of the original restoration efforts we should prevent 893,300 acres that existed in 1932 about 22% of the predicted loss. (Appendix F). This equates to a loss of Nevertheless, with the current level of 25% of the 1932 marsh over the 58-year restoration we will still lose nearly period. The four mapping units in the 400,000 acres of marsh. Table 5-1 shows western portion of the Calcasieu-Sabine the acres of marsh lost with and without Basin are not in the USACE New restoration for various areas of the coast. Orleans District historical land loss data base. According to Barras et al. (1994), The location of the projected loss was these four units lost 15,950 acres from identified by selectively modifying the 1978-90 or 18% of the 1978 marsh. The 1993 LANDSAT image. The result is a significant hydrologic alterations caused map of coastal Louisiana that indicates by major ship channels and the Gulf where marsh might be lost by 2050 Intracoastal Waterway allow saltwater (Figs. 1-1 and 1-2). intrusion. Locks are often operated in a manner that is less than optimal for the

48 Projected Habitat Conversions the projected acreage by habitat type in 2050. The habitat type with the greatest To project the distribution of habitat projected marsh loss varies from region types for 2050, the land loss projection to region. In Region 1, 42% of the 1990 maps described above were intermediate marsh is lost by 2050. In superimposed on the 1990 habitat maps. Regions 2 and 3, saline marsh shows the This methodology assumes that the greatest loss with 32% of the saline location of future habitat zones will not marsh in these regions being converted shift. These zones have shifted both to open water by 2050. The growing north and south in the past, so, that they deltas in Atchafalaya Bay will allow will remain as they are is a simplistic fresh marsh in Region 3 to decrease by assumption. only 2%. In Region 4, brackish marshes show the greatest losses; 19% of the Table 5-2 shows the acreage of the 1990 brackish marshes are projected to existing habitat types in each region and become open water.

Table 5-1. Wetland loss projections. Acres of Net acres of Acres of Acres of marsh marsh lost swamp lost marsh lost preserved by by 2050 at by 2050 at Acres of by 2050 the Breaux current Acres of current marsh in without Act and restoration swamp in restoration Region Basin 1990 restoration diversions levels 1990 levels 1 Pontchartrain 253,000 50,330 4,720 45,610 213,570 105,100 2 Breton 171,100 44,480 17,900 26,580 0 0 Sound 2 Mississippi 64,100 24,730 18,340 6,390 0 0 Delta 2 Barataria 423,500 134,990 42,420 92,570 146,360 80,090 3 Terrebonne 488,800 145,250 5,170 140,080 152,400 46,700 3 Atchafalaya 48,800 (30,030)* 8,080 (38,110)* 12,600 0 3 Teche/ 234,300 32,160 3,360 28,800 18,390 0 Vermilion 4 Mermentau 441,000 61,710 2,600 59,110 370 0 4 Calcasieu/ 317,100 50,840 12,440 38,400 170 0 Sabine Total 2,441,700 514,460 115,030 399,430 543,860 231,890 *Due to delta building, acres will be gained in the Atchafalaya Basin.

49 Table 5-2. Existing and projected habitat types in each Coast 2050 region. Fresh Intermediate Brackish Saline marsh Total marsh acres marsh acres marsh acres acres marsh acres Region 1: Acreage in 1990 34,700 27,700 110,900 79,700 253,000

Projected acreage in 2050 30,100 16,000 99,900 61,400 207,400 Net acres lost by 2050* 4,600 11,700 11,000 18,300 45,600

Percent 1990 marsh lost 13% 42% 10% 23% 18%

Region 2: Acreage in 1990 220,100 73,000 214,500 151,100 658,700

Projected acreage in 2050 194,250 61,900 174,900 102,100 533,150 Net acres lost by 2050* 25,850 11,100 39,600 49,000 125,550

Percent 1990 marsh lost 12% 15% 18% 32% 19%

Region 3: Acreage in 1990 298,300 92,700 240,700 140,200 771,900

Projected acreage in 2050 292,330 69,100 184,800 94,900 641,130 Net acres lost by 2050* 5,970 23,600 55,900 45,300 130,770

Percent 1990 marsh lost 2% 25% 23% 32% 17%

Region 4: Acreage in 1990 354,600 171,700 198,600 33,200 758,100

Projected acreage in 2050 317,070 151,070 160,200 32,250 660,590 Net acres lost by 2050* 37,530 20,630 38,400 950 97,510

Percent 1990 marsh lost 11% 12% 19% 3% 13%

*includes acres preserved by Breaux Act Priority Lists 1-6 and Caernarvon and Davis Pond Diversions

50 CHAPTER 6

CONSEQUENCES OF LANDSCAPE DETERIORATION

Economic Setting tons of cargo are shipped annually to and from foreign or inland U.S. The economic well-being of Louisiana’s locations. Rice, sugar cane, soybeans, coastal communities and the and cattle are the most important competitiveness of the coastal industries agricultural commodities produced in the are important not only to the State but region. In fact, until the oil boom also to national growth and prosperity. changed the region and State’s To be competitive in the 21st century, the economy, this area was largely an United States will continue to depend on agrarian society where residents farmed, Louisiana’s rich coastal resources, and fished, and trapped extensively. the nation will be called on to make Aquaculture, especially the pond substantial investments to insure that aquaculture of crawfish, has become a these resources are protected and remain significant regional economic activity productive over the long term. since the 1970’s. Extensive tourism and recreational activities revolve around the Overview area’s wildlife, fisheries, and wetland- based culture. Offshore oil and natural gas production, along with all its related service Most recently, the region’s economy has industries, continues to command the rebounded from a 1980’s downturn in State’s coastal economy. The fisheries the oil and gas industry that had resulted industry, particularly shrimp, oysters, in a reduced population, as thousands of and menhaden, remains very important. people migrated elsewhere to seek work. Petrochemical processing and The main impetus for this recent manufacturing, which dominate the resurgence has been the discovery of oil industrial corridors on either side of the and gas in the deepwater fields of the Mississippi River from below New central Gulf of Mexico. This discovery, Orleans to Baton Rouge, and the along with deepwater royalty tax relief Calcasieu River in the vicinity of Lake and new and improved technology, has Charles, are also of great importance. brought about an increase in offshore Industries related to navigation, such as and shore-based activities. The sheer ship- and boat-building and repair, are volume of activity that has taken place in major activities along the principal the last three or four years—and the navigable waterways, and millions of forecast is for this situation to continue—has raised serious concerns

51 about the coastal infrastructure’s ability responding to the problem could result to handle current and additional growth. in grave economic and social consequences. For example, habitat loss The infrastructure needs, along with and major changes in the balance of fisheries issues and coastal restoration, freshwater and saltwater in these are the topics of greatest concern to ecosystems can lead to the loss of coastal leaders, according to a 1998 fisheries sensitive to this balance, study by the Economic Development significantly disrupting Louisiana’s Administration. These leaders have vitally important seafood production pointed out that recent economic growth sector. Another example is agriculture. has added pressure to a deteriorating Citrus growers in Plaquemines Parish are infrastructure network. Coastal parishes experiencing crop losses caused by and cities are having to rapidly respond saltwater intrusion, and rice growers in to many deferred maintenance problems, central Acadiana are concerned about while at the same time having to find the the continued supply of fresh water for means for undertaking the additional their crops. public works projects urgently needed to cope with new developments. Coastal Communities and Demographics Coastal leaders also contend that due to the many challenges facing commercial Coastal Louisiana’s residents represent a fisheries and the associated seafood diversity of nationalities and cultures, production sector, there is a need to including French, Spanish, Portuguese, insure the industry’s sustainability. German, Italian, English, Caribbean, Traditionally, thousands of Louisianians Croatian, African, and American Indian. have depended on shrimp, menhaden, The largest and oldest immigrant group oysters, crabs, and commercial finfish to colonize the wetlands is of French harvesting and processing. But many descent. New Orleans was founded by challenges confront this industry and all Bienville in 1718. Exiled Acadians from the interests involved from Federal and what is now Nova Scotia, Canada, began State governments to harvesters, moving into the region beginning in the wholesalers, and even consumers will 1750’s. According to Donald W. Davis have to become proactive to insure the (1994), all immigrants to Louisiana’s sector’s continued importance in the wetland landscapes developed cultural coastal economy. practices tied to the annual-use cycle that is still linked to the region’s natural Coastal leaders have expressed great resource base. Traditionally, thousands concern about the continued of coastal residents have been engaged in deterioration of coastal wetlands. Their farming, hunting, trapping, shrimping, consensus is that the problem has not crabbing, oystering, and fishing. only significant ecological implications, but also major economic ones. Many Louisiana’s coast is a flat coastal coastal communities and economic lowland characterized mainly by sectors are at risk, and undue delays in marshes, swamps, lakes, levees,

52 cheniers, bays and bayous. The area six deep-draft ports: New Orleans, also includes several metropolitan and Greater Baton Rouge, Lake Charles, mid-sized communities that serve as South Louisiana, Plaquemines Parish, population, trade, and service centers. and St. Bernard. These ports are the The 1997 population in the 20 coastal mainstays of Louisiana’s maritime parishes was approximately 2 million shipping industry, and have given the residents, according to U.S. Census region both national and international estimates, an increase of 84,000 persons prominence. In addition, the privately- since 1990. Louisiana had over 4.2 owned Louisiana Offshore Oil Port million residents in 1990 and gained offloads approximately 10-13% of the about 131,600 persons between those country’s imported crude petroleum that same years. In other words, 64% of the eventually is moved via pipelines to State’s population gain during the 7-year refineries and consumers throughout the period took place within these parishes. nation. Significant contributions to the In 1997, about 60% of this population State’s economy are also made by the resided in the four most populated fifteen smaller ports that are situated parishes: Orleans, Jefferson, and St. within the coastal zone, primarily serving Tammany in the eastern most part of the the oil and gas and fishing industries. study area, and Calcasieu in the far The Gulf Intracoastal Waterway is a western portion. critical shallow-draft transportation link that carries an annual average of 70 Physical Infrastructure million tons of freight (primarily liquid bulk items such as petroleum and Description of Infrastructure petroleum products) between the Mississippi and Texas state lines. An Physical infrastructure refers to capital alternate Gulf Intracoastal Waterway facilities and land assets—private, State, route, linking Morgan City and Port Federal, parish or municipal—that are Allen, averages 25 million tons of cargo necessary to (1) support development shipped per year. and (2) protect public health, safety, and well-being. It includes, but is not limited In addition to the 3,000 miles of to, water supply and wastewater commercially navigable waterways, disposal, transportation (ports, roads, coastal Louisiana has railroad bridges, airports, rail, navigation, transportation, Interstate, U.S. and state highways), solid waste disposal, highways, commercial and general drainage, flood protection, industrial aviation airports, and an extensive parks, electricity, oil and gas structures, network of oil and gas pipelines. and educational facilities and parks. Southern Pacific, Kansas City Southern, Amtrak, Illinois Central, and Union Louisiana ranks first in the nation in total Pacific are the main railroads serving the shipping tonnage, handling over 450 area, although several other smaller million tons of cargo each year through railway companies have emerged in the public and private installations recent years and serve some of the more located within the State’s jurisdiction of remote parts of the region. Interstate

53 Highways 10 and 12, U.S. Highways 90 development of port facilities and the and 190, and La. Highway 82 are the replacement of several strategic main east-west routes. North-south navigation structures which have service consists of Interstates 49, 55, and become obsolete. The navigation locks 59 along with U.S. Highways 51, 61, and in the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway 165, and La. Highway 1. Several state system, including the Inner Harbor highways such as Highways 1, 23, 27, Navigation Canal in the New Orleans 39, and 82 serve as evacuation routes area, are outdated and need to be from the coastal zone. Some 14,000 replaced. Ports face severe access miles of onshore and 2,000 miles of problems on both the water and land offshore pipelines are located in the sides, and facilities are inadequate to region. meet the growing demands of international commerce and offshore Concerns About Infrastructure services. Additional coastal deterioration will only exacerbate the problem. The most frequently identified public infrastructure concerns of coastal The environmental infrastructure is also Louisiana involve roadways, navigation facing severe deterioration because of and ports, sanitation and water supplies, substantial under-funding, particularly drainage and flood control, and coastal for solid waste management, water erosion prevention structures. supplies, and wastewater systems. Not only is compliance with State and Roads, highways, and bridges, many of Federal mandates a concern, but if water which are vital evacuation routes, are quality is not maintained, and in some deteriorating and becoming more localized instances restored, this congested. Many coastal highways and situation will result in negative effects on roads are in poor or mediocre condition. certain sectors of the economy. Oyster Highway 82, for example, in Cameron production and harvesting, tourism, and Parish is being eroded by gulf waves. outdoor recreation are only a few of the Between $20 million and $80 million are sectors that rely on the availability of needed to prevent its structural failure in clean, safe water supplies. the next 5 years. Many bridges, particularly those referred to as off- Local drainage and flood control system, are structurally deficient or infrastructure are a growing concern for functionally obsolete. In addition, state- local and parish governments. As run ferries that have served many protective marshes continue to communities in lieu of bridges are being disappear, long term maintenance costs turned over to local governments, who will be prohibitive. lack the resources to properly operate and maintain the systems. In an earlier study for La. Department of Natural Resources’ Coastal Restoration Navigation and port interests are Division, the Louisiana Sea Grant concerned about the continued College Program at Louisiana State

54 University inventoried the major continuous water level recorders that components of the State’s coastal were in place prior to Hurricane Andrew infrastructure and estimated its value to making landfall in St. Mary Parish at exceed $48 billion (Louisiana Sea Grant Point Chevreuil on August 26, 1992. College Program 1998). This figure is Hurricane Andrew was a Category 3 considered conservative because (1) all storm on the Saffir-Simpson scale. public infrastructure components were Andrew’s winds produced a positive not included in the inventory—for storm tide in areas east of landfall and a example, levees, public utilities, etc. were negative storm tide west of landfall. The excluded, and (2) the per unit cost highest recorded water elevation during estimates that were used to arrive at the Andrew was 9.3 ft at Cocodrie (Lovelace total amount were primarily “rules-of 1994). thumb” figures obtained from experts in the field, and extrapolated to apply Hurricane Andrew gave direct evidence throughout the Coast 2050 study region. that the physiography of marshes where a storm makes landfall affects the degree Storm Surge Protection to which the storm surge is dampened. The surge amplitude in the Terrebonne When a hurricane makes landfall in marsh system decreased from 9.3 ft Louisiana, a large percentage of the above sea level in Cocodrie to 3.3 ft infrastructure damage is caused by (Swenson 1994) in the Houma flooding associated with the storm surge Navigation Canal approximately 23 and heavy rains. Wind related damage is miles due north. This equates to a also significant, and depending on the reduction in surge amplitude of strength of the storm and the location of approximately 3.1 inches per linear mile landfall, wind damage costs may be of marsh and open water between greater than the cost of flood damage. Houma and Cocodrie. Similarly, the Hurricane damages to coastal magnitude of the storm’s surge was communities can result in increased reduced from 4.9 ft at Oyster Bayou to costs of living and doing business in 0.5 ft at Kent Bayou located 19 miles due flood prone areas with a concomitant north. This equates to a reduction in regional economic decline. Historically, surge amplitude of approximately 2.8 this has been followed by gradual inches per linear mile of fairly solid emigration from coastal communities marsh between these sites. (Smith et al. 1998). It is important to bear in mind that these It is commonly acknowledged that are data points from only one storm. barrier islands and coastal wetlands The role of coastal marshes in reduce the magnitude of hurricane storm ameliorating hurricane storm surges surges and related flooding; however, depends on a variety of factors including there are scant data as to the degree of the physical characteristics of the storm, reduction. The best data available coastal geomorphic setting and the track relating to this issue come from of a storm when it makes landfall.

55 Quantitative computer simulation Wild fur pelts continue to be harvested, modeling of the effect of various barrier and trappers annually receive island configurations on hurricane storm approximately $1.3 million for the surges (Suhayda 1997) has shown that product, according to a report to the Fur changing coastal inlet geometry at the and Alligator Advisory Council barrier shoreline can reduce storm surges (Louisiana Department of Wildlife and in inland locations such as Cocodrie by Fisheries 1997). The same source over 3 ft. Clearly, the effect of storms on reports that annually the harvest of wild the human population and infrastructure alligators results in skins and meat worth in the coastal zone can be ameliorated by over $9.3 million, and alligator farming the maintenance of extensive coastal yields approximately $11.5 million per marshes and barrier islands. year.

Consumptive Uses of Wetlands Coastal Louisiana also provides an excellent setting for outdoor activity. Louisiana’s coastal wetlands are Use of outdoor recreation resources has essential for numerous species of fish grown considerably in recent years, and and wildlife, food production, habitat for there are several major initiatives to fish and wildlife reproduction and attract more visitors to the region. The nursery activities, and overall support of preliminary “1996 National Survey of the food chain. National Marine Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife Fisheries Service statistics for the last 20 Associated Recreation” (U.S. years indicate that coastal Louisiana Department of the Interior, Fish and contributes about 20% of the nation’s Wildlife Service 1997) estimated that 1.2 total commercial fisheries harvest. million Louisianians enjoy the outdoors, According to the Louisiana Cooperative and that between 1989 and 1995, the Extension Service, in 1995 alone the annualized growth rate in saltwater gross commercial value of coastal recreational fishing licenses was 6% fisheries and wildlife production (Louisiana Department of Wildlife and exceeded $300 million. Value-added Fisheries 1996). Combination freshwater activities meant another $900 million to and saltwater recreational fishing licenses the State’s economy. In 1996, the total for residents and nonresidents for fiscal economic effect of marine commercial year 1997 totaled about 540,000. Charter fisheries was $2.2 billion, and $944 fishing trips have also been increasing million for marine recreational fisheries and the latest figures indicate that (Southwick Associates 1997). approximately 60,000 nearshore and Commercial fisheries resources also inland saltwater charter fishing trips were support a wide range of related seafood taken in 1995. processors and similar operations, and help maintain between 50,000 and The latest available figures from the 70,000 jobs statewide in the processing, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and wholesaling, transporting, retailing, and Fisheries indicate that Louisiana had services sectors. 275,000 registered boats in 1994. Over

56 49,000 (18%) were registered in the six adjusted payroll figures increased by Coast 2050 parishes that are contiguous 26%. This included over 800,000 visitors to Lake Pontchartrain: Orleans, that engaged in “wildlife watching” or Jefferson, St. Tammany, St. John the other nonconsumptive uses such as Baptist, St. Charles, and Tangipahoa. observing, photographing, and visiting public parks and other natural areas. Louisiana’s coast is at the end of the Mississippi and Central flyways, and According to the 1993-98 Statewide nearly 70% of the waterfowl migrating Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation along these routes overwinter at sites in Plan (Louisiana Department of Culture, coastal Louisiana. If extensive healthy Recreation and Tourism 1993), 7 of the marsh habitats are not available, State’s 28 state parks and 2 of 12 waterfowl would return to their nesting commemorative areas are located in the areas in a weakened condition, resulting region. Some 800,000 visitors made use in lower nesting success and decreased of these facilities in 1994. Also, the fall flights. Over 90,000 Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries residents and 14,000 non-residents and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service purchased migratory bird hunting provide for recreational uses at wildlife licenses in 1996. The U.S. Fish and management areas and refuges. Wildlife Service estimates over 860,000 migratory bird hunting days for 1996. Major Case Studies and Smaller Vignettes Nonconsumptive Uses of Wetlands Louisiana contains numerous coastal The coastal parishes, more than ever communities at the end of natural levee before, are deriving greater economic ridges which are surrounded by marshes benefits from tourism development. and estuaries. Examples include: Attractions, employment and income Yscloskey, Venice, Port Fourchon, Isle attributed to this sector have grown, tax de St. John Charles, Cocodrie, Theriot, revenues have increased, and virtually and Intracoastal City. People have lived every coastal parish is fully organized for in these small communities for a number and has embarked on this type of of generations and have traditionally development. Increased tourism is relied on the region’s plentiful natural apparent from the U.S. Travel Data resource base. Five communities (Fig. 6- Center statistics that are compiled 1) were chosen to illustrate how future annually, by parish, for travel and marsh loss is expected to affect some of tourism-related employment, the communities, particularly the public expenditures, and payroll. Between infrastructure. The discussion of the 1990 and 1995, the number of persons South Lafourche Corridor is detailed employed by this industry grew by over because Port Fourchon is Louisiana’s 8%; expenditures, when adjusted for inflation, climbed by over 21%; and the

57 58

Lake Pontchartrain

Yscloskey Holly Beach

Golden Meadow Cocodrie Leeville Port Fourchon

Figure 6-1. Communities discussed in case studies and vignettes (Larger stars indicate communities highlighted in case studies and vignettes, smaller stars are other communities mentioned). primary port directly located on the Gulf staging area for offshore services, of Mexico. New Orleans is discussed waterborne commerce activities, and as a because it represents an area with high center for sport and commercial fishing. population levels. Three other communities (Yscloskey, Cocodrie, and Population Holly Beach/Constance Beach) are discussed as smaller case studies or The population of Lafourche Parish, as vignettes. They were chosen because estimated in 1995, was 87,625 persons. they typify the problems facing many of This translates to a parish-wide Louisiana’s smaller coastal communities. population density of approximately 81 More details on the public infrastructure persons per square mile. There are values for each of these communities can higher population concentrations in the be found in Appendices C-F. Coastal Lafourche corridor, where there are Louisiana communities share a basic approximately 364 residents per square connection to their surrounding mile (U.S. Census 1990, 1998). In effect, environments—their cultures and 85% of the parish’s population lives on economies are part land based and part 18% of the land, an indication of the water based, and most have become clustered linear settlement pattern of similarly threatened by the conversion of natural levee ridges. land to water. The human settlement of the region is a history of opportunities Economy and constraints. It is very likely that the future loss of marsh will tip the balance Renewable and nonrenewable resource toward the constraints in all of these extraction and use characterize the communities. regional economy. The renewable resources are largely the products of the Community at risk: surrounding estuaries and wetlands: South Lafourche Corridor commercial fishing, hunting and trapping. Most nonrenewable extraction The South Lafourche development (oil and gas) takes place offshore and in corridor is located in the central the estuaries and is highly dependent on Louisiana coast region, in Lafourche and the area’s infrastructure. Jefferson Parishes (Fig. 6-1). It provides access through the coastal lowlands to The total value of the Lafourche the productive estuarine zones and the estuarine dependent industries in 1994 Gulf of Mexico. The corridor is in a was almost half a billion dollars. The strategic position, running along the 1994 value of the renewable resources Bayou Lafourche natural levee ridge produced in Lafourche Parish was $70 through the Barataria and Terrebonne million. Oil and gas extraction had a estuaries. Over the years, it has been one value of $388 million. This represents of the country’s most productive oil and 81% of the parish’s resource use gas regions. The corridor’s strategic economy (McKenzie et al. 1995; position is enhanced by its role as a Industrial Economics 1996).

59 Population Settlement Balance New Opportunities

The opportunity/constraint balance in In the 1930’s, oil was discovered along South Lafourche has fluctuated the Lafourche corridor. The once- throughout its settlement history. In the abandoned Leeville community was 19th century, the opportunities were resettled in 1931 and had 98 producing primarily fishing and agriculture. The wells by 1937 (Woolfolk 1980). The main constraint was the proximity to the economic opportunities of oil drew dangerous forces of the gulf. In the late people back down the corridor to the 1800’s, a significant south Lafourche places from where fisherfolk had only fishing community called Caminadaville recently retreated. The tremendous existed near the gulf on Cheniere economic opportunity of oil extraction Caminada, west of Grand Isle. The made addressing the environmental chenier had 1,470 inhabitants in 1893 constraints of the South Lafourche when a hurricane destroyed the corridor feasible. community. The settlement was abandoned and most of the surviving Changing Opportunities inhabitants moved farther inland to the area that would eventually become the Oil and gas activity within the corridor, towns of Leeville and Missville (Rogers the surrounding estuaries, and the State’s 1985; McKenzie et al. 1995). offshore waters has been in a period of substantial decline. Meanwhile, the Facing another hurricane in 1909, Federal offshore industry is presently Leeville and Missville residents took to projecting a 40-year production cycle, their oyster luggers and sought more with 50% to 100% growth by the year protected land. Though the towns were 2000 (Cranswick and Regg 1997; Guo et destroyed, the majority of residents al. 1998). With the industry moving rebuilt. Unfortunately, a stronger storm offshore, the locations of service and hit the region in 1915, inundating support industries in Louisiana are Leeville and Missville with 20 feet of becoming increasingly important. The water. Faced again with the destruction land and the gulf are linked by two of the communities and substantial loss important complexes in the of life, the communities were abandoned corridor—Port Fourchon and the and many of the survivors relocated still Louisiana Offshore Oil Port. farther north along the bayou to the relative protection of Golden Meadow. Port Fourchon is one of Louisiana’s port The Golden Meadow ridge was the final complexes closest to the Gulf of Mexico. stop on their retreat from the gulf Over $750 million of public and private (Rogers 1985). investments have been made in this complex that primarily supports offshore oil and gas activities in the Gulf of Mexico. Over 100 businesses provide support for such services. Port

60 development has barely kept up with the According to preliminary findings of an demand for waterfront property. There Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) impacts is a waiting list of tenants, and the third study (Hughes 1998), OCS development and final phase of the “E-slip” may cause substantial growth in the south development that has served as the Lafourche corridor. Nearly 60% of the centerpiece for the port’s growth is being gulf’s future offshore drilling in the next fast-tracked and is scheduled to be 30 years can be served from Port completed in the next couple of years. Fourchon. An 8-year conservative growth projection of almost 5,000 new Louisiana Highway 1 is Port Fourchon’s jobs, with over $500 million in wages, is only land-based access. It is estimated expected as a result of OCS expansion. that on a monthly basis, 30,000 trucks While the recent growth of the industry and over 200,000 passenger vehicles has absorbed the existing regional labor travel on this highway below Galliano. pool, future growth may be hampered Traffic flow figures are predicted to because the presently taxed infrastructure continue to increase at a rate of may limit growth (Hughes 1998). OCS somewhere between 3% and 6% operations use Port Fourchon mainly annually in the next decade with the because it is the closest port to their expansion of deepwater oil and gas activities (Falgout 1998). As OCS activities. A major impediment, extraction pushes farther into the gulf, however, is the Leeville Bridge, which even Louisiana’s central location already is in a deteriorated condition. In becomes less strategic. fact, a recent report concludes that 21% of Highway 1 is in poor condition, and 98% is in need of some kind of improvement (Guo et al. 1998).

Located 21 miles south of Port Fourchon, the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port is the nation’s only deepwater port, handling between 10% and 13% of the If the South Lafourche corridor continues nation’s imported oil supply. The to deteriorate, business investments will offshore facility is connected by a 42- also deteriorate (White 1998). It has been inch pipeline to the Clovelly Dome estimated that if the deepwater oil support Storage Terminal, an underground salt industry is not fully established at Port cavern in the south Lafourche corridor. Fourchon by 2000, then oil companies The storage terminal is connected by five will expand elsewhere, (Galveston or pipelines to 30% of the national refining Mobile) and by 2004 will steadily pull out capacity. Recently connected to the of the port altogether (White 1998). The Shell MARS production platform, the economic losses to the region would be Louisiana Offshore Oil Port will handle high, potentially worse than the oil domestic production as well as foreign downturn of the 1980’s. Louisiana’s imports. network of 3,819 vendors that receive

61 $2.4 billion worth of annual business themselves in the water, a possible loss of could lose their link to OCS activities $12.3 million of infrastructure. with an accompanying devastating effect Approximately 8.3 miles of the ring levee on their businesses. Undoubtably, some in the vicinity of Golden Meadow would portion of the $3 billion annual revenue be sporadically exposed to open water that Gulf of Mexico offshore oil and gas and possibly breached, at a replacement operations generate in Louisiana cost of $4.2 million. The value of the lost (Applied Technology Research Corp. wetlands, based on an estimated use 1998) would be lost. value of $5,000 per acre (Industrial Economics 1996), would amount to $260 Land Loss—The New Constraint million in losses to recreation and ecosystem services to the region. The threat of coastal land loss may impede the continued growth and/or 2. Catastrophic Event Approach— sustainability of the south Lafourche Impact of Storms on People and corridor. The social and economic Infrastructure. It is highly likely that a threats to the Lafourche corridor by 2050 storm will strike the region and cause from unabated land loss can be extensive damage to the weakened evaluated from two distinct perspectives. system. This could happen in the very near term, though each year that land loss 1. Theoretical Approach—Impact of continues unabated and infrastructure Land Loss on Infrastructure. Without remains unprotected, the potential for positive human intervention, land loss storm damage increases. The Louisiana caused by erosion, subsidence, and other Department of Public Safety Services factors will continue for the next 50 (1985) identified 12 comprehensive storm years, much as it has for the last century. scenarios and mapped 62 distinct storm It is projected that by 2050, more than 49 surge patterns. The region is square miles of marsh will be lost just to exceptionally vulnerable to storm surge the east of the corridor; over 50% of the impacts. In the event of a category 3, 4, adjacent marsh will be open water. or 5 storm, approximately 35,000 people Another 33 square miles of marsh just to will need to evacuate from the area south the west will disappear, and nearly 70% of the Leeville bridge on the only of these existing marshes will be gone. evacuation route, Louisiana Highway 1 Highway 1 will be breached in numerous (Curole 1998). In addition to the possible places, rendering it impassable. The loss of life and property, accelerated theoretical replacement cost, if the same erosion, and cleanup costs typical of type of road could be laid in the same hurricane force storms, a breach in the place, would be approximately $20 highway or damage to the Leeville bridge million. Approximately 8.5 miles of would paralyze the largest portion of the secondary roads would be impacted as corridor’s economy until repairs could be well, at a loss of over $24 million. The made. 119 currently active oil and gas wells, now surrounded by land, could find

62 South Lafourche Corridor Conclusion The Threat

Human settlement has been drawn to the The Mississippi River flows through the South Lafourche corridor for the past center of the metropolitan area. The 1,000 to 2,000 years because of the northern boundary is Lake Pontchartrain estuary, the marshes, the Gulf of Mexico and coastal wetlands surround the other and the natural levee ridges. Land loss is margins. No other major city in the not just a constraint to realizing the country is surrounded by so many region’s resource opportunities; it flood-prone habitats. New Orleans is threatens the very existence of the virtually an island already; as wetland loss opportunities. The marshes and continues, the amount of water around transportation access to the gulf are the city will increase. In addition, at least threatened, and the dangers of the gulf 45% of the metropolitan core is at or have only become more dangerous to below sea level. In New Orleans, the corridor. The potential impact of elevations vary from 10 feet below sea land loss in the corridor is the eventual level in developed areas to 15 feet above abandonment of the corridor as a viable sea level along the natural ridges of the community. Like Caminadaville in 1893, Mississippi. Leeville (and Missville) in 1909 and 1915, and other similar settlements along Today, New Orleans is protected from the gulf that have faced overbearing flooding rainwater, river water and constraints, the choice is either to seawater by 520 miles of levees and abandon the corridor or recognize the floodwalls, 270 floodgates, and 92 dangers and defend against them. pumping stations connecting thousands Reversing the land loss is the first step in of miles of drainage canals and pipes. that defense. The wetland buffer that now partially protects New Orleans from storm surges Community at risk: New Orleans is disappearing. By 2050, the city will be closer to and more exposed to the Gulf of All communities in Louisiana south of Mexico. I-10 are threatened by coastal erosion, but New Orleans’ potential losses are Hurricanes pose the worst threats. especially high. New Orleans lies at the center of a nearly 2,600 square mile C In 1965 the eye of Hurricane Betsy (a metropolitan area containing 1.2 million Category 3 storm) passed about 50 people and five parishes (Fig. 6-1). miles west of New Orleans and the Taxable real estate and property in the tidal surge into St. Bernard and region are assessed at more than $5 Orleans Parishes caused $2 billion in billion, and fair market value of these damages and 81 deaths. assets exceeds $40 billion. C In 1985 Hurricane Juan (a Category 1 storm) caused higher tides than Betsy in some areas because of its slow

63 movement. The West Bank of such a storm in 1991 would theoretically Jefferson Parish sustained $52 have been $629 million, by 2050 this million in damage. could increase to $1.8 billion.

The current hurricane protection system, Community at risk: Yscloskey (St. to be completed in 2002, protects the city Bernard Parish) from a storm surge associated with a fast moving Category 3 hurricane. But what The small fishing village of Yscloskey lies if the storm is more intense (Hurricane in St. Bernard Parish about 25 miles east Camille in 1969 was a Category 5) or the of New Orleans (Fig. 6-1). The village is storm moves slowly, allowing more time at the intersection of Bayous La Loutre for the storm surge to build? Storm and Yscloskey and is entirely surrounded surge models show that a hurricane by marshes and estuaries. The area could produce an 18-foot storm surge in analyzed for this vignette includes all Lake Pontchartrain, which could be structures along Louisiana Highway 46 topped with 10 foot waves. None of the from its junction with Louisiana Highway current or planned protection measures 300 to the end of Highway 46 at the would be effective under those Mississippi River Gulf Outlet. These circumstances. highways link the fishing communities of St. Bernard Parish with the New Orleans The Possible Consequences Metropolitan Area.

Unfortunately, storm surge heights will Approximately 325 permanent residents only increase as subsidence and sea-level live in Yscloskey (Metrovision 1998). In rise continue and more wetlands are lost. addition, there are approximately 50 A portion of the West Bank of Orleans commercial establishments in the general and Jefferson Parishes, bounded by the vicinity. Fishing is the most important Mississippi River and Harvey Canal, is a aspect of the local economy. A trip to the 22,500 acre urban area with substandard area reveals oyster luggers offloading hurricane protection and 34,362 sacks of oysters at the wholesale houses, structures valued at more than $3 billion. and shrimp boats docked beneath moss The projected future for this area covered oaks along the scenic bayous. combines the effect of a 100-year return Recreational fishing is also important, and period hurricane on a landscape several marinas cater to anglers. When experiencing continued wetland loss. the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet was Some structures in this area, which in built, the residents of Old Shell Beach had 1991 would flood with a 100-year event, to be relocated and many moved west to by 2050 would flood with only a 50-year Yscloskey. event. The cost of a 100-year hurricane for these structures, their contents, and The entire length of Highway 46 from vehicles in the area could increase by Verret east lies outside the hurricane 280% in this area of the West Bank by protection levees. Hurricane Betsy 2050. The cost of flood damage from heavily damaged the corridor in 1965, and

64 in 1969 Hurricane Camille destroyed between $116,000 and $174,000. The many homes and boats. water tower is valued at $261,000, and its supply lines have a replacement cost of The community’s public infrastructure $80,000. If the entire community includes a fire station and a community infrastructure had to be replaced because hall. The transportation infrastructure of a combination of marsh loss and storm includes 1.75 miles of paved road on damage, it could cost as much as $13 Highways 46 and 624, one mile of million. Marsh loss will also affect asphalt road, and a lift bridge across people’s livelihoods. As significant areas Bayou La Loutre, built in 1957. A power of marsh are lost, there will be fewer substation, transmission lines, oysters, shrimp, spotted seatrout, and red distribution lines, and transformers drum. supply electricity. The water supply system consists of a water tower with Community at risk: Cocodrie corresponding supply lines. (Terrebonne Parish)

Land loss in the vicinity of Yscloskey is Cocodrie is a village located in the moderate. The marshes to the south are southern marshes of Terrebonne Parish benefitting from the Caernarvon between the Houma Navigation Canal Freshwater Diversion Project, but will and Bayou Petit Caillou (Fig. 6-1). The still lose nearly 10 square miles by 2050. study area includes the lower 8.7 miles of Thirteen percent of the existing marshes Highway 56 ending at Point Cocodrie. will be open water. To the east and Approximately 600 people live in the area north more than 34 square miles of (Metrovision 1998). There are 200 marsh will be lost by 2050, causing residential structures and approximately nearly 16% of today’s marshes to be 20 commercial buildings located in the converted to open water. This loss of area. Cocodrie is entirely surrounded by land will mean that the infrastructure at marsh, and there is no hurricane Yscloskey is at even greater risk from protection for the area. storms and high waters. Cocodrie is an ideal location for The replacement cost of the bridge over recreational fishing. Recreational anglers, Bayou La Loutre is estimated at between along with commercial fishing guides, $4 million and $5 million, the paved operate out of local marinas. Several highway at $5.25 million, and the asphalt commercial fishing operations are also road at $1 million. The total replacement present. Cocodrie is the home of cost of roads, highways, and bridges in Louisiana Universities Marine the Yscloskey area is $10.75 million. Consortium (LUMCON), home of the Electric lines and transformers would W.J. DeFelice Marine Center. The marine cost approximately $98,000 to replace. center is a 75,000 square foot complex of The power substation has a replacement research, instructional, housing and cost of $1.3 million. The replacement of support facilities. It includes 26,000 natural gas lines in Yscloskey would cost square feet of laboratory, classroom,

65 office, and library space. Dormitory The replacement cost of LUMCON rooms and apartments provide housing would be approximately $24 million. The for up to 80 people. The only other fire station is valued at $150,000. If the public building in Cocodrie is a fire entire infrastructure had to be replaced station at the northern extreme of the due to a combination of marsh loss and study area. There are 8.7 miles of storm damage, it could cost up to $53 pavement on Highway 56, five miles of million. gravel road, and a bridge just south of the fire station. The water supply system Community at risk: includes a water tower, a metering Holly Beach/Constance Beach station, and supply lines. There are also (Cameron Parish) natural gas lines serving the area. Cocodrie’s public infrastructure is The Holly Beach/Constance Beach estimated to be worth over $53 million. corridor is located in Cameron Parish (Fig. 6-1). It includes the area from the Land loss in the vicinity of Cocodrie is intersection of Louisiana Highways 27 projected to be very severe. By 2050 and 82 westward for 10 miles along over 55% of the marsh north of Cocodrie Highway 82 toward the town of will be gone. Even more seriously, over Johnson’s Bayou. The area contains 65% of the marsh to the east and 35% of some of the few sand beaches along the marsh to the west and south will Louisiana’s Gulf of Mexico Coast. The have turned to open water. The barrier small communities of Holly Beach, islands to the south will be tiny remnants Constance Beach, Martin Beach, Peveto of what they are today. Even if Cocodrie Beach, and Little Florida are clustered were to still exist by 2050, it would be an along the highway. Approximately 800 island community surrounded by water. permanent residents live in the area. The sport and commercial fisheries will Proximity to Lake Charles and other be seriously reduced. communities in southwest Louisiana make this an ideal spot for a weekend Loss of marsh will significantly impact vacation. There are approximately 400 the public infrastructure. Roads, residential structures in the area and highways, and bridges will have to be nearly 100 commercial establishments. replaced and raised at an approximate Many of the structures are small camps cost of $27 million. The public utilities and motels that serve the area’s will be at much greater risk than they are recreational and tourism interests. today from hurricanes or even winter Hunting, fishing, birding, and beach storms. The replacement cost of recreational activities are the major tourist electrical utility infrastructure is attractions. estimated at almost $800,000. The cost estimate for replacing the water supply The community infrastructure includes a system is approximately $1 million. fire station and an ambulance building on Natural gas lines would have to be Highway 27. There are approximately 10 replaced at a cost of nearly $580,000. miles of highway and seven miles of

66 bituminous road in the area. Highway La. Highway 82 is one of the two roads 82 is part of the Creole Nature Trail. out of this area. By 2050, approximately Another highway of importance to the 20% of the marshes north of this highway beaches lies outside the study area. will become open water. If these marshes Louisiana Highway 27 runs north from are not protected, the evacuation route the gulf through the Sabine National will be more at risk. Shoreline erosion on Wildlife Refuge to high ground near the gulf side is already a problem, but as Lake Charles. Highways 27 and 82 are the interior marshes are lost, the ridge on the only hurricane evacuation routes which the road is built may be exposed to from the beaches and the communities attack from the northern side as well along the coast. There are no hurricane (albeit of a lesser magnitude). If protection levees in the area. There is a measures are not taken to protect the power substation on Highway 82 and a shoreline and to maintain the interior transmission line runs the length of the marshes, community infrastructure worth highway. A water tower and 17 miles of $300,000 will be at risk. More supply lines bring water to the area. importantly, communities will need to relocate because their hurricane In this area, coastal erosion has led to evacuation route, as well as their means shoreline retreat such that La. Highway of conducting everyday business, will be 82 is now at the Gulf of Mexico lost. The replacement cost of the roads shoreline. The highway has been would be $37 million. The utility severely damaged during several winter infrastructure replacement cost would be and tropical storms and has been moved $2.1 million. landward several times. It is now built on the last natural ridge, or chenier, Summary of Coastal before the marsh. Between 1991 and Communities at Risk 1994 the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources constructed a series The Fourchon corridor and the three of 85 breakwaters along 8 miles of the isolated communities discussed in the coastline. The combined cost of these vignettes all share a reliance on the breakwaters and other road-protection wetlands surrounding them. They measures has been over $12 million in depend heavily on the fish and wildlife the last 10 years. The breakwaters that, in turn, are dependent on the provide some protection to the highway, vanishing marshes. They rely on but more work is needed to prevent loss ecotourism that is based on the natural of the highway. It cannot be relocated resources of the coast. Their livelihood farther inland because of the lack of depends on the oil and gas resources in suitable substrate in the marsh plain. If the wetlands or offshore. People live in the highway can no longer be maintained these communities to be near the and the chenier is breached, there will be bountiful resources of the coast. New interior marsh loss. Orleans sits astride the Mississippi River, surrounded by lakes and wetlands, and depends on shipping, tourism, and

67 manufacturing. Its inhabitants recreate in the wetlands. The severe loss of the wetlands that is projected to occur in the future puts all these communities at risk.

In the past, people made decisions that are destroying the coastal resources: the wetlands, the fisheries and the wildlife. The opportunity now exists to slow the Historic Trends in Fisheries Production loss of wetlands, which will preserve the natural system while at the same time Methodology help these communities to continue to exist. It is a wiser decision to save the To assess the recent trends and future wetlands than to move communities or projections of fishery populations within replace the infrastructure. By preserving the Coast 2050 study area, four broad the wetlands, we would help preserve a species assemblages were established way of life and retain the economic based on salinity preferences. These viability of these coastal communities. assemblages were marine, estuarine dependent, estuarine resident, and Fisheries freshwater. Within each of the four assemblages, “guilds” of fishery Loss of coastal wetlands in Louisiana organisms were established. As used in has severe implications for the long-term this document, “guilds” are groupings of sustainability of fisheries resources. The ecologically similar species identified by a remarkable level of productivity of the single, representative species and, State’s marine systems is tied to both the hereafter, the terms “guild” and “species” quantity and quality of estuarine are used interchangeably. Fishery guilds fisheries habitat. Recent high production common to coastal Louisiana, within has been linked to the amount of land- each salinity-preference assemblage are: water interface, which is highest in marshes undergoing the early stages of C Spanish mackerel guild—marine, subsidence and disintegration. A drastic downturn in the harvest of the majority C Red drum, black drum, spotted of the most valued species of fish and seatrout, gulf menhaden, southern shellfish is expected as open water flounder, white shrimp, brown replaces marsh in most areas. Coastal shrimp, and blue crab guilds— fisheries resource managers are looking estuarine dependent, toward coastal restoration for protection of existing wetlands and the creation of C American oyster guild—estuarine new marshes to replace some portion of resident, and those which have been lost. C Largemouth bass and channel catfish guilds—freshwater.

68 In a broad sense, each of the 12 guilds is Region 1 Trends uniquely identified by the combination of the representative species’ habitat Within Region 1 (Appendix C), the preference, salinity preference, primary freshwater assemblage, represented by habitat function, seasonal occurrence in largemouth bass and channel catfish the estuary, and spawning or migratory guilds, occurs in the low salinity seasons (Table 6-1). Habitat and life (generally less than 2 parts per thousand) history information is based on available to freshwater areas of the basin. In scientific literature specific to the general, freshwater fishery populations northwestern Gulf of Mexico, but it is have been steady over the past 10-20 somewhat generalized to accommodate years. Similarly, the Spanish mackerel the establishment of guilds. guild, representing the marine fishery assemblage and found only in higher Once the species representing each salinity waters on the perimeter of the fishery guild was identified, population basin, has exhibited stable population changes of each species were assessed numbers. and displayed by using a matrix for each of the four coastal regions (see Appendix The estuarine dependent species B for methodology, Appendices C-F for assemblage is found throughout Lake Regions 1-4, respectively). The matrices Pontchartrain and in the brackish to saline display mapping units and guilds and, zones of the Lake Borgne and Chandeleur within the mapping units, provide Sound areas. With the exception of the information on the population stability red drum guild, whose populations have (recent change trends) and population increased in the eastern units of the projections for each species group. The region, recent population levels have been discussion of fishery population relatively steady for all guilds throughout projections follows this section. Most of the units in which they occur. The the recent trend information was resident species assemblage, represented provided by biologists of the Louisiana by the American oyster, has exhibited Department of Wildlife and Fisheries steady to declining populations. (LDWF). The assessments were based on LDWF fishery-independent sampling Not included within the matrix is the gulf data and personal observation of area sturgeon, which is federally listed as a fishery biologists, and generally span a threatened or endangered species. period of 10 to 20 years. Staff members Population levels in coastal Louisiana are of LDWF believe that, because of unknown; however, recent records selectivity of sample gear, the trend indicate that this anadromous species information is most reflective of recent occurs in this region. changes in the subadult portion of each guild. Historic trend information Region 2 Trends represented in each coastal region matrix is summarized below. Region 2 (Appendix D) exhibits mixed population trends among mapping units

69 and species guilds. The freshwater where populations have generally assemblage occurs in the upper and mid- decreased. basin zones, the Mississippi River delta and in the vicinity of freshwater Where the marine guild representative diversions. Largemouth bass exhibited occurs, in the gulf fringe of the basin, generally steady population levels, as did populations have tended to increase in channel catfish, except in several of the Region 3. mid-basin mapping units where populations increased in response to The estuarine resident, American oyster, freshwater input. shows both increasing and decreasing trends except in the western units where The marine assemblage guild (Spanish populations are reported to be stable. mackerel) showed steady population Upward and downward trends of the trends in the Mississippi River delta oyster appear to be related to recent units. Within the lower estuary and habitat and salinity shifts, occurring barrier island units, populations showed between the barrier islands and the patterns of increase. intermediate/brackish marsh zones of the Terrebonne estuary. Estuarine resident and dependent species do not occur in the uppermost units of Estuarine dependent species also have an Region 2. No guild showed a consistent erratic pattern of change from steady pattern throughout all mapping units. In population levels. An overall pattern of general, species within these guilds have population decreases is noted for the shown decreasing numbers in units barrier islands, Marsh Island, and the nearest the Gulf of Mexico, increasing Terrebonne, Penchant, and Pelto marshes, levels in the vicinity of freshwater while generalized increases are reported in diversions, and steady populations in the area of the Houma Navigation other mid-basin and Mississippi River Channel and for the guild represented by delta mapping units. red and black drum and blue crab. From the Atchafalaya subdelta west, generally Region 3 Trends steady population trends were noted.

Region 3 (Appendix E) includes multiple Region 4 Trends estuarine basins, extending from the Terrebonne/Timbalier Bay complex to Region 4 (Appendix F) contains two the Vermilion Bay estuary. Similar to estuarine basins: Mermentau and Region 2, fish and shellfish within these Calcasieu-Sabine. The two guilds basins exhibit mixed historic trends representing the freshwater assemblage among mapping units and species guilds. exhibit steady population levels in nearly The two guilds within the freshwater all units providing suitable fresh to low assemblage show stable population salinity habitat in the basins. Exceptions trends, except in the central basin area occur in several units in the vicinity of

70 Black Lake and Sabine Pool, where (e.g., dredging and filling), and blockages population increases have occurred. of migratory pathways also could negatively impact fishery production. Spanish mackerel from the marine Because of the potential for great assemblage had limited occurrence inaccuracy in predicting land loss and within these basins. Present in the lower fishery population changes 50 years into portions of Calcasieu Lake and near the the future, especially when considered at gulf shoreline of the Rockefeller Refuge a mapping unit scale, discussion of future area, populations have been steady. changes is presented as a coastwide Among the species representing the assessment with reference to specific estuarine dependent assemblage, blue units to exemplify those changes. crab populations have been steady. Projected trends in production are White and brown shrimp have shown presented for each guild and for each steady to declining patterns, with a mapping unit in the Appendices C-F. greater number of units showing declines, especially in the Calcasieu- Marine Assemblage Sabine basin. Geographically, estuarine dependent species have tended to Within the marine assemblage and decline in the Grand Lake, Mud Lake, dependent on individual species habitat Southeast Sabine, Brown’s Lake, West requirements, habitats utilized by species Black Lake, and Cameron-Creole of this assemblage are expected to mapping units, which are areas expand as barrier islands submerge, land influenced by weirs and other types of and land platforms subside, saline marsh water control structures. Other units, deteriorates and retreats, tidal prisms some of which are also subject to water increase, and higher salinity waters level control, often reflected steady to intrude farther inland. This habitat shift increasing population patterns. would increase the area of near shore habitat available for the marine Projected Trends in assemblage. Accordingly, the future Fisheries Production projections do not reflect adverse production impacts typically associated The projection of possible future with land loss, and in a number of cases changes in fishery production for coastal increases are forecast. As shallow marine Louisiana is based solely on landscape habitat expands, however, it is likely that change model predictions previously the forage base, composed partly of discussed in Chapter 5. The key estuarine-dependent species, would parameters in making those projections diminish. It is possible that, even though were percent and pattern of wetland loss habitat conditions would remain suitable, in each mapping unit. It should be a reduction in populations of estuarine- recognized that numerous other factors dependent forage species would cause which could not be forecast, such as decreased production of the marine changes in water quality, fishery harvest assemblage. levels, wetland development activities

71 Estuarine Resident Assemblage extensive marshes exist, the pattern of future marsh loss would influence how As barrier islands erode and wetland that loss impacts productivity. A gradual erosion and submergence continue over loss of marsh edge (enlargement of water the next 50 years, it is likely that higher bodies) should not have a major short- salinity levels will occur at more inland term effect. locations. To remain in preferred salinity zones, the estuarine resident assemblage Where land loss occurs in the form of will continue to be displaced northward internal marsh break-up (formation of as salinity shifts occur. The magnitude numerous small water bodies in an of population relocations will be related otherwise continuous marsh), production to the salinity tolerance and habitat could be enhanced by increased habitat preferences of individual species within accessibility and the export of nutrients the assemblage. The American oyster is and plant detritus. The Johnson’s Bayou especially sensitive to salinity changes mapping units in Region 4 provide an because of its susceptibility to attack by example of such a loss pattern and predators and parasites as average associated fishery production increases. salinities increase above 15 parts per Even in these areas, however, as thousand. Overall, as preferred wetland deterioration continues beyond the year habitats deteriorate, detrital based food 2050, production would decline. Overall, sources diminish, and zones of optimal the matrices (Appendices C-F) indicate salinity are reduced or shift to areas that wetland erosion and fragmentation having otherwise unsuitable habitats, will cause a reduction in the productivity populations of species within the of guilds within the estuarine-dependent American oyster guild will decline. assemblage.

Estuarine Dependent Assemblage Freshwater Assemblage

Guilds within the estuarine-dependent Freshwater assemblages have a low assemblage can tolerate a variety of tolerance for salinity. They generally are salinity conditions, so salinity change found in coastal areas having salinities of alone should not significantly affect 2 parts per thousand or less. As higher populations. Production of many of the salinity water encroaches into previously guilds, however, is closely associated fresh wetlands, species within the with the areal extent and interspersion of freshwater guilds would be displaced. vegetated, intertidal wetlands. In areas The ability of these guilds to relocate to such as the Terrebonne Wetlands suitable habitat is restricted by land mapping unit of Region 3, estuarine elevation. That is, at some point the wetlands are already highly fragmented freshwater aquatic habitats of the coastal (high water-marsh interspersion). The area grade into nonaquatic habitat. predicted continued marsh loss within Populations within the largemouth bass such mapping units would result in and channel catfish guilds may not be reduced wetland habitat availability and greatly affected in areas having a a decline in production. In areas where relatively low predicted rate of wetland

72 loss. The total area of suitable, protected by the Endangered Species Act, freshwater habitat, however, will are recovering from very low populations diminish as marsh and barrier island experienced over the last three decades. buffers between the Gulf of Mexico and Increasing populations for those two fresh to low salinity zones deteriorate. species are projected to continue in the Reduction of the area available for use future, independent of near-term wetland by the freshwater assemblage guilds changes. The fate of other species groups would result in an overall reduction of in coastal Louisiana will be influenced by those populations. Only in the area of habitat conditions there. These groups Atchafalaya and East Cote Blanche Bays include migratory birds, such as wintering and in the vicinity of river diversion waterfowl, which rely on the abundant outfall sites is there an expected food supply in coastal wetlands to store expansion of freshwater fishery habitat sufficient energy reserves for migration by 2050. and nesting. The prediction of extensive land loss and habitat change by the year Summary 2050 prompted an examination of the effect of such losses and changes in the In general, populations within the marine abundance of wildlife. assemblage should remain relatively steady unless there is a decline in food Methodology availability related to the loss of wetland habitat. Species within the estuarine To assess the recent trends and future resident and estuarine dependent projections of wildlife abundance within assemblages will decline based on the Coast 2050 study area (Appendices B- habitat loss predictions for the year 2050. F), 21 prominent wildlife species and/or The two guilds representing the species groups were identified: freshwater assemblage are predicted to (1) brown pelican, (2) bald eagle, have steady to decreasing population (3) seabirds, (4) wading birds, levels except in those mapping units with (5) shorebirds, (6) dabbling ducks, significant freshwater inflows. (7) diving ducks, (8) geese, (9) raptors, (10) rails, gallinules, and coots, Wildlife (11) other marsh and open water residents, (12) other woodland residents, Louisiana’s coastal wetlands, extending (13) other marsh and open water from the forested wetlands at the upper migrants, (14) other woodland migrants, end to the barrier shorelines bordering (15) nutria, (16) muskrat, (17) mink, otter, the gulf, provide a diverse array of and raccoon, (18) rabbit, habitats for numerous wildlife (19) squirrel, (20) white-tailed deer, and communities. In addition to fulfilling all (21) American alligator. A matrix was life cycle needs for many resident developed for each region to present the species, coastal wetlands provide function, status, trend (over last 10 to 20 wintering or stopover habitat for years), and projection (through the year migratory waterfowl and many other 2050) for the above listed species and/or birds. The bald eagle and brown pelican, species groups for each habitat type

73 within each mapping unit. Habitat types throughout the study area. Such which occupied less than 5% of a given predictions may or may not prove to be mapping unit were excluded unless that accurate. Additionally, numerous other habitat type was viewed to be unique or factors including water quality, harvesting unless it performed a critical function. level, and habitat changes elsewhere in the species’ range cannot be predicted Information displayed in the matrices and were not considered in these (see Appendices C-F for Regions 1-4, projections. Therefore, the projections respectively) represents common presented below and in the Appendices understandings of the selected species are to be viewed and used with caution. and/or species groups, field observations, some data, and recent and Region 1 Wildlife projected habitat changes, all Trends and Projections synthesized by wildlife biologists from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife Trends and Fisheries, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Natural Resources Brown pelican and bald eagle abundances Conservation Service. are increasing. Wading bird abundance has increased in all but four mapping Because the amount of information units which surround Lake Borgne. contained in the matrices is quite Dabbling duck, diving duck, rail, gallinule, extensive (21 species or species groups, and coot numbers are declining in Central 140 mapping units, and up to seven Wetlands and South Lake Borgne. The habitat types per mapping unit), a abundance of raptors and other woodland general discussion is presented, by species are increasing in forested region, of only those instances where wetlands. Alligator abundance has been species or species groups have been increasing in the upper basin and decreasing or increasing in abundance decreasing in the lower basin. over the last 10 to 20 years, or are projected to decrease or increase in Projections abundance through the year 2050. If a species or species group is not discussed Brown pelican and bald eagle numbers within a region, the abundance of that are projected to increase in areas species or species group has been presently occupied. Seabird abundance is generally steady over the last 10 to 20 expected to decrease in the lower basin years and is expected to remain generally and in the Bonnet Carré and LaBranche steady through the year 2050. Wetland mapping units. Wading bird numbers are expected to decrease in the The projection of wildlife abundance four mapping units which surround Lake through the year 2050 is based almost Borgne. The numbers of dabbling ducks, exclusively on the predicted conversion diving ducks, geese, rails, gallinules, and of marsh to open water and the gradual coots are expected to decline in the relative sinking and resultant Manchac and East Orleans Land Bridge deterioration of forested habitat areas, Central Wetlands, and South Lake

74 Borgne. The abundance of other birds areas of high land loss. Raptor utilizing marsh and open water habitats abundance has increased in forested is expected to decrease in three units on habitats and decreased in deteriorating the periphery of Lake Borgne and in the marshes. Furbearer and alligator numbers LaBranche Wetlands. are decreasing in areas experiencing high land loss. The abundance of raptors and other woodland species is expected to Projections decrease in forested habitats. Raptor abundance is expected to decrease for Brown pelican and bald eagle numbers five marsh-dominated units around Lake are projected to increase in areas Pontchartrain and Lake Borgne. presently occupied. Seabird abundance is Furbearer and alligator numbers are expected to decrease in areas of high land expected to decrease in the lower basin. loss. Wading bird and shorebird Alligator abundance in the upper basin is abundance are expected to decrease in the expected to increase. In mapping units region except in areas influenced by river surrounding Lake Maurepas, in Central diversions. The numbers of dabbling Wetlands, and in South Lake Borgne, ducks, diving ducks, rails, gallinules, and squirrel, rabbit, and white-tailed deer coots are expected to increase in the abundance are expected to decrease. vicinity of freshwater diversions and decline in the other central and lower Region 2 Wildlife Trends region marshes. Goose abundance is and Projections expected to decrease in the less active delta areas. Trends The abundance of other birds using Brown pelican and bald eagle abundance marsh and open water habitats is are increasing. Seabird abundance is projected to decrease in deteriorating decreasing in areas of high land loss. wetlands and increase in projected land- Dabbling duck and diving duck numbers building areas such as West Bay. are declining in the brackish and saline Decreased numbers of raptors and other marshes of the central and lower woodland birds are expected across the portions of Region 2, declining in the region except in areas influenced by river less active parts of the Mississippi River diversions. Furbearer and alligator delta, and increasing in the vicinity of numbers are projected to decrease in freshwater diversions. Goose numbers areas expected to experience high land are declining in less active parts of the loss. Squirrel abundance is expected to delta. Rail, gallinule, and coot trends are decline throughout Region 2. Rabbit and similar to that of dabbling ducks, except white-tailed deer numbers are expected to that Cataouatche/Salvador and Gheens decline in much of the fresh swamp, have increasing numbers. The hardwood forest, and central and lower abundance of other birds using marsh marshes. and open water habitats is declining in

75 Region 3 Wildlife Trends and Penchant marshes. The abundances and Projections of raptors and other birds utilizing hardwood forests are expected to Trends decrease.

Brown pelican and bald eagle numbers Furbearer and alligator populations are are increasing. Seabird abundance has expected to decrease in deteriorating declined in the Terrebonne-Timbalier wetlands of the Terrebonne-Timbalier Bay area. Wading bird abundance has Bay area and in Mechant-de Cade. increased in stable wetlands and has Squirrel abundance is expected to decline decreased in deteriorated habitats. throughout Region 3, except in the Avoca Shorebird abundance is decreasing in the mapping unit. Rabbit and white-tailed Terrebonne-Timbalier mainland marshes. deer numbers are expected to decline in Goose numbers are increasing in the much of the fresh swamp and hardwood Penchant mapping unit and in the forest habitats and in the lower central marshes near the Atchafalaya River. Terrebonne, lower eastern Terrebonne, Rail, gallinule, and coot numbers are and Penchant marshes. decreasing in areas where marshes are deteriorating. The abundance of raptors Region 4 Wildlife Trends has increased in forested wetlands. and Projections

Furbearer numbers have decreased in the Trends deteriorated wetlands of the Terrebonne- Timbalier Bay area and in the Mechant- In the vicinity of the gulf, Calcasieu Lake, de Cade mapping unit. Alligator and Sabine Lake, brown pelican numbers abundance is increasing in marsh- are increasing. Bald eagles have shown a dominated mapping units which are small but increased presence in the South strongly influenced by the Atchafalaya White Lake unit. Wading bird abundance River and is decreasing in units that have is increasing in marsh habitats. In the experienced high land loss. Mermentau Basin, dabbling duck and diving duck abundances have declined in Projections mapping units surrounding Grand Lake and White Lake. In the Calcasieu-Sabine Brown pelican and bald eagle numbers basin, duck abundance has been generally are projected to increase in areas increasing. Goose abundance is presently occupied. The abundances of increasing throughout much of Region 4. seabirds, wading birds, shorebirds, Alligator abundance is generally raptors, and other birds utilizing marsh increasing in mapping units with low to and open water habitats are expected to moderate salinity regimes and low to decrease in deteriorating wetland areas. moderate tidal energy. Dabbling duck, diving duck, goose, rail, gallinule, and coot numbers are expected to decline in the lower central Terrebonne, lower eastern Terrebonne,

76 Projections Decreased abundance of other birds utilizing marsh and open water habitats is Brown pelican and bald eagle numbers expected in marsh habitats in 17 are projected to increase in areas Calcasieu-Sabine basin mapping units presently occupied. Seabird abundance and 12 Mermentau Basin mapping units. is projected to decrease in marsh habitats The abundances of raptors and other of the Calcasieu-Sabine Basin. birds utilizing forested habitats are Decreases in wading bird abundance are expected to decrease. The abundance of expected in marsh habitats of eight furbearers is expected to increase in the Calcasieu-Sabine Basin mapping units Cameron-Creole Watershed mapping and six Mermentau Basin units. unit. Alligator numbers are expected to Decreased shorebird abundance is increase in six low salinity mapping units expected in marsh habitats in 11 and two mapping units where salinity and Calcasieu-Sabine Basin mapping units water level regimes are now manipulated and 11 Mermentau Basin mapping units. (Cameron-Creole Watershed and West The abundances of dabbling ducks, Black Lake). In mapping units with high diving ducks, geese, rails, gallinules, and land loss projections, rabbit and white- coots are expected to decline in mapping tailed deer numbers are expected to units surrounding Grand Lake and White decline. Lake, and in other mapping units throughout Region 4 where conversion of marsh to open water is expected.

77 Table 6-1. Representative fish and invertebrate guilds of coastal Louisiana.

Species (guild) Primary Life stage Habitat Salinity habitat Seasonal preference preference function preference

EM SH DW FS F I B SA S NU FO SP SU FA WI YR

Marine assemblage

Spanish Adult mackerel Juvenile

Estuarine dependent assemblage

Red drum Adult

Juvenile *

Black drum Adult

Juvenile *

Spotted Adult seatrout Juvenile *

Gulf Adult menhaden Juvenile *

Southern Adult flounder Juvenile *

White Subadult shrimp Juvenile *

Brown Subadult shrimp Juvenile *

Blue crab Adult

Juvenile * *

Estuarine resident assemblage

American oyster * *

Freshwater assemblage

Large Adult * mouth bass Juvenile

Channel Adult * catfish Juvenile Habitat preference—EM=emergent marsh; SH=shallow water; DW=channel, open water > 6 ft; FS=fresh swamp Salinity preference—F=fresh; I=intermediate; B=brackish; SA=saline Primary habitat function—S=spawning; NU=nursery; FO=foraging Seasonal preference—SP=spring; SU=summer; FA=fall; WI=winter; YR=year round * Indicates immigration period for marine transient species and spawning season for resident species.

78 CHAPTER 7

ECOSYSTEM MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES

Strategic Goals ecosystem maintained itself against the natural forces (such as subsidence and Because natural processes created the erosion) that cause marsh loss. Self- highly productive wetlands in coastal maintenance is the most essential Louisiana, reestablishment of these attribute of “what the ecosystem needs.” processes is essential to achieve Failure to achieve self-maintenance in sustainability. Reestablishment does not the system means either the system imply controlling nature but does require cannot be sustained, or the system must constructive use of the forces that be maintained artificially with large formed coastal Louisiana (the rivers, ongoing investments of labor, energy, rainfall, and the gulf). Neither does and materials. reestablishment imply a return of the coastal system to a pristine condition, To achieve self-maintenance, sustainable because too much has changed for that marshes must accumulate sediment to occur. The intent is to design and/or organic matter at a rate that restoration strategies based on ecological equals or exceeds the combined effect of principles so the future coast will have sea-level rise and subsidence. This the productivity and other desirable upward growth in the land surface, to features of a highly-valued natural counteract sinking, is known as vertical system. accumulation. Delta building is one natural process of accumulation of new There are three strategic goals that must land. For established marshes, vertical be achieved in order to restore the accumulation occurs through periodic, coastal ecosystem. Each goal is gentle marsh flooding and drainage that discussed below. The regional promote healthy vegetation and large ecosystem strategies, described rates of organic production. It is also subsequently, are intended to important to protect otherwise self- accomplish these goals. sustaining wetlands from excessive erosional forces. Goal 1: Assure vertical accumulation to achieve sustainability Goal 2: Maintain estuarine gradient to achieve diversity The natural, long-term productivity of Louisiana’s coastal wetlands has Following sustainability, a second occurred because, over a large area and essential characteristic that makes the over time measured in centuries, the natural system so productive is its

79 diversity of habitats and the consequent normal export of surplus organic marsh diversity of fish and wildlife resources. detritus to sustain the estuarine food These habitats include swamps, marshes chain; and overflow of fresh water (with of various salinities, and the more nutrients and sediments) into marshes in emergent landforms (natural and a natural flow regime. artificial levees, chenier ridges, and barrier islands). With diversity, the Optimal linkages require that the ecosystem is capable of providing a wide landforms and hydrology of the array of outputs and is resilient to ecosystem allow for efficient exchange adverse changes. of energy and materials between the marshes and estuaries. In turn, this is A dynamic salinity gradient in each achieved by habitats that have stable estuary is the fundamental driving force edges and that are naturally interspersed that creates natural ecosystem diversity. with other habitats, and by a hydrologic Significant freshwater input must occur regime that maintains the natural at the upper end of each estuary and rhythms of the coast—including tidal must flow seaward to grade into cycles, storms, and river floods. increasingly saline and tidally dominated flow at the gulf end of the estuary, where The regional strategies discussed below the system is partially contained by apply these three strategic goals in emergent land (such as barrier islands or different ways, depending on the specific chenier ridges). With a salinity gradient needs of ecosystems in different areas. comes the gradation of fresh- The relative role of the regional strategies intermediate-brackish-saline vegetation in meeting the ecosystem needs is and associated variations in fish and broadly categorized, according to the wildlife habitat. The other features of estimated amount of marsh benefitted, ecosystem diversity, such as the more as minor (< 1,000 acres), moderate emergent landforms, are natural (1,000-5,000 acres), major (5,000-10,000 outgrowths of the delta-building and acres) or substantial (>10,000 acres). chenier cycles. Further details about specific strategies follow; very broadly, any given strategy Goal 3: Maintain exchange and includes one or more of the following interface to achieve system linkages approaches.

Ecosystem linkages are the pathways by C Enhance the ecosystem by using which energy, materials, and organisms resources more efficiently . In some are transferred and mixed among the areas, especially those with strong ecosystem components. Effective and positive riverine influences, the interconnections are needed to support a integrity of the natural system is food chain that is diverse and highly intact and the wetlands are productive. Examples include migration considered sustainable through 2050 of saltwater organisms into with little or no further intervention. comparatively fresher marshes as part of Strategies are designed to make their natural reproductive cycle; the

80 more effective use of the available virtually all of the ecosystem resources. integrity is lost and there is no vegetative substrate upon which to C Maintain the ecosystem by recover sustainable conditions. addressing known risks . In some Consequently, if emergent wetlands areas, the ecosystem is now thriving are desired, they will need to be but is at risk of losing its newly built, as through a new delta sustainability by 2050. These lobe or marsh creation project. ecosystems may be at risk from the Alternatively, such areas would predicted loss of adjoining exist and function as an open water wetlands, shorelines, barrier islands, system. or levee ridges that now provide integrity to the ecosystem. The Coastwide Common Strategies risks may also relate to prospective changes in existing hydrologic The coastwide common strategies were management. In such areas, ubiquitous to practically every mapping strategies aim to reduce risks and unit, so they are simply defined one promote hydrologic conditions that time, with the understanding that they are favorable to sustainability, would be implemented as appropriate. diversity, and exchange. They are explicitly recommended for some mapping units where there is C Recover the ecosystem by reversing deemed to be a compelling and the loss process . Large areas of the immediate need for such a strategy coast exist where the ecosystem has (Appendices C-F). lost some of its integrity and the emergent wetlands are no longer Beneficial Use of Dredged Material self-maintaining. Where these areas from Maintenance Operations have a platform of intact (but perhaps declining) vegetation, it is Five components are recognized: (1) possible that the wetlands could inventory unused material, (2) assess return to self-maintaining suitability of material for beneficial use conditions. The strategies are to (e.g., grain size, contaminants), (3) recover sustainability through identify sites to benefit from unused restoration actions that recreate the material, (4) address the Federal standard lost aspects of system integrity, for beneficial use, and (5) secure funding reduce existing vegetation stresses, to utilize unused material if beneficial and/or stimulate vertical use is more costly than the Federal accumulation. standard. Some aspects of this beneficial use are programmatic in nature in that C Rebuild the ecosystem by creating they do not result in project new wetlands. Finally, in some development and construction. The parts of the coast, the ecosystem beneficial use strategies listed in the has degraded to the point that regional and mapping unit tables

81 (Appendices C-F) refer to the physical to be in excess of 35,000 acres. The act of building wetlands with dredged need for stabilization in critical areas has material rather than the programmatic been noted in all four Coast 2050 aspects, discussed later in this document regions. (Chapter 8). Maintenance of Bay and Dedicated Dredging for Lake Shoreline Integrity Wetland Creation This strategy includes an array of Wetland habitat creation using dredging shoreline protection technologies in technology is a viable strategy across the locations where excessive erosion of bay coastal zone to build land where and lake rims would expose interior traditional marsh building processes do marshes to increased rates of erosion or not occur or are infeasible. This strategy severe hydrologic change. The strategy differs from beneficial use of is not intended to armor all shorelines or maintenance dredged material in that to prevent normal shoreline retreat and maintenance dredged material from rollover. navigation channels or other permitted activities is not the intended sediment Management of Pump Outfall source. As a strategy, the primary for Wetland Benefits purpose of dedicated dredging is the utilization of dredged material to restore, As the number of pumps increases create, or enhance coastal wetlands. throughout the coast, so do the opportunities to benefit wetlands while Herbivory Control improving the quality of the discharged water. Water quality improvement Nutria, and occasionally muskrat, usually involves introducing the populations can become so high in discharge into wetlands, rather than certain areas of Louisiana’s coast that directly into waterways, in a controlled they actually destroy marsh, resulting in fashion for filtering. its conversion to open water. This strategy is aimed at reducing the severe Vegetative Planting levels of marsh destruction by increasing trapping incentives, developing better Planting projects have been used for markets for nutria, etc. over a decade in Louisiana with a high degree of success. Vegetative plantings Stabilization of Major can stabilize banks and reestablish Navigation Channels wetlands in some areas. Added benefits include increased overall plant The loss of wetlands resulting from the productivity in the area direct effects of bank erosion along and creation of prime Louisiana’s nine major navigation habitat for wildlife and channels in the coastal zone is estimated fish.

82 Maintain or Restore Ridge Functions 400 acres of intermediate marshes that lie west of the Pontchartrain/Maurepas Coastal ridges resulting from abandoned Land Bridge. The Middle Basin contains shorelines or natural levees are a critical 21,850 acres of swamps, 20,000 acres of structural component of our estuaries. fresh marshes, 27,300 acres of The repair or maintenance of these to intermediate marshes, and 42,000 acres protect or improve the hydrology of the of brackish marshes surrounding Lake coast is recommended at numerous Pontchartrain. The Lower Basin consists locations. of 90 acres of swamps, 2,000 acres of fresh marshes, 68,900 acres of brackish Terracing marshes, and 79,700 acres of saline marshes around Lake Borgne and near Terracing, accompanied by vegetative Chandeleur Sound. planting, is an effective means of marsh habitat creation in areas with soils of The region contains Lakes Pontchartrain, suitable mineral content. Functions and Maurepas, and Borgne, which govern values of terraces include nursery hydrology and drainage patterns habitat, fetch reduction, and sediment throughout the region. The Amite and trapping in addition to promoting Tickfaw Rivers, Bayou Manchac and conditions conducive to growth of other rivers drain into Lake Maurepas. submerged aquatic vegetation. These contribute to significant water movement within the area. Lake Region 1 Strategic Plan Pontchartrain is affected by freshwater inflows from Pass Manchac, North Pass, Background and the Tangipahoa, Tchefuncte, and Bogue Falaya Rivers, some bayous, and Region 1 encompasses the Lake the Bonnet Carré Spillway. The lower Pontchartrain Basin, which extends from basin contains many tidal channels. the Mississippi River on the west to the Major navigation channels include the Chandeleur Islands on the east, and from MRGO and the Gulf Intracoastal the Prairie Terrace on the north to the Waterway. Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MRGO) on the south. It covers portions of the Habitat Objectives following parishes: Livingston, Tangipahoa, St. Tammany, St. Bernard, Generally, parish governments and Orleans, Jefferson, St. Charles, St. John citizens in Region 1 are more concerned the Baptist, St. James, and Ascension. with maintaining present habitats and current levels of productivity in the The region can be divided into three region than with making massive subbasins. The Upper Basin consists of changes (Fig. 7-1, 7-2). Some the 110,000 acres of bottomland conversion of intermediate and brackish hardwoods, 191,630 acres of swamps, marshes to fresh marshes is deemed 12,700 acres of fresh marshes, and about

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warranted in the Manchac and North 3. Restore natural drainage patterns . Shore marshes and around the Pearl In areas of the Upper Basin where River mouth. Open water in the interior diversions are not built, natural drainage of the forested wetlands in and around patterns would be restored by gapping Lake Maurepas is also recommended for spoil banks, plugging canals, and reconversion to forest. Forested maintaining culverts. For instance, if the wetlands in the central wetlands, culverts under U.S. Highway 51 were currently stressed by high salinity, are properly maintained, the swamps to the also denoted for expansion. Some of the west would be less stressed by ponded saline marshes in the Biloxi Marsh water. This strategy is projected to mapping unit are recommended for preserve minor amounts of swamp. conversion to brackish marsh. 4. Provide diversion-related flood Regional Ecosystem Strategies protection where needed . Additional flood protection and drainage would be Restore Swamps provided to any developed areas in the Upper Basin that would be threatened by 1. Small Mississippi River diversion at diversion-related flooding. Low levees Blind River with outfall management . would be provided at the The swamps in the Upper Basin are wetland/nonwetland interface with dying because they are subsiding, pumped drainage. This strategy is flooding, and lacking sediment and necessary before any of the diversions nutrients. A diversion of no greater than can be built, and its benefits to wetlands 2,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) at Blind will be indirect. River with outfall management (restoring natural drainage patterns by gapping Restore/Sustain Marshes spoil banks, plugging canals, and maintaining culverts) is proposed (Fig.7- 5. Small diversion from the Mississippi 2). This strategy is intended to preserve River through the Bonnet Carré these swamps by reducing flooding and Spillway by opportunistically removing providing them with nutrients. At the pins from the water control structure . present time, the extent of possible The wetlands along the south shore of wetland benefits is uncertain. Lake Pontchartrain have a low loss rate, probably because the water diverted 2. Small Mississippi River diversion at through the Bonnet Carré Spillway for Reserve Relief Canal with outfall flood control provides sediment and management . A diversion of no greater nutrients. Authorization would be than 2,000 cfs at the Reserve Relief sought for removing pins from the Canal with outfall management is Bonnet Carré Flood Control Structure expected to preserve minor acreage in when the Mississippi River is high. The these swamps by reducing flooding and diverted water would provide additional providing them with nutrients. nutrients and sediment to the wetlands adjoining Lake Pontchartrain. By

86 removing pins early in the year, the fresh 9. Dedicated delivery of sediment for water and nutrients would be diverted to marsh building . Material could be the lake before the warm temperatures pumped from adjacent lakes or rivers to could cause large algal blooms. Some of create marsh in several units the additional water would be moved to (Tchefuncte, Tangipahoa, and Pearl the west, perhaps along the Old River mouths, Eloi Bay, and Biloxi Hammond Highway borrow pit, to reach marshes). This strategy is projected to the Manchac wetlands. This strategy is create a moderate amount of marsh. expected to prevent the loss of a moderate amount of wetlands. Protect Bay and Lake Shorelines

6. Small diversion of Mississippi River 10. Maintain shoreline integrity of water into La Branche Wetlands . A Lake Pontchartrain . Maintaining the small diversion from the Mississippi shoreline integrity of Lake Pontchartrain River could be made into the southern needs to be addressed. Lake shoreline La Branche marshes. The diversion is protection could be in the form of likely to prevent the loss of a moderate structural means (wave busters, gobi amount of wetlands. mats, rip-rap, etc.) or non-structural means (vegetative rolls or mats, 7. Diversion from Jefferson Parish vegetative plantings, etc.). This strategy drainage into La Branche Wetlands . is expected to preserve a minor amount Drainage water would be pumped into of marsh. the swamps or marshes wherever feasible. Pumping water from the 11. Maintain shoreline integrity of Jefferson Parish drainage canal is Lake Borgne and protect shoreline of proposed to get additional fresh water the Biloxi Marshes . Maintaining the and nutrients into the La Branche shoreline integrity of Lake Borgne needs Wetlands. This strategy is expected to to be addressed. Lake shoreline preserve a minor amount of wetlands. protection could be achieved by structural means (wave busters, gobi 8. Wetland sustaining diversion from mats, rip-rap, etc.) or non-structural the Mississippi River near Violet once means (vegetative rolls or mats, the MRGO is closed. A 2,000 to 5,000 vegetative plantings, etc.). This strategy cfs diversion from the Mississippi River is projected to preserve a minor amount through the Violet Canal to sustain the of marsh. Shoreline protection of the Central Wetlands and Biloxi Marshes Biloxi Marshes is necessary because would be built. Such a diversion could over 18% of the area will be lost by the not be effective until the MRGO is year 2050 if nothing is done. Shoreline closed. This strategy is estimated to protection of the most seriously eroding preserve moderate amounts of the areas is projected to preserve a moderate marshes in the Central Wetlands and amount of marsh. adjacent to Lake Borgne. These marshes provide significant hurricane buffering for the New Orleans metropolitan area.

87 Restore and Maintain Barrier Islands Special Problems— Resolve the MRGO Problem 12. Maintain Chandeleur Islands if necessary. The Chandeleur Islands 14. Close MRGO to deep draft provide unique habitat in the basin: navigation when adequate container beaches, dunes, marshes, mudflats, and facilities exist on the river. The MRGO beds of submerged aquatic vegetation is perceived as a major problem in the (SAV). The islands are fairly stable, but Pontchartrain Basin. Wave erosion they breach regularly and are moving causes a 15-foot per year loss along 37 north and west. The islands were miles of the north bank. When the seriously damaged by Hurricane MRGO was completed in the 1960’s, Georges in 1998. Portions of the salinity increased in the basin, causing Chandeleurs are protected with a massive environmental damage. wilderness designation that prevents any Currently, the MRGO is the only access repair. Coordination with the U.S. Fish to container facilities on the Inner Harbor and Wildlife Service should occur and a Navigation Canal. However, only 2-3 request for a special exemption from large ships per day use the waterway. Congress to allow island maintenance Some container facilities have just been should be sought. Islands would be built on the Mississippi River in the New restored with material from offshore or Orleans area, but they are generally fully from the maintenance of the MRGO. booked. This strategy would maintain the 1990 acreage on the islands. A large new Millennium Port, including container facilities, is proposed in Maintain Critical Landforms Plaquemines Parish. Once there are adequate container facilities on the river, 13. Maintain Eastern Orleans Land the MRGO would be closed to deep Bridge by marsh creation and shoreline draft navigation. The closure could be protection. This land bridge protects the achieved by a structure (gate or weir) at wetlands surrounding Lake the La Loutre ridge that would allow the Pontchartrain from higher salinity and passage of shallow-draft navigation but higher energy waters. It is a fairly stable reduce salinities coming up the MRGO. landform at the present time. If it In addition, the possibility of restoring appears that the land bridge is at risk, the ridges at Bayous Bienvenue, Dupre, major efforts would be made to stabilize and Yscloskey should be studied. The it. Marsh would be created and shoreline strategy of actually closing the channel protected by dedicated dredging or to deep draft shipping is expected to beneficial use. Vegetative plantings preserve minor amounts of marsh. could also be used. SAV beds would be restored. This strategy is estimated to 15. Expedite planning for the preserve moderate amounts of marsh. Millennium Port. The Millennium Port, a new deep draft port under consideration for construction in

88 Plaquemines Parish, would allow closure 19. Construct a sill at Seabrook . of the MRGO to large vessels. Planning During most summers, a large area of for the Millennium Port should start Lake Pontchartrain has very little immediately. dissolved oxygen at the bottom. This anoxic area is caused by salinity 16. Stabilize the entire north bank of stratification due to the MRGO. This the MRGO. The U.S. Army Corps of anoxic condition could be solved by Engineers (USACE) has placed some constructing a sill at Seabrook. This rock along the north bank of the MRGO strategy would improve fisheries in Lake under various authorities. Authorization Pontchartrain. and funding for more rock along the north bank would be sought. In Sequencing of Regional Strategies addition, dredged material would continue to be used beneficially behind Near Term (1-5 years) the rock. This strategy is projected to prevent the loss of a moderate amount of In the near term, easily constructed marsh. strategies should be implemented. Also, any strategies that are a necessary first 17. Acquire oyster leases and create step for other strategies should be built. marsh in the southern lobes of Lake Borgne. Oyster leases in the two The possible benefits of the Mississippi southern lobes of Lake Borgne (at River diversion at Blind River should be Bayous Dupre and Yscloskey) would be analyzed quickly because the cypress purchased and marsh created in these swamps west of Lake Maurepas are lobes by beneficial use of dredged some of the most severely stressed in the material. Rock dikes would contain the basin. If the diversion is found to be created marsh. The marsh would be feasible, the diversion-related flood maintained with maintenance material. protection must first be provided. This This strategy is expected to create and diversion and its outfall management preserve major amounts of marsh. should be closely monitored to verify its effectiveness. 18. Constrict breaches between MRGO and Lake Borgne with created marshes . Removing the pins from the Bonnet The rock needed to contain the created Carré Spillway when waters are high is a marsh would be placed so as to reduce very easily implemented strategy and the cross section of Bayous Dupre and should be started as soon as Yscloskey. This constriction would authorization can be acquired. Pumping reduce the salinity in Lake Borgne and from the Jefferson Parish drainage canals the Biloxi Marshes. This strategy would into La Branche Wetlands should be improve the area slightly for oysters, but started in the near term and monitored to wetland benefits have not yet been see if this strategy is appropriate for estimated. additional areas. The small diversion from the Mississippi River into La Branche Wetlands should be built.

89 Continued use and management of the increasing on the Eastern Orleans Land existing Violet siphon is recommended Bridge, restoration should be initiated. until the larger project is built. Critically Studies should be initiated on the 2,000- eroding shorelines of Lakes Borgne and 5,000 cfs diversion proposed for the Pontchartrain, such as those along the Violet Canal. Plans should be made for shorelines of the East Manchac Land the eventual closure of the MRGO with a Bridge and the East Orleans Land sill or gate at La Loutre. Bridge, should be maintained, as should the eastern shoreline of Biloxi Marshes. Long Term (16-50 years)

Construction of a sill at Seabrook should The MRGO should be closed to deep- be accomplished in the near future. draft navigation. The wetland sustaining Dedicated delivery of sediment should diversion at Violet should be built. be initiated in several units. Possibilities for other freshwater diversions from the Mississippi River The north bank of the MRGO should be into swamps should be sought if the stabilized as soon as possible. previous ones have proved effective. Negotiations to purchase the oyster leases in the lobes of Lake Borgne Local and Common Strategies should be initiated. Then, when the USACE needs new sites for beneficial There are some important local and use of dredged material, these areas will common strategies in Region 1. be available. Planning for the Shoreline integrity could be maintained Millennium Port or alternatives should in all mapping units (Fig. 7-3) around be expedited. Potential benefits, Lakes Maurepas, Pontchartrain, and including public safety, of closing the Borgne. Vegetative plantings of cypress MRGO should be evaluated. and/or marsh grass could occur in nearly all units. Dedicated dredging from Lakes Dialogue should be initiated with the Maurepas, Pontchartrain, and Borgne U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to could be used to create marsh on the determine the appropriateness of a West and East Manchac Land Bridges, specific change in the wilderness in La Branche Wetlands, the East designation for Breton National Wildlife Orleans Land Bridge, in South Lake Refuge that would allow restoration of Borgne and along the south shore of the Chandeleur Islands after severe Lake Pontchartrain near Lincoln Beach. damage such as that from Hurricane Georges in 1998. Beneficial use of dredged material from the Tangipahoa bar channel could occur. Intermediate Term (6-15 years) Dredged material from the MRGO could be used to create marsh in South Lake If the diversion at Blind River proves Borgne, the Biloxi Marshes, and Eloi effective in restoring swamps, the Bay. Reserve Relief Canal diversion should be built. If land loss appears to be

90 T ickfaw Tch efuncte River Livin gston Tangipahoa Rive r M outh Mo uth Area Area St.Tamm any Tangipahoa Are a River M outh N. Sho re M arshes East Pearl R iver Mouth M an chac L. B. e k as E. O rleans La p Lake r e W est Land Bridge au Pontchartrain M Manch ac L. B. Bay ou Amite/Blind Bonn et Sauvag e C arre La Br anche L ake W etla nds

91 Borgne Ascension Bilox i Ea st Area St. John The S. Lake M arshes Borgne Ch and ele ur St. James Baptist East Area s Soun d d n East Area a St.C harles O rle ans l s I East Area East Area r St. Be rnar d u Jefferso n Area Eloi Bay le N e East Area d Centra l W etla nds n a h C W E

S 10 0 10 20 Miles Region 1 Mapping Unit Boundaries

Figure 7-3. R egion 1 m apping units. Submerged aquatic vegetation could be Basins (220,100 acres of fresh marshes, restored in Lakes Pontchartrain and nearly 73,000 acres of intermediate Maurepas, in ponds on the East Orleans marshes, 214,500 acres of brackish Land Bridge and in Chandeleur Sound. marshes, and 151,100 acres of saline Wave breaks and rubble mounds could marshes). The fresh marshes are found maintain shoreline integrity and improve in the north, with a band of intermediate fisheries habitat in Lake Pontchartrain. marsh lying southward. The central In Lake Borgne and the Biloxi Marshes, portion of the basins contain brackish reef zones could enhance oyster marshes; saline marshes fringe the Gulf production. Hydrologic restoration could of Mexico and Breton Sound. The be accomplished on the Manchac Land southern end of the Barataria Basin is Bridges East and West, the North Shore bounded by a series of barrier headlands, marshes, the La Branche Wetlands, East islands and shorelines. Orleans Land Bridge, Bayou Sauvage, the Central Wetlands, South Lake Habitat Objectives Borgne, the Biloxi Marshes, and Eloi Bay. See Appendix C for more details Habitat objectives for the year 2050 were on these local and common strategies. first suggested by parish governments and representatives of local coastal zone Region 2 Strategic Plan advisory committees. Then, as the Regional Planning Team developed Background strategies, the habitat objectives were revised to correlate with the strategies. Region 2 includes the Breton Sound, These revised objectives were approved Barataria Basin, and the Mississippi by parishes. Because several large River Birdsfoot Delta. It stretches from diversions into the Barataria Basin are the MRGO on the east, to Bayou proposed, the habitat objectives include Lafourche on the west, to the Mississippi fresh marsh extending south of Little River on the north and the Gulf of Lake and across the basin through the Mexico on the south. It covers all or part Myrtle Grove unit (Figs. 7-4, 7-5). of the following parishes: St. Bernard, Plaquemines, Jefferson, Lafourche, St. Another objective is a new strip of fresh Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist, marsh parallel to the Mississippi River and Assumption. from West Point a la Hache to Venice and near the river in American Bay. A It is an area with great habitat diversity. band of intermediate marsh gulfward of Extensive bottomland hardwood forests the fresh marsh with brackish marsh to (90,000 acres) lie adjacent to the its south is also desired. The only Mississippi River and Bayou Lafourche. remaining saline marsh would be near Over 146,000 acres of cypress-tupelo Barataria Bay. The barrier islands and swamps cover the upper Barataria Basin. shorelines would be restored. Regional South of the swamps, vast marshes interested parties prefer the Mississippi extend to the Gulf of Mexico in the River Birdsfoot Delta to remain as it is Mississippi Delta, Barataria and Breton now.

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Regional Ecosystem Strategies developed so storm water is filtered through the swamps. U.S. Highway 90 Restore Swamps should be raised and sufficient flap-gated culverts should be installed so that 1. Construct small diversions with rainfall and the additional river water outfall management . A possible strategy could drain south by gravity. to preserve the stressed upper basin swamps is to construct several small Restore and Sustain Marshes sediment-rich diversions from the Mississippi River. The outfall of the 4. Use existing locks to divert diversions should be managed to spread Mississippi River water . The existing the water across the swamp, keep the locks on the Mississippi River (Algiers water moving and prevent ponding. The and Empire) could be used to divert as nutrients and small amounts of sediment much water as possible. At the present brought in by the river should slightly time, the USACE is releasing fresh water increase productivity and vertical through the Algiers Lock whenever the accretion in the swamps. This strategy is stage is low on the marsh side. The projected to preserve a minor amount of existing Harvey Lock cannot be used for swamp habitat. small diversions, but when a replacement lock is needed for navigation, it should 2. Restore natural drainage patterns . be also designed so that small diversions Another strategy consists of restoring would be feasible. Implementation of natural drainage by gapping spoil banks this strategy is projected to preserve a and plugging canals where these actions moderate amount of marsh by 2050. would not cause adverse effects. It would be implemented in swamps where 5. Manage outfall of existing it is not possible to provide freshwater diversions. The siphons at Naomi and diversions. It would be less effective in West Pointe a la Hache already have preventing swamp loss than the previous Breaux Act outfall management plans. strategy which brought in fresh water. These 20-year plans could be continued through 2050. The authorized outfall 3. Prevent diversion-related flooding management plan at Caernarvon should and remove diverted waters from the be implemented. A plan should be upper basin . To add water to the developed for the Davis Pond diversion. swamps, flood protection must be This strategy is estimated to moderately provided for developed areas, and reduce marsh loss by 2050. drainage improvements must be made so the water can exit the upper basin. Local 6. Enrich existing diversions with forced drainage should be provided at sediment . This enrichment is difficult to the wetland/nonwetland interface so the engineer at the siphons because extra swamps are separated from the sediment could cause clogging. This developed regions. Environmentally concept should be pursued at Davis sound pumping plans should be Pond and Caernarvon. Additional

95 sediment is expected to preserve a minor 10. Construct a delta-building amount of marsh by 2050. diversion in Myrtle Grove/Naomi area (15,000 cfs). A delta-building diversion 7. Continue building and maintaining from the Mississippi River should be delta splays. The Mississippi River is built in the vicinity of Myrtle Grove or creating marsh naturally on the east Naomi. Such a diversion is estimated to bank, south of Bohemia and in the have significant benefits by creating land Birdsfoot Delta. The natural delta on the and preventing loss in the central basin east bank should be maintained. The by 2050. Breaux Act program of building and maintaining delta splays in the Birdsfoot 11. Construct delta-building diversion Delta should be continued through 2050. in Bastion Bay (about 15,000 cfs) . A This strategy is projected to create a delta-building diversion of about 15,000 moderate amount of new land. cfs into Bastion Bay would create land and significantly reduce land loss in the 8. Construct most effective small vicinity. This strategy must address diversions . Several small diversions oyster lease issues. The strategy would from the Mississippi River have been also partially fill the borrow pit left from suggested as Breaux Act projects or are the construction of the New Orleans-to- being studied in the Mississippi River Venice hurricane protection levee. Local Sediment, Nutrient, and Freshwater interested parties are concerned that this Redistribution Study. The most effective pit is increasing marsh loss and causing of these small diversions should be increased salinities in the developed area. planned and built (Upper Oak River, Amoretta, east and west of Empire). The 12. Construct delta-building diversion above-mentioned diversions are into Benny’s Bay (about 50,000 cfs) . A projected to prevent a moderate amount very large diversion in the Birdsfoot of marsh loss by 2050. Delta between Main Pass and Baptiste Collette Bayou is projected to create a 9. Construct sediment trap in the substantial amount of land and reduce Mississippi River south of Venice . To future marsh loss. reduce maintenance dredging in Southwest Pass, the USACE is studying 13. Construct a delta-building the possibility of a sediment trap south diversion into American Bay (20,000 to of Venice. Material that would normally 100,000 cfs). This strategy is projected be dredged and “ocean dumped” could to create/preserve a moderate amount of be used beneficially. The trap would be land with a small diversion and a pumped out by a dustpan dredge and significant amount with the large significant amounts of marsh are diversion. This strategy must address projected to be created in the Birdsfoot oyster lease issues. Delta.

96 14. Construct delta-building diversion rapidly and are far from any riverine through controlled crevasses into sediment. One possible solution Quarantine Bay. This strategy consists involves pumping material from offshore of breaching the natural levee between to the deteriorating marsh-pond complex Bayou Lamoque and Fort St. Phillip to to create significant areas of marsh allow about 40,000 cfs to enter adjacent to Bayou Lafourche. This Quarantine Bay. Most of the sediment strategy would not be self-sustaining, but would be kept in Quarantine Bay by a it is projected to result in creating a low levee from California Point to Sable moderate amount of marsh by 2050. Island. This diversion is projected to create a significant amount of marsh and 18. Construct a large conveyance reduce loss in the vicinity. This strategy channel parallel to Bayou Lafourche to should not significantly impact oysters. divert approximately 30,000 cfs to create a delta lobe in and near Little 15. Prevent the loss of bedload into Lake. The potentially most effective deep gulf waters off the Continental alternative for rebuilding this collapsed Shelf by relocating the Mississippi wetland system is to initiate a new River Navigation Channel. subdelta in the area. The subdelta could One of the most significant ecological be accomplished by building a problems in coastal Louisiana is the loss conveyance channel about one-third the of major amounts of Mississippi River size of the Wax Lake Outlet that would sediments, including the bedload, into leave the Mississippi River south of deep gulf waters. This strategy would Donaldsonville and parallel Bayou dissociate riverine processes and Lafourche at the Forty Arpent line navigation and thus allow the Mississippi (Gagliano and van Beek 1993; Gagliano River sediments to build and nourish and van Beek 1998). marshes. Navigation would be handled by a new channel exiting to the east or One branch of the channel would cross west (but not north of Venice) with at Bayou Lafourche north of the Gulf least a double set of locks. The strategy Intracoastal Waterway and build a delta is expected to create a significant amount in the Bully Camp area of Region 3. The of land in the long term. other branch would stay on the east side of the bayou and nourish marshes or 16. Dedicated dredging to create marsh build a delta in and near Little Lake. near Louisiana Highway 1 . This Small diversions from the conveyance strategy would protect the vulnerable channel could be directed into wetlands highway with a 1,000-acre band of in the northern portion of the basin. The marsh in the Caminada Bay unit. main conveyance channel could be used as a floodway when the Mississippi 17. Dedicated delivery of sediment for River is high. marsh building in Caminada Bay. The marshes adjacent to the southern end of After consolidation, material dredged Bayou Lafourche are deteriorating from the channel might provide a base

97 for a new State Highway 1. Any Restore and Maintain Barrier Islands possible navigation features of this and Barrier Shorelines strategy must not impede the land- building capacity of the diversion. 22. Restore/maintain barrier headlands, islands, and shorelines . The This strategy is projected to create Fourchon headland, barrier islands, and significant amounts of marsh in the Little barrier shoreline are among the most Lake mapping unit, reduce marsh loss rapidly retreating shorelines in the over the entire western portion of the region. These areas would be restored Barataria Basin, and help preserve by the most cost-effective of the sand swamp in the upper basin. alternatives from the Barrier Shoreline Feasibility Study. This strategy is 19. Gap spoil banks and plug canals in projected to create moderate amounts of lower bay marshes. Where determined marsh and beach habitat by 2050. to be appropriate and feasible, spoil Additional unmappable benefits would banks would be gapped and canals be gained by protecting, restoring, or plugged to maximize sediment creating wooded areas critical for deposition in marshes adjacent to the neotropical migrants. bays in the lower portions of Breton and Barataria Basins. This strategy is 23. Extend and maintain barrier estimated to prevent a minor amount of shoreline from Sandy Point to loss. Southwest Pass . The Plaquemines Parish Council has requested that the Protect Bay and Lake Shorelines barrier shoreline be extended from Sandy Point to Southwest Pass. Material 20. Construct wave absorbers at the from the sediment trap (see Strategy 9) heads of bays. Low breakwaters would could possibly be used to build such a be built at the heads of bays, as shoreline. described in the Barrier Shoreline Feasibility Study, to protect fringing Maintain Critical Landforms - (Central marshes. The possibility of continuing Basin Land Bridge) these wave absorbers across the southern rim of the Lake 24. Build entire Breaux Act land bridge Washington/Grand Ecaille unit and also shore protection project . The southern across the mouth of the Breton Basin portion of the Perot/Rigolettes unit must would also be considered. This strategy be kept intact to protect the marshes is projected to preserve a major amount farther north. This project should be of marsh. built and maintained through 2050. It is expected to preserve a moderate amount 21. Construct reef zones across bays. of marsh by 2050. Reef zones would be constructed across bays. This strategy has no mappable marsh benefits but would enhance estuarine fisheries habitat.

98 25. Preserve bay and lake shoreline When the Barrier Shoreline Feasibility integrity on the land bridge . The Study is finalized, authority should be southern shores of Little Lake are in quickly sought to construct the danger of breaching into interior marsh, recommended alternative. The barrier and the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway is headlands, islands, and shoreline should about to breach into Lake Salvador on be restored as soon as possible. Wave the south shore of the lake. These absorbers should be built to preserve shorelines should be stabilized. This marshes at the heads of bays. strategy is projected to prevent the loss of a moderate amount of marsh. Construction of a full Breaux Act land bridge project should be a high priority. 26. Dedicated dredging to create marsh Authority should be sought to stabilize on the land bridge . This strategy the southern shorelines of Lake Salvador consists of dedicated dredging to create and Little Lake. Consideration should about 1,000 acres of marsh north of the be given to a dedicated dredging project Bayou L’Ours ridge to help stabilize the near the Bayou L’Ours ridge under land bridge. Breaux Act authority. If the Bayou Lafourche Pumping project is cost 27. Build the Bayou Lafourche siphon effective, it should be built. and pump project, if cost effective . The possibility of a small pumped diversion The relocation of the Mississippi River down Bayou Lafourche is being studied. navigation channel to allow better The waters could be directed into the utilization of river sediments to create Clovelly area to preserve a minor marsh should be analyzed. Studies amount of land bridge marshes. should be started immediately to determine methods to prevent loss of Sequencing of Regional Strategies massive amounts of sediments off the Continental Shelf. Near Term (1-5 years) The marshes in lower Barataria Basin are Authority should immediately be no longer sustainable without a massive obtained to create a strip of marsh infusion of sediment from the adjacent to Highway 1. The USACE is Mississippi River. The Breton Basin and initiating a Reconnaissance Report for Birdsfoot Delta offer opportunities for the area from Donaldsonville to the Gulf delta building diversions. The Regional of Mexico. This report will focus on Planning Team reached consensus on flood control, wetland conservation and the following sequenced set of strategies restoration, wildlife and fish, and to utilize the river. navigation. Those responsible for implementing the Coast 2050 program C The 50,000-cfs authorized Breaux should maintain close coordination with Act diversion at West Bay in the this effort so the upper basin swamps Birdsfoot Delta should be built as can be restored as quickly as possible. soon as possible.

99 C Short studies should be done to Restoration of the barrier islands and determine the feasibility of using the river diversions act synergistically and existing locks to divert river water are critical to the long-term sustainability and enriching existing diversions of the estuarine ecosystem. with sediment. These strategies could be accomplished by the The only way to prevent the loss of the USACE under an existing authority southwestern portion of the Barataria such as Section 1135. Basin adjacent to Bayou Lafourche is by importing massive amounts of sediment, C Outfall management plans should be either by dedicated dredging or by a developed for the Davis Pond conveyance channel from the Diversion, possibly under the Breaux Mississippi River parallel to Bayou Act. Lafourche. A feasibility study should be initiated in the near term. Planning and C The most effective small diversions construction phases would be very should be considered as priority list complicated because of the large project projects for the Breaux Act. area and its expected impacts to existing uses such as land-based transportation, Once the USACE completes the navigation, agriculture, drainage systems, Mississippi River Sediment, Nutrient, harvest of estuarine species, and flood and Freshwater Redistribution Feasibility protection systems. While planning Study, consideration should be given to could begin in the near term, diversion immediately implementing the sediment implementation would likely be in the trap concept and constructing a delta- long term. building diversion in the Myrtle Grove/Naomi area. Monitoring the Intermediate Term (6-15 years) Myrtle Grove Diversion would provide information to aid in planning the next The Regional Planning Team agreed that diversion. the following delta-building diversions should be built in sequence once the There are several considerations involved Myrtle Grove Diversion is complete: in these diversions: oyster lease issues, Bastion Bay from Buras, Benny’s Bay, land rights issues in terms of who owns and Quarantine and American Bays. mineral rights on the new land, and the possibility of increased maintenance Long Term (16-50 years) dredging in the Mississippi River. Timing is another important The conveyance channel from the consideration; one way to create an Mississippi River into the Little Lake artificial delta would be to pulse large area should be built, if feasible. The amounts of water into the area every few Breaux Act delta-splay project and the years. siphon outfall management projects should be continued from years 21-50.

100 During the regional meetings, some could be stabilized. The pumps diversion scenarios were suggested that connected with the Larose-to-Golden were not sequenced by the Regional Meadow hurricane protection project Planning Team: major diversions at could be relocated or redirected to place Amoretta and American Bay. The team outfall into the marsh instead of canals. preferred that these strategies be The function of the Bayou Barataria and considered only after all other strategies Bayou L’Ours ridges could be had been built or rejected as infeasible. maintained. The oak ridges on the barrier islands and shoreline could be Local and Common Strategies reestablished. Dredged material from the Barataria Bay Waterway and from Local strategies for Region 2 mapping South, Baptiste Collette, Grand and Tiger units (Fig. 7-6) include restoring Passes could be used to create marsh. hydrology in the Myrtle Grove area by Efforts should be made to beneficially various methods. The depth of South use more material from the Mississippi Pass could be limited to that necessary River. Material could be dredged from for navigation, and more flow should be offshore to build marsh in Barataria Bay, encouraged to exit through Pass à behind the barrier islands, and in Loutre. A small freshwater diversion Baptiste Collette, Pass a Loutre and East with outfall management could be built Bay units. Material from South Pass at Homeplace. Grand Pass could be could be used to create a barrier to enriched with sediment from the protect marshes along Southwest Pass. Mississippi River. Whenever the For a detailed matrix of local and opportunity arises, the hurricane common strategies by mapping unit, see protection levee borrow canal that runs Appendix D. from near Venice to Empire could be filled to create marsh. Wave absorbers Region 3 Strategic Plan could be placed along the barrier shoreline. Either the Empire jetties could Background be removed or a sand bypass system built. Region 3 encompasses the Terrebonne, Atchafalaya, and the Teche-Vermilion There are several common, coastwide Basins. The region extends from Bayou strategies that could be adopted. Lafourche on the east, to Freshwater Herbivory control could occur in the Bayou Canal on the west, and north to Baker, Cataouatche/Salvador, des the boundary of coastal wetlands as Allemends, Naomi, and Perot/Rigolettes defined in the Louisiana Coastal units. Maintaining shoreline integrity is Wetlands Conservation Plan (La. Dept. especially important around Caminada of Natural Resources 1997). It covers all Bay and Lake Cataouatche. Vegetative or part of the following parishes: plantings could be considered. Lafourche, Terrebonne, Assumption, Iberville, St. Martin, Iberia, St. Mary, The banks of the Gulf Intracoastal Lafayette, and Vermilion. Waterway, the Barataria Bay Waterway, and the Southwest Louisiana Canal

101 A scension S t.Jam es R egion 2 M apping U nit B ound arie s W est A rea W est A rea St. John Th e Plaque mine s Baptist We st Are a A rea St. Charles We st Area Je fferson Orleans W est A rea W est Area De s Ba ker Lake Jean Alle man ds Lafitte Leary River a ux Chene s Lake B oeuf Cataouatche/ J Asum ption S alvador Lo ea N u i n W est P o int E ast A re a a Cae rn arvo n s R o m o a la Hache i bi n G h e P e n R e s ig ro ol t, Lafourche et 102 Clove lly te Myrtle East A rea s Grove Breton Am erican S ou nd L a k B a y G e W Little ra n as d e h./ Ba ptiste N Lake E ca ille C ollette C heniere Ronquille W E Ba stia n Grand Cam inada B ay Cub its Ba y Barata ria L iard Bay Ga p S Ba rata ria B arataria Barrier Islan ds Barrier S h ore lines W est Pa ss a 10 0 10 20 M ile s B ay Lo utre F our chon Ea st Ba y

Fi g u re 7 -6 . R eg io n 2 m appi n g u n its . This region covers 1,107,900 acres of Habitat Objectives vegetated wetlands. The region contains approximately 368,550 acres of cypress Habitat objectives for the year 2050 were and bottomland forest. South of the first suggested by parish governments forested wetlands lie 298,300 acres of and representatives of local coastal zone fresh marsh, 92,700 acres of intermediate advisory committees. Then, as the marsh, 240,700 acres of brackish marsh, Regional Planning Team developed and 140,200 acres of saline marsh. strategies, the habitat objectives were revised to correlate with the strategies. The Region is divided into three basins These revised objectives were approved (Terrebonne, Atchafalaya, and Teche- by the parishes. Generally, parish Vermilion). Terrebonne Basin is divided governments and the public in Region 3 into four distinct subbasins. The Verret would like to maintain present habitats in Subbasin is north of Bayous Boeuf and areas above the Gulf Intracoastal Black and west of Bayous Terrebonne Waterway and revert to past habitats in and Lafourche. It contains forested areas below the Gulf Intracoastal wetlands and large lakes. The Fields Waterway (Figs. 7-7, 7-8). Subbasin lies north and east of Bayou Terrebonne and north of Bayou Blue, Regional Ecosystem Strategies and its wetlands are fresh marshes. The Penchant Subbasin is south of Bayous Restore Swamps Boeuf and Black, east of the Atchafalaya River and Bay, west of Bayou Du Large, 1. Improve hydrology and drainage in and includes Point au Fer Island. the Verret Subbasin . Implementation of Penchant’s major habitats range from a flood protection feature from the large areas of highly organic fresh USACE Lower Atchafalaya River floating marshes to more mineral Reevaluation Study would alleviate the brackish marshes. The Timbalier problems associated with chronic and Subbasin is south of Bayous Terrebonne excessive backwater flooding that is and Blue, east of Bayou DuLarge and largely due to Atchafalaya River west of Bayou Lafourche. Timbalier’s influence. This feature, known as the major habitat types range from organic “Barrier Plan,” would block water fresh marshes through saline marshes to exchange from south to north at U.S. barrier islands. The Atchafalaya Basin Highway 90 between Morgan City and includes Atchafalaya Bay and the Houma. Pumps would be installed to northern marshes. The Teche-Vermilion remove excess water from the Verret Basin extends from Point Chevreuil to Subbasin. The effect of this action on Freshwater Bayou Canal and includes floating marshes in the Penchant the fresh to brackish East and West Cote Subbasin is uncertain at this time, but the Blanche Bays, Vermilion Bay, and the water should be distributed so as not to surrounding marshes. impact these wetlands. Additional measures, such as introducing

103

supplemental water from the River and the Verret Subbasin. Atchafalaya River or the Mississippi Modifying water flow patterns to River to the Verret Subbasin during distribute the fresh water to other drought conditions to address water wetland areas, especially the lower quality needs, would be considered. Penchant marshes, would relieve the Implementation of this strategy would excessive flooding. Reducing water benefit about 200,000 acres of forested levels would reduce wetland losses in wetlands and prevent most future upper Penchant. swamp loss. The strategy would protect the affected communities, industries, and 4. Increase transfer of Atchafalaya agricultural lands from flooding. River water to lower Penchant tidal marshes. Tidal marshes adjacent to Four Restore and Sustain Marshes League Bay are strongly influenced by Atchafalaya River flows. These marshes 2. Maximize land building in are generally healthy whereas marshes Atchafalaya Bay. This strategy entails farther east receive less Atchafalaya implementing a delta management plan influence and are experiencing higher in Atchafalaya Bay to maximize land rates of loss. This strategy would building. One feature would be to implement measures to distribute more separate navigation from the delta Atchafalaya flow to the tidal marshes in development zone, thereby allowing the vicinity of Lake Mechant and Caillou more efficient delta growth and reduced Lake. Wetland losses are anticipated to navigation channel maintenance. be reduced by the increased flow of Another element of the strategy would fresh water and nutrients. be to train a delta lobe to extend toward Four League Bay to protect nearby 5. Enhance Atchafalaya River water mainland marshes from storm surges influence to central Terrebonne and to increase the amount of sediment marshes (Bayou Dularge to Bayou available for transit into the marshes Terrebonne). Implementation of this from storms. The delta management strategy would expand the zone of plan would attempt to contain land beneficial influence by modifying water building sediments in Atchafalaya Bay flow patterns to distribute Atchafalaya rather than filling bays to the west. This flow farther east and to adjust the north strategy would maintain the processes to south drainage in the area’s that preserve the mainland wetlands in watersheds as necessary to maximize the Atchafalaya outlets area. This wetland benefits. Wetland losses are strategy is anticipated to create expected to be reduced by the increased substantial amounts of marsh by 2050. flow of fresh water and nutrients.

3. Lower water levels in upper Penchant 6. Establish multipurpose control of marshes. Wetland stress in the upper Houma Navigation Canal . A lock or Penchant Subbasin is associated with gate on the Houma Navigation Canal is a excessive flooding from the Atchafalaya feature in the ongoing Morganza-to-the-

106 Gulf Study that could aid in transported by pipeline, barge, or truck accomplishing the strategy for enhancing when and where shown to be feasible. central Terrebonne marshes. The lock For instance, this strategy might be used and connecting levees could allow more to build a substantial amount of marsh in efficient use of Atchafalaya River water the lower Timbalier Basin. and sediment flow, aid in maintaining salinity regimes favorable to area 9. Build land in upper Timbalier wetlands, and provide hurricane Subbasin by sediment diversion from protection to residents of Terrebonne the Mississippi River via a conveyance Parish. More fresh water and less salt channel. The extremely high land loss in water north of the lock are anticipated to the Timbalier Subbasin is indicative of a reduce wetland losses. collapsed wetland system. High subsidence rates, inadequate sediment 7. Stabilize banks of navigation supply, altered hydrology, and increased channels for water conveyance . The tidal exchange rates are largely Avoca Cutoff Channel, Bayou Chene, responsible for this condition. the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (between the Atchafalaya River and Bayou Potentially, the most effective alternative Lafourche), and the Houma Navigation for rebuilding this wetland system may Canal would function as major be to initiate a new subdelta building conveyance channels for Atchafalaya process in the area (Gagliano and Van flow distribution. Some of the banks Beek 1993; Gagliano 1994, 1998; have deteriorated. To perform a Gagliano and Van Beek 1998). This conveyance function, the deteriorated subdelta could be accomplished by channel banks would need to be rebuilt diverting flows from the Mississippi and stabilized. This strategy acts River, south and east of Donaldsonville, synergistically with Strategies 3 through through a conveyance channel parallel to 6 above (lowering water levels in the the developed Bayou Lafourche ridge. upper Penchant marshes, increasing flow The diversion would be about 30,000 cfs, to lower Penchant tidal marshes, approximately one-third the size of the enhancing Atchafalaya influence to Wax Lake Outlet. A branch of the central Terrebonne marshes, and channel, carrying about half of the water, establishing multipurpose control of the would cross Bayou Lafourche below Houma Navigation Canal). Taken Thibodaux and end in the Bully Camp together, these five strategies are area. Any project-related navigation anticipated to preserve a substantial features must not impede or interfere amount of marsh through 2050. with the land building capacity of the channel. This strategy is anticipated to 8. Dedicated delivery of sediment for create substantial amounts of land and marsh building by any feasible means . reduce loss in the Bully Camp and This strategy could be used to rebuild Terrebonne marshes. wetlands on a small scale at sites across the region. Sediment could be

107 Protect Bay and Lake Shorelines create moderate amounts of marsh and barrier beaches. 10. Maintain shoreline integrity and stabilize critical areas of Teche- Special Concerns and Opportunities: Vermilion Bay systems including the Resolve Vermilion-Cote Blanche Bays gulf shorelines. Shoreline erosion is a Salinity and Turbidity major cause of land loss in the Teche-Vermilion Basin. Relative to The Teche-Vermilion Basin is strongly other coastal basins, interior wetland loss influenced by the Atchafalaya River. rates are low. By maintaining the River flow is transported westward into shoreline integrity, this strategy is the basin by the Gulf Intracoastal anticipated to preserve a moderate Waterway, by exchange between amount of marsh. Atchafalaya Bay and East Cote Blanche Bay, and by a diversion from the 11. Maintain shoreline integrity of Atchafalaya into Bayou Teche and the marshes adjacent to Caillou, Vermilion River. While this influence Terrebonne, and Timbalier Bays . The benefits wetlands and satisfies some irregular shorelines of the bays in the agricultural irrigation needs, there are Timbalier Subbasin are retreating rapidly. concerns about its adverse effects on Interior wetland loss rates are very high navigation and estuarine fisheries. in this subbasin. Interior wetlands would Managing the river’s influence to sustain benefit from measures that would absorb the basin’s wetlands is a general strategy. erosive wave energies and would aid in Several measures that address aspects of maintaining favorable hydrological this strategy are being evaluated in the conditions. This strategy is anticipated USACE Lower Atchafalaya River to preserve a moderate amount of marsh. Reevaluation Study. The following specific strategies include other measures Restore Barrier Islands and Gulf that address basin needs. Shorelines 13. Optimize Gulf Intracoastal 12. Restore and maintain the Isle Waterway flows into marshes and Dernieres and Timbalier barrier island minimize direct flow into bays . With chains. The Timbalier and Isles this strategy, Gulf Intracoastal Waterway Dernieres barrier island chains have flows would be routed through wetland severely eroded. This strategy would areas before draining into the bays. restore the island chains to a condition Sediments and nutrients would be suitable for maintaining the integrity of retained in the wetlands, and bay water the estuarine system. The Barrier temperatures would be increased. This Shoreline Feasibility Study has evaluated strategy is anticipated to preserve a alternative restoration measures, costs, moderate amount of marsh. and benefits of restoring the island chains. This strategy is anticipated to

108 14. Maintain Vermilion, East and West Sequencing of Regional Strategies Cote Blanche Bays as brackish . While this strategy could be viewed as an Near Term (1-5 years) objective, the sensitivity surrounding this issue required the statement be made a This category includes strategies that strategy. No specific measures have require implementation prior to other been identified to implement this restoration strategies because adverse strategy. The main expectation is to hydrologic impacts could result from achieve the objective when planning reversing the order. The urgency of other measures in the region that could flood protection must also be affect bay salinities. Benefits for this considered. strategy have not been estimated. Improved hydrology and drainage in the 15. Reduce sedimentation in bays . Verret Subbasin in the near term would Measures identified to implement be required before Atchafalaya River Strategies 2, 13, and 16 (maximizing land resources could be optimized for building in Atchafalaya Bay, optimizing wetland restoration in the Atchafalaya or Gulf Intracoastal Waterway flows into Terrebonne Basins in the intermediate marshes and minimizing direct flow into term. bays, and creating an artificial reef complex) would aid in accomplishing In the Terrebonne wetlands, dedicated this strategy. Other measures to reduce delivery of sediment would be an Atchafalaya River influence to these important strategy to maintain bays are being evaluated in the USACE abandoned distributary ridges such as Lower Atchafalaya River Reevaluation the natural levees of Bayous Lafourche, Study. Benefits for this strategy have not Pointe Au Chien, and Terrebonne. been estimated. Furthermore, this strategy could be used to enhance flood protection by building 16. Create an artificial reef complex wetlands adjacent to levees. This including one from Point Chevreuil strategy could be implemented toward Marsh Island . An artificial reef independently of, or concurrently with, would be constructed along the other restoration or flood protection alignment of the natural reef that was measures. mined earlier this century. Expectations are that the reef would restore some The potentially most effective way to semblance of the former hydrology in prevent loss in the Timbalier Subbasin is East Cote Blanche Bay and adjacent by importing massive amounts of wetlands. The reef would also enhance sediment to create a new subdelta. A fisheries through reduction of turbidity feasibility study should be initiated to and bay infilling. This strategy has no determine if a conveyance channel measurable marsh benefits. parallel to Bayou Lafourche is the most effective strategy. Planning and construction phases would be very complicated because of the large project

109 area and its expected impacts to existing shoreline protection. The shoreline uses such as land-based transportation, maintenance strategies would help to navigation, agriculture, drainage systems, achieve the strategy to reduce harvest of estuarine species, and flood sedimentation in Cote Blanche and protection systems. A network of flood Vermilion Bays. protection systems would be necessary and would extend from the Mississippi The four strategies developed to address River to the lower reaches of Bayous concerns over Atchafalaya River Lafourche, Terrebonne, and Pointe Au influence in the Teche-Vermilion Basin Chien. Some flood protection systems should be implemented in the near term, are in place and others are presently as river influence is expected to increase being planned. While planning could over time. These strategies would not begin in the near term, diversion conflict with other restoration strategies. implementation would likely be in the Maximizing land building in Atchafalaya intermediate to long term. Bay in the intermediate term could be planned and implemented to facilitate Barrier island restoration in the the strategic objectives of sediment Terrebonne Basin and protection of the reduction and maintenance of a brackish Rainey Marsh gulf shoreline could be salinity regime in the bays of the Teche- implemented in the near term, before the Vermilion Basin. islands and shoreline deteriorate further. These restoration measures could be Intermediate Term (6-15 years) implemented independently of other strategies and would enhance the This category includes strategies that effectiveness of other restoration require prior implementation of strategies such as maintaining shoreline near-term strategies that would protect integrity and building a new delta lobe in other wetlands and developed areas from the Timbalier Subbasin. increased water levels.

The strategies to maintain bay shoreline The first strategy in this category is to integrity in the Teche-Vermilion and maximize land building in Atchafalaya Terrebonne Basins could be Basin, primarily in Atchafalaya Bay. implemented independently of other Accomplishment of this strategy would strategies. Shoreline integrity likely result in higher water levels in maintenance is not limited to one point Terrebonne wetlands, thereby increasing in time in a 50-year period, but river influence in that area. maintenance as needed over the entire period. Thus, its logical place in Several regional strategies are interrelated sequencing is at the beginning of the hydrologically and involve optimizing 50-year period. These strategies can Atchafalaya River influence to western enhance other strategies or be enhanced and central Terrebonne wetlands. Bank by other strategies. For example, the stabilization along waterways would be dedicated delivery of sediment strategy necessary to improve their efficiency could be a construction alternative for conveying Atchafalaya River water to

110 central Terrebonne. Once in the central There are several common, coastwide marshes, the water could be optimally strategies that could be adopted in distributed to wetlands in the vicinity of Region 3. Banks of navigation channels the Houma Navigation Canal, Lake such as the Houma Navigation Canal Boudreaux, and lower Bayou La Cache. and the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway Establishing multipurpose control of the could be stabilized in all mapping units Houma Navigation Canal would greatly that contain such channels (St. Louis facilitate the management potential of Canal, Terrebonne, Pelto Marshes, Fields river influence in the canal area. and Devil’s Swamps, HNC Wetlands, Avoca, Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, Bank stabilization is also a precursor to Penchant, Mechant de Cade, Wax Lake lowering water levels between the Wetlands, North Wax Lake Wetlands, Atchafalaya River and the central Atchafalaya Marshes, Rainey Marsh, Terrebonne wetlands. Water levels can Cote Blanche Wetlands, and Vermilion be lowered in the weakly tidal, fresh Bay Marsh). In addition, material upper watershed area by distributing dredged during maintenance of these excess water across the ridges to the navigation channels could be used tidal, brackish lower watershed area. beneficially in nearly every unit. These strategies incorporate major hydrologic components of a watershed Bay, lake, and gulf shoreline integrity plan for the western and central could be protected wherever these are Terrebonne wetlands. eroding, and critical areas could be stabilized in an area that includes over Long-Term (16-50 years) two-thirds of the mapping units.

If determined to be feasible, the Bayou Establishing and protecting ridge Lafourche conveyance channel would be functions are important in all units with built in the intermediate or long term. such ridges (North and South Bully Camp, St. Louis Canal, Montegut, Local and Common Strategies Terrebonne Marshes, Boudreaux, Caillou, Avoca, Penchant, Mechant de There are only three local strategies in Cade, Rainey Marsh, Big Woods, Cote Region 3. In all mapping units (Fig. 7-9) Blanche Wetlands, and Vermilion Bay with hurricane or protection levees, the Marsh). In the Verret Wetlands and local strategy is to protect against Fields Swamps, a strategy of routing hurricanes and flooding by maintaining pump outfall through the wetlands could an apron of marshes outside the levees. be adopted. For a detailed list of local In the Wax Lake Wetlands unit, the local and common strategies by mapping unit, strategy is to maintain the Wax Lake see Appendix E. distributaries, for example Hog Bayou. Another Breaux Act project, the Jaws Terracing Project, should be maintained through the year 2050.

111 Pigeon Swamps Assumption Big Cote Blanche West Area Wetlands Chacahoula Swamps Woods St. Mary St. M ary Vermilion Area Area Black Bayou Wetlands Bay Marsh North Avoca Verret Lafourche West Area Wetlands Wax Lake Savoie Wetlands Vermilion Devil's Swamp Bay West Cote Terrebonne Area Rainey Blanche Bay North Houma Ship Marsh Wax Lake Marsh E. Cote Wetlands GIWW Canal Wetlands A

112 Blanche Island t Fields Swamp c x M h Bay u a a a St. Louis Canal r f Penchant s a e h la r e y d North Bully s a e u N d o Wax Lake Ca Camp M arsh Outlet Subdelta /de B ant s Montegut Atchafalaya ech he s y h M r l W E l s Subdelta a r M u Terrebonne a B u lo M il Marshes h Point t a p C u S au Fer Pelto o m Fourleague Marshes S a 10 0 10 20 M ile s Bay C

Isles Dernieres Timbalier Island Region 3 M a ppin g U nit Bou nda ries Shorelines Shorelines

Figur e 7-9. R egion 3 m appin g u n its . Region 4 Strategic Plan Mexico and the Pecan Island/Grand Chenier ridge complex. Drainage can Background occur eastward to Freshwater Bayou Canal, southward to the Gulf of Mexico, Region 4 extends from the western bank and westward to the Mermentau River of the Freshwater Bayou Canal and Ship Channel. westward to the Louisiana/Texas border in Sabine Lake, and from the marsh The Calcasieu-Sabine Basin is a shallow areas just north of the Gulf Intracoastal coastal wetland system with freshwater Waterway south to the Gulf of Mexico input at the north end and a north-south in Vermilion, Cameron, and Calcasieu circulation pattern through Calcasieu and Parishes. Region 4 comprises Sabine Lakes and some east-west water approximately 1,307,000 acres of marsh, movement which occurs through the open water, and chenier habitats. Marsh Gulf Intracoastal Waterway and interior types and their associated acreage across marsh canals (e.g., North Line Canal and the region are: 354,600 acres (45%) of South Canal on Sabine National Wildlife fresh marsh, 171,700 acres (23%) of Refuge). Both lakes are connected to intermediate marsh, 198,600 acres (27%) important shipping corridors and are of brackish marsh, and 33,200 acres (5%) used for recreational purposes as well. of saline marsh. As in the Mermentau Basin, managed wetlands are a significant feature of the Region 4 consists of two basins: the area, with structures in the Cameron- Mermentau and the Calcasieu-Sabine. Creole Watershed, the Sabine National The Mermentau Basin extends from Wildlife Refuge, and on privately owned Freshwater Bayou Canal westward to lands. Highway 27 and is divided into two subbasins along an east-west line in the Habitat Objectives vicinity of the Pecan Island and Grand Chenier ridges. North of this line is the The Region 4 Habitat Objectives for the Lakes Subbasin, whose natural drainage year 2050 were developed by the has been interrupted by many canals and Objectives Development Team the placement of several water control consisting of parish government structures. The subbasin now functions representatives and the local coastal almost like a large freshwater advisory committees of Vermilion, impoundment. Areas immediately to the Cameron, and Calcasieu Parishes. north of the region are used primarily for Generally, the habitat objectives map rice and crawfish farming. The produced by the Objectives Mermentau River, which runs diagonally Development Team reflected a reduction (NE to SW) across the basin, supplies of the salinities of the marsh habitats in fresh water to the basin. Two large lakes, the western and southern areas of Grand and White Lakes, are located in Region 4 (Figs. 7-10, 7-11). The Lakes the Lakes Subbasin. The Chenier Subbasin is presently composed of fresh Subbasin lies between the Gulf of to intermediate marsh. The habitat

113

objective for this area is to convert most (Calcasieu Lock, Leland Bowman Lock, of the area to fresh marsh. The objective Schooner Bayou Control Structure, for the Chenier Subbasin is to convert Catfish Point Control Structure, and the existing saline and brackish marshes Freshwater Bayou Lock). Operation to brackish and intermediate marshes by should strive to reduce the duration of the year 2050. The objective for the marsh inundation during and after Calcasieu-Sabine Basin is to create periods of high rainfall, achieve water fresher conditions by the year 2050. elevations which are conducive to marsh vigor and health inside the lock system, Regional Ecosystem Strategies and allow free outflow of water when inside water levels exceed target water Because of the socioeconomic demands levels and a drainage differential exists. and opportunities which exist in this This strategy is expected to preserve a region, it is not realistic to return to moderate amount of marsh by 2050. “natural” conditions by taking actions such as restoring Calcasieu Pass or 2. Operate existing Calcasieu Lock Sabine Pass to their pre-1900 conditions, specifically to evacuate excess water, filling in the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, after building a new lock on a parallel or filling in the myriad of smaller canals. channel specifically for navigation. The In a manner which accommodates, Calcasieu Lock site is thought to be the better uses, and improves existing best of the existing sites for the infrastructure, the goals of the regional evacuation of excess water. The new strategies for Region 4 are: (1) to lock would allow water evacuation and eliminate adverse hydrologic conditions, navigation to function independently and including elevated water levels and without conflict. Operation goals would extreme salinity spikes, and (2) to be as stated above. This strategy is reestablish or maintain the integrity of anticipated to preserve a moderate major natural landforms. amount of marsh by 2050 by lowering water levels. Restore and Sustain Wetlands 3. Manage watershed to reduce rapid 1. Operate locks to evacuate excess inflows into the Lakes Subbasin . water from the Lakes Subbasin . By Drainage improvements in the lowering water levels in a timely manner, Mermentau River watershed allow water, inundation-related plant stresses could particularly during and after high rainfall be relieved and lake shoreline erosion events, to reach the Lakes Subbasin very could be reduced. In recent years, this quickly, causing elevated water levels. strategy has been partially implemented Without impeding drainage from with some success. Continued and existing developed or agricultural lands, additional benefits could be derived by this strategy would slow the flow of consistently operating structures 24 water, perhaps through incentive hours per day at all five control points programs, catch basins, or stream

116 restoration. This strategy is expected to to create a moderate amount of marsh. preserve a moderate amount of marsh by 2050. 7. Maintain Atchafalaya River water and sediment inflow through the Gulf 4. Move water from north to south Intracoastal Waterway . Presently, across Highway 82 with associated marshes in the Mermentau Basin seem drainage improvements south of to be deriving benefit from the flow of Highway 82. This strategy is two-fold: Atchafalaya River water and sediment to evacuate excess water from the Lakes through the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. Subbasin, and to provide freshwater to The purpose of this strategy is to the Chenier Subbasin. Water could be discourage any curtailment of such flow moved from north to south with a series through the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. of gravity drainage structures and/or pumps along Highway 82. A Salinity Control in the prerequisite for such structures or pumps Calcasieu Basin would be to improve drainage south of Highway 82, perhaps establishing a flow- 8. Salinity control of the Calcasieu Ship through system. This strategy is Channel between the Gulf of Mexico anticipated to preserve a major amount and Calcasieu Lake . Salinity control of marsh by 2050. could be established by installing a gate, lock, or other saltwater barrier. The 5. Restore the connection of the primary goal of this strategy is to reduce original Mermentau River to the Gulf of peak salinities, probably limited to a Mexico and constrict the width and seasonal basis. During nonpeak depth of the Mermentau Ship Channel salinities, navigation would be to its authorized dimensions . The unaffected. Should such control be purpose of this strategy is also two-fold: established, perhaps the need for to allow better drainage of wetlands maintenance and/or intensive operation located along the lower 5 to 7 miles of of lakeside control structures could be the original Mermentau River, and to reduced in the future. This strategy is reduce the intrusion of salt water up the expected to preserve a major amount of Mermentau Ship Channel. This strategy marsh by 2050. is anticipated to preserve a minor amount of marsh by 2050. Salinity Control of the Sabine Basin *

6. Dedicated dredging of sediment for 9. Maintain Sabine River inflow . The wetland creation. This strategy consists primary focus of this strategy is to of dredging material from channels or discourage implementation of the Trans- lakes to create marsh in rapidly eroding Texas Water Plan (TTWP) via proactive units such as Lacassine; Cameron Creole participation, including projection of Watershed; Sweet and Willow Lakes; future conditions, education regarding Big, Brown, and Black Lakes; and South adverse effects, direct opposition to Pecan Island. This strategy is projected TTWP if appropriate, and development

*These strategies apply whether the TTWP is implemented or not, but are an absolute must if the TTWP is implemented. 117 of measures to mitigate the TTWP. Protect Bay and Lake Shorelines

10. Salinity control at Sabine Pass . 14. Stabilize Grand Lake and White Salinity control could be established by Lake shorelines . These two very large installing a gate, lock, or other saltwater lakes are experiencing significant barrier in Sabine Pass. The primary goal shoreline erosion. In many areas the of this strategy is to reduce peak historic shoreline rim is completely lost, salinities, probably limited to a seasonal exposing interior organic soil marshes to basis. During nonpeak salinities, high wave energy. Shoreline navigation would be unaffected. This stabilization should address the ongoing strategy is expected to preserve a direct loss as well as increasing rates of substantial amount of marsh by 2050 by loss for interior marshes which otherwise reducing salinities. would be exposed to wave energy. This strategy is expected to preserve a major 11. Salinity reduction of Sabine Lake at amount of marsh by 2050. the Causeway. Salinity reduction could be accomplished by a sill type structure 15. Stabilize Gulf of Mexico shoreline in that would allow small to medium boat the vicinity of Rockefeller Refuge . With navigation. Large boat navigation a shoreline retreat rate of 35 feet per (barges, ships, etc.) through the Sabine- year, shoreline stabilization is necessary Neches Waterway would be unaffected. to address the direct loss of wetlands. This strategy is anticipated to preserve a This strategy is anticipated to preserve a moderate amount of marsh by 2050. major amount of marsh.

12. Salinity control on the east 16. Stabilize Gulf of Mexico shoreline shoreline of Sabine Lake . The primary from Calcasieu Pass to Johnson’s goal of this strategy is to reduce the Bayou. In addition to the long-term penetration of peak salinities into the threat to interior wetlands posed by interior marshes. This strategy is potential shoreline breaches and expected to preserve a major amount of saltwater intrusion, there is an immediate marsh by 2050. threat to sections of Highway 82 which would be addressed with this strategy of 13. Salinity Control in the Gulf holding the shoreline in its current Intracoastal Waterway east of Sabine position. This strategy is expected to River. The primary goal of this strategy preserve a moderate amount of marsh by is to reduce the flow of high salinity 2050. water eastward from Sabine River, through the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, 17. Maintain Atchafalaya River and into the interior marshes. This mudstream in the Gulf of Mexico . strategy is anticipated to preserve a Presently, certain reaches of the Gulf moderate amount of marsh by 2050. Mexico shoreline in Region 4 are prograding because of the Atchafalaya

118 River mudstream (see Fig. 3-5b). The exacerbate marsh inundation, leading to purpose of this strategy is to discourage increased interior marsh loss. This any curtailment of such a stream in the strategy is expected to preserve a major Gulf of Mexico. amount of marsh by 2050.

18. Restore long-shore sediment flow 21. Prevent the coalescence of Grand across the mouth of Calcasieu Pass. Lake and the Gulf Intracoastal Jetties installed for reducing Waterway. If Grand Lake and the Gulf sedimentation within the Calcasieu Ship Intracoastal Waterway are allowed to Channel have interrupted long-shore coalesce, the north bank of the waterway sediment transport along the Gulf of will be exposed to the fetch of Grand Mexico shoreline. Sediment bypass Lake and water circulation patterns mechanisms would help reduce throughout the Lakes Subbasin will shoreline retreat west of the Calcasieu likely be altered. This strategy is Ship Channel, and could be anticipated to preserve a minor amount implemented as part of Strategy 16 of marsh by 2050. above. This strategy is anticipated to preserve a minor amount of marsh by Sequencing of Regional Strategies 2050. Near Term (1 to 5 years) 19. Restore long-shore sediment flow across the mouth of Mermentau Ship There are four regional strategies that Channel. Jetties installed for the simply call for using existing purpose of reducing sedimentation infrastructure or discouraging future within the Mermentau Ship Channel human activities that may adversely have interrupted long-shore sediment affect wetlands. Implementation of transport along the Gulf of Mexico these strategies by the appropriate shoreline. Sediment bypass mechanisms entities should be pursued immediately. would help reduce shoreline retreat west They include: operating locks to of the Mermentau Ship Channel. This evacuate excess water from the Lakes strategy is likely to preserve a minor Subbasin, maintaining Atchafalaya amount of marsh by 2050. sediment inflow through the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, maintaining 20. Prevent the coalescence of Grand Sabine River inflow, and maintaining Lake and White Lake . Individually, Atchafalaya water and sediment stream Grand Lake and White Lake are in the Gulf of Mexico. Although not presently very large and are experiencing identified as a regional strategy, initiation significant shoreline erosion. If allowed of the Hydrologic Investigation of the to coalesce, the fetch and probably Chenier Plain, funded by the Breaux erosion rates will increase tremendously. Act, should proceed immediately so that Additionally, if the lakes coalesce, water the resulting information can be used to circulation patterns throughout the Lakes design specific projects called for in Subbasin will likely be altered and wind- other strategies. induced water stacking will likely

119 Additional strategies recommended for excess water after building a new the near term include those for which navigation lock on a parallel channel, there is a considerable body of managing the watershed to reduce rapid knowledge; existing, “on-the-ground” inflows into the Lakes Subbasin, projects which can be used to aid in the restoring the connection of the original design of specific projects; and those Mermentau River to the Gulf of Mexico which address an immediate threat to and constricting the width and depth of wetlands or critical infrastructure. These the Mermentau Ship Channel to its strategies include: moving water from authorized dimensions; and salinity north to south across Highway 82 with reduction of Sabine Lake at the associated drainage improvements south Causeway. of Highway 82, salinity control on the east shoreline of Sabine Lake, stabilizing Long Term (16-50 years) Grand Lake and White Lake shorelines, stabilizing the Gulf of Mexico shoreline Because of their magnitude, the need for in the vicinity of Rockefeller Refuge, feasibility analyses, and the potential stabilizing the Gulf of Mexico Shoreline effect on navigation and other uses, the from Calcasieu Pass to Johnson’s following strategies are recommended Bayou, restoring long-shore sediment for implementation in the long term: flow across the mouths of Calcasieu salinity control of the Calcasieu Ship Pass and the Mermentau Ship Channel, Channel between the Gulf of Mexico preventing the coalescence of Grand and Calcasieu Lake, salinity control at Lake and White Lake, preventing the Sabine Pass, and salinity control in the coalescence of Grand Lake and the Gulf Gulf Intracoastal Waterway east of the Intracoastal Waterway, and dedicated Sabine River. If salinity control at dredging for wetland creation. Sabine Pass is feasible and receives funding, salinity control on the Gulf Intermediate Term (6 to 15 years) Intracoastal Waterway would probably not be necessary. Strategies recommended for implementation in the intermediate term Local and Common Strategies are those for which the existing body of knowledge is insufficient to confirm the Hydrologic restoration is a local strategy merit, and/or determine the feasibility recommended for nearly all of the and optimal design. All of these Region 4 mapping units (Fig. 7-12). strategies would benefit from the Local hydrologic restoration strategies information gathered via the Hydrologic involve the use of dams or water control Investigation of the Chenier Plain. structures to restore the altered Furthermore, these strategies would hydrology in the various units. require close coordination with interested user groups. This group of These strategies would reduce saltwater strategies includes: operating the existing intrusion or water levels and/or restore Calcasieu Lock specifically to evacuate tidal flow and fisheries access to the

120 Region 4 Mapping U nit Boundaries

W. Black Perry Choupique Lake Ridge Gum Is land Hackberry Clear Cove Ridge S. W. Marais Gum Cove Calcasieu Cameron- North Prairie Blac k Lake Sweet/W illow Grand Lake Grand Black B Lake East 121 Lake ig Lakes Bayou L a Grand/White k Lac assine e Lake Land Sabine Brown Hog Lake S abine Island Bridge Willow Lake Cameron- Pool #3 Gully B ayou Creole Big Burn Grand Amoco S. E. Sabine West Cove Watershed Lake Second Mud N. W hite Little Loc ust Lake Bayou Lak e Cameron Oak Grove Little Prairie Island Pecan H East Johnson's og B White Lak e Middle ayo u Bayou Johnson's Martin B eac h M arsh Lower Big Sabine Lake N Bayou Ridge Ship Canal Shore Mud Lake Marsh Ridges Rockefeller Grand West S. Pecan Chenier Ridge Johnson's Bayou Island W E S. White 10 0 10 20 Miles Lake S

Figure 7-12 . R egio n 4 mapping u nits. marshes. Freshwater introduction Beneficial use of dredged material is a strategies are found in Little Pecan, strategy which can be applied to any South Pecan Island and Hog Bayou, Region 4 mapping unit which is adjacent where there is a need for, and a source to a major navigation channel such as of, freshwater to counteract the effects of the Calcasieu or Sabine Ship Channels, increased saltwater intrusion (Fig. 7-11). or Freshwater Bayou Canal. The Gulf Maintaining drainage infrastructure is a Intracoastal Waterway crosses the entire local strategy for the Cameron unit. region and is found in 20 of the region’s Maintaining “perched” marshes, where 50 mapping units. Bank stabilization fresher marshes have formed on dredged along the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway is material sites, is a strategy unique to the a necessary common strategy. Choupique Island unit. General shoreline stabilization is a widespread Herbivory control is a common strategy common strategy for nearly every that can be applied to problem areas in Region 4 mapping unit. Region 4, including the Middle Marsh, East Johnson’s Bayou, and Second Terracing and vegetative plantings are Bayou mapping units. For a detailed common strategies that can be applied to matrix of local and common strategies any of the 50 Region 4 mapping units by mapping unit, see Appendix F. that contain substantial areas of shallow open water. This technique has already Costs and Benefits of been applied on two wildlife refuges. Regional Ecosystem The soil conditions in Region 4 are Strategies generally more conducive to terracing when compared to other regions. Region 1 Benefits Maintain ridge function is another common strategy that is applicable to Implementing the regional ecosystem those mapping units with existing ridges strategies would achieve the overarching or cheniers. Vegetative planting, apart goal of Coast 2050: sustaining a coastal from terracing, is a common strategy ecosystem that supports and protects the which can be applied to any mapping economy and culture of southern units which are composed of shallow Louisiana and contributes greatly to the water with little wave action. economy and well-being of the nation. Implementing all of the regional Dedicated dredging has been strategies proposed for the Lake recommended for the Grand and White Pontchartrain Basin is estimated to Lakes Land Bridge and South Pecan prevent approximately 74% of the marsh Island mapping units, but it can be loss across the entire region by 2050, applied to any mapping unit in Region 4 thereby saving 33,500 acres of marsh. which has critical shallow open water The benefits of local and common areas which are in danger of opening into strategies have not been estimated, but it larger lake or bay systems. can be assumed that implementation of some of these strategies could reduce loss slightly more.

122 Implementation of the regional strategies Several of the strategies such as the would have restored the highest Bayou Lafourche conveyance channel practicable acreage, given the constraints and river diversions in Plaquemines placed on Mississippi River diversions Parish, if feasible, would provide by local interests. Vertical accretion in multiple-use benefits. The hurricane this basin would come mainly from protection levees parallel to Bayou small river diversions that provide Lafourche and in Plaquemines Parish nutrients. The marshes that would be will be protected by adjacent marsh. preserved would have the functions and Louisiana Highway 1 will have a strip of values of natural ecosystems. Many of protective marsh to its east. the strategies will provide multiple-use benefits such as providing marsh to The ecosystem objective of vertical protect the New Orleans metropolitan accumulation would be achieved by area. using the Mississippi River nutrients and sediments to increase vegetative plant A good estuarine gradient will be growth and to create and preserve marsh. achieved in Region 1, and there will be Extensive use of Mississippi River water extensive habitat diversity. There will be would accentuate vertical accumulation essentially no barriers to exchange of but reduce the estuarine gradient by energy and materials between the limiting future areas of saline marsh. wetlands and the estuary. This tradeoff is necessary to make opportunistic use of the nutrients and Region 2 Benefits sediments of this river. Sequential operation of future diversions might Implementing the regional strategies reduce the adverse salinity impacts. The would achieve the overarching goal of region would still have habitat diversity Coast 2050: sustaining a coastal from bottomland hardwoods and ecosystem that supports and protects the swamps in the upper end through economy and culture of southern extensive marshes to barrier islands and Louisiana and contributes greatly to the shorelines near the gulf. There would be economy and well-being of the nation. extensive exchange of energy and By 2050, it is projected that there would materials between the wetlands and the be 189,900 additional acres of marsh estuary. compared to what would exist without the strategies. Not only would no net Because of deteriorating marsh loss be achieved in the region, but there conditions, fisheries will diminish would be a 51% gain by the year 2050. dramatically well before 2050 if no The highest practicable acreage would action is taken. While the proposed have been restored. strategies may produce short-term adverse impacts to fisheries, such The marshes created and preserved by strategies are needed to prevent long- these strategies would have the functions term significant decline or collapse in and values of the natural ecosystem. fisheries production. Short-term

123 fisheries impacts would need to be tradeoff is necessary to make addressed to render river-oriented opportunistic use of the nutrients and strategies acceptable. sediments of these two rivers. The region would still have extensive habitat Region 3 Benefits diversity from bottomland hardwoods and swamps in the upper end through Implementing the regional strategies extensive marshes to barrier islands near would achieve the overarching goal of the gulf. There would be extensive Coast 2050: sustaining a coastal exchange of energy and materials ecosystem that supports and protects the between the wetlands and the estuary. economy and culture of southern There is a possibility that this exchange Louisiana and contributes greatly to the could have adverse impacts on floating economy and well-being of the nation. marsh. By 2050, there would be 119,600 additional acres of marsh and 46,700 Region 4 Benefits additional acres of swamp compared to what would exist without the strategies. Implementing the regional strategies No net loss would be achieved in would achieve the overarching goal of swamps and 91% of the predicted marsh Coast 2050: sustaining a coastal loss would have prevented. The highest ecosystem that supports and protects the practicable acreage would have been economy and culture of southern restored. Louisiana and contributes greatly to the economy and well-being of the nation. The marshes created and preserved by these strategies would have the functions The major strategies in the Mermentau and values of the natural ecosystem. Basin involve removing water from the Several of the strategies such as the Lakes Subbasin. These strategies are Bayou Lafourche conveyance channel projected to reduce future loss by 57% in would provide multiple-use benefits to this basin, resulting in an additional communities and infrastructure. The 34,730 acres being present in 2050 when ecosystem objective of vertical compared to no additional restoration accumulation would be achieved by efforts. In the Calcasieu-Sabine Basin, using water and sediment from the major strategies involve controlling Atchafalaya and Mississippi Rivers and salinity. If the TTWP is not by protecting the self-sustaining implemented, and salinity control is wetlands in the Teche-Vermilion system implemented along the lake shore in the from bay and lake shoreline erosion. near term and at Sabine Pass in the long term, the regional strategies are projected The extensive use of Atchafalaya and to reduce the Calcasieu-Sabine Basin Mississippi River waters would loss by 61%, resulting in an additional accentuate vertical accumulation but 24,810 acres being present in 2050. If reduce the estuarine gradient by limiting the TTWP is implemented, regional future areas of saline marsh. This strategies are projected to reduce marsh

124 loss by only 31% in the Calcasieu- regional ecosystem strategies across the Sabine Basin. entire coast is approximately $14 billion.

In this region, there is no significant Benefits of Regional source of sediments. Thus, vertical Strategies accumulation must be achieved to Communities at Risk predominately by the organic production which could take place if excess water As described earlier (Chapter 6), the very can be removed and salinity can be existence of many small coastal controlled. This salinity control would communities is threatened by marsh allow simulation of the historic estuarine loss. The regional strategies described gradient and maintain large areas as fresh above would significantly improve the and intermediate marsh. While the future of these communities. projected exchange and interface in Region 4 may be less than in other South Lafourche Corridor regions, a healthy ecosystem which more closely resembles the historic If the strategies in Region 2 and Region 3 condition and produces the highest are implemented, the South Lafourche practicable acreage would likely exist if Corridor is expected to have more marsh these strategies were implemented. adjacent to it in 2050 than it does today. Water management actions should strive Land can be built immediately with to allow, to the greatest extent dredged material to protect La. Highway practicable but without negative impacts 1. Wave absorbers and preservation of to the ecosystem, detrital exchange and the land bridge will reduce loss to the aquatic organism movement so as to east of the corridor. Then, once the optimize functions and values. The Bayou Lafourche Conveyance Channel regional strategies will provide multiple- is constructed, it will build deltas that use benefits by preserving a band of wrap around both sides of the corridor. marsh adjacent to highways and The regional strategies are anticipated to developed areas. allow the preservation of this vital corridor. Costs New Orleans Metropolitan Area The costs of the regional ecosystem strategies have been roughly estimated. If the strategies in Regions 1 and 2 are The total dollar figure is generally the implemented, the New Orleans present value of construction costs. metropolitan area will have more marsh Maintenance costs are included where adjacent to it than it does today. If maintaining the landform is a vital part of nothing is done, 25% of the marshes the strategy. Monitoring costs are not west of the area will be gone by 2050. If included. No estimates have been made the strategies are implemented, it is for local or common strategies. The estimated that there will be no net loss in approximate cost of implementing all the

125 the La Branche area. There are presently amounts of marsh in the vicinity of extensive marshes stretching east from Cocodrie. Instead of 55% of the the metropolitan area to Chandeleur marshes to the north being gone by Sound. If no more marshes are restored, 2050, only 16% would be lost. To the 41 square miles of these marshes will be east, instead of 64% of the marshes gone by 2050. If the Region 1 strategies becoming open water, only 32% would are implemented, it is anticipated that be lost. The strategies do little for the only 20 square miles of marsh will have marshes to the west, so there would still been lost by 2050. Marshes to the south be about 35% lost. The strategies that of the area also offer protection. If provide most of the benefits are moving nothing is done, 19 square miles just Atchafalaya River water to the lower south of the metropolitan area will be tidal marshes, stabilizing the banks of the lost by 2050. If the Region 2 strategies Houma Navigation Canal, and building a are implemented, only nine square miles control structure in the canal. Once the are expected to be lost. These regional Bayou Lafourche Conveyance Channel strategies will provide significant is built, it will provide significant benefits protection to the New Orleans to the marshes to the east of Cocodrie. metropolitan area by preserving a marsh These strategies will contribute the buffer that should reduce hurricane continued existence of Cocodrie. damage. Holly Beach/Constance Beach Yscloskey Regional strategies in Region 4 are The regional strategies are expected to expected to help reduce marsh loss north prevent some loss of marsh to the north of these communities and will help and east of the community—only 21 protect La. Highway 82. Stabilizing the square miles will be lost instead of 34. gulf shoreline and restoring longshore Stabilizing the north bank of MRGO and sediment flow across the mouth of the shoreline of Lake Borgne should Calcasieu Pass will protect the provide most of these benefits. There communities from direct attack by the are essentially no regional strategies for gulf. These strategies should help the marshes to the south, so there would preserve these beach communities. still be nearly ten square miles lost. Common strategies such as beneficial use of dredged material could, however, restore marshes in this area and help maintain Yscloskey as a viable community.

Cocodrie

The regional strategies for Region 3 are anticipated to preserve significant

126 CHAPTER 8

INSTITUTIONAL ISSUES

A priority in the Coast 2050 planning The purpose as referenced in Section process has been to address institutional 303(b)(2), is as follows: “The purpose of issues, which are issues arising from the restoration plan is to develop a actions such as government funding and comprehensive approach to restore and regulation. There are literally dozens if prevent the loss of coastal wetlands in not hundreds of Federal, State, and local Louisiana. Such a plan shall coordinate programs that can have an impact on and integrate coastal wetlands restoration wetlands. In the past, the efforts made to projects in a manner that will ensure the align these programs toward common long-term conservation of the coastal goals have not been comprehensive, nor wetlands of Louisiana.” have they been uniformly effective. Directing government decisions to a Breaux Act Consistency Requirements common end is an essential step in (P.L. 101-646, Sec. 303(d)(1)) effective restoration. No procedural guidance yet exists for Breaux Act Coordination carrying out the 303(d)(1) consistency requirement. Plans are underway in the Consistency among certain uses of New Orleans District of the USACE to coastal Louisiana’s resources is a develop interim procedural guidance in requirement addressed in the Breaux Act consultation with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Section 303(d). Section 303(d)(1) Service and the U.S. Environmental requires that, “In implementing, Protection Agency. While this guidance maintaining, modifying, or rehabilitating is being implemented within the New navigation, flood control or irrigation Orleans District, the District will work projects, other than emergency actions, with the Mississippi Valley Division to under other authorities, the Secretary, ensure that any USACE activity that U.S. Army Corps of Engineers [USACE] would have an effect on Louisiana’s in consultation with the Director (U.S. coastal wetlands is consistent with Fish and Wildlife Service) and the 303(d)(1). As a minimum, actions Administrator [USEPA], shall ensure covered under this requirement include that such actions are consistent with the planning, constructing, maintaining, purposes of the restoration plan modifying, and rehabilitating any USACE submitted pursuant to this section” project whose purpose is navigation, (“plan” refers to the Louisiana Coastal flood control, or irrigation. Examples Wetlands Restoration Plan of 1993 or include maintenance of existing subsequent revisions of that plan). navigation projects such as the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway or the Mississippi

127 River Gulf Outlet. Ongoing planning 1456. This document, Coast 2050: under the Lower Atchafalaya Basin Toward a Sustainable Coastal Reevaluation Feasibility Study presents a Louisiana, represents such a restoration prime example for application of the plan. Section 303 (d)(1) consistency requirement because of overlap in this The Governor’s request is to be made system between management of flood through the Secretary of Commerce and flows and coastal wetland restoration. processed in accordance with the rules This consistency requirement also applies and procedures pertaining to to any of the above-described actions if amendments to federally approved the project pertains to navigation, flood coastal zone management plans at 36 control, or irrigation within or affecting CFR 923.80-84. Such a request has been Louisiana’s coastal wetlands. made by the Governor of Louisiana in correspondence dated November 28, Breaux Act Restoration Plan/Coastal 1995 (Appendix A). Zone Provision (P.L. 101-646, Sec. 303(d)(2)) Once incorporated into the LCRP, activities of Federal agencies would be Existing procedures of the Coastal reviewed for consistency with the Management Division used in restoration plan pursuant to the Federal implementing Coastal Zone Management Consistency authority granted to the Act Federal Consistency would be State by 16 U.S.C. 1456. This review available to the State for reviewing all would be conducted by using the current federal actions after the Coast 2050 Plan review procedures of the Louisiana is incorporated into the State’s Coastal Department of Natural Resources, Zone Management Program. Coastal Management Division.

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. 3952(d)(2), the Breaux Act Conservation Plan Governor of the State of Louisiana can Implementation Requirements request, and the Secretary of Commerce (P.L. 101-646, Sec. 304) shall approve, the restoration plan described at P.L. 101-646 Section 303(b) In November 1997, the State of as an amendment to the State’s federally Louisiana received federal approval of its approved coastal zone management Coastal Wetlands Conservation Plan, in program. Upon receiving this approval, accordance with Section 304 of the the restoration plan would then be Breaux Act. This document details the incorporated into the Louisiana Coastal State’s ongoing efforts to achieve a “no- Resources Program (LCRP) and all net-loss” of wetlands from all future enforceable policies and mechanisms of development. The plan is based largely the State’s coastal zone management on public education, mitigation of program would be applicable under unavoidable losses, and implementation provisions of the Coastal Zone of State-funded restoration projects and Management Act, 16 U.S.C. Section programs. An advanced data

128 management system has been implemented than the average impact per oil/gas permit. to improve the State’s ability to track Over the reporting period, DNR reported an wetland losses that occur through average annual impact to wetlands of 893 development as well as to track the results of acres based on USACE information. It was mitigation implementation. Within 2 years, noted, however, that the USACE regulates or by mid-2000, the approving Federal these wetland losses and requires agencies must report to Congress whether compensatory mitigation in many cases. It is the plan’s implementation has achieved the estimated that about 200 lost acres per year “no-net-loss” goal. The State was granted a are unmitigated. It is important to recognize reduction from 25% to 15% cost share that little field data exist to verify these obligation on the Breaux Act construction estimates. Through DNR’s implementation projects upon approval of the plan in of its Coastal Wetlands Conservation Plan, December 1997. more exact tracking of wetland losses and gains related to development will be Losses of wetlands resulting from ongoing conducted. Reevaluation of the estimated development present both ecological and losses shown above will occur annually and regulatory complications. Both the USACE mitigation adjustments will be made as New Orleans District and the State of necessary. For more information about Louisiana Department of Natural Resources numbers of permits by activity type, see (DNR) carry out regulatory programs aimed Appendices C-F. at minimizing wetland losses and compensating for unavoidable wetland Beneficial Use of Dredged Material losses. Both agencies have evolving data management systems to track development One activity that is often associated with the in wetlands and mitigation actions to offset State’s consistency program (although not unavoidable losses. It is therefore important exclusively so) is the beneficial use of that both agencies coordinate their activities material dredged to maintain navigation and share pertinent aspects of this channels. Sediment represents one of the information with the Coast 2050 Plan most important resources for building implementation process. wetlands. Dredging activities in Louisiana, including maintenance of Federal navigation During the development of the Louisiana channels and permitted activities in Coastal Wetlands Conservation Plan, DNR Louisiana’s coastal zone, account for the reported on development-related activities in removal and redeposition of 90 to 120 wetlands, based on an account of the number million cubic yards of sediment annually. of permits issued and resulting acreage of Current Federal policy, physical and wetlands disturbed. The 15-year accounting chemical characteristics of the dredged period that started in 1980 showed a material, logistics, and economics limit the dominance of oil and gas activity in terms of beneficial use of this sediment to create permit numbers. It is important to consider and/or restore wetlands. The increased the acreage of wetlands affected by each beneficial use of this dredged material permit. For instance, levee construction or resource must be an integral part of the plan residential subdivision development may to reduce Louisiana’s yearly coastal land impact many more acres under one permit loss.

129 If, however, the cost exceeds the Federal If one assumes a standard water depth of 5 standard or base plan, beneficial use will not feet with an allowance of one foot for be made unless additional funding from some subsidence/compaction, and a usable volume other authority and/or source can be found of material at 40 million cubic yards, one to cover those costs which exceed the base could possibly create about 6 square miles of plan costs. subaerial wetlands each year. The approximate annual loss of wetlands in Through its legislature, Louisiana has stated Louisiana is 30 square miles per year. Thus, its policy with respect to beneficial use of the potential for the beneficial use of dredged material resources in dredged material to address Louisiana’s R.S.49:214.32(F): coastal land loss is significant. “the Secretary (of DNR) shall insure that Beneficial use of dredged material resources, whenever a proposed use or activity as envisioned within the context of the Coast requires that dredging or disposal of five 2050 initiative, can take on any of several hundred thousand cubic yards or more of forms. Beneficial use is any use which any water bottom or wetland within the would protect, enhance, or provide a coastal zone, the dredged material shall platform for the restoration of vegetated be used for the beneficial purposes of wetlands. Such uses could include the wetland protection, creation, impacting of some vegetated wetlands if the enhancement or combinations thereof...” long-term result is the protection or net gain of vegetated wetlands. Examples of additional sources of authority and funding for beneficial use include other Over the last decade there have been USACE authorities, such as Section 204, numerous examples of beneficial use of Section 1135, Section 115, or nonfederal dredged material. The current status of this funds which are provided by local sponsors, effort is described in Appendices C-F including states, local government, port (Dredging Histories for Federally Maintained authorities, etc. Navigation Channels). The USACE and the State of Louisiana have used dredged There are a number of strategies that, when material resources to create over 7,000 acres used either singly or in concert, could lead to of subaerial land which has become the beneficial use of more of this material vegetated wetlands. This usage has occurred resource. Some of these strategies are listed in conjunction with maintenance dredging of below. federally maintained navigation channels, as well as through jointly funded efforts C Seek additional Congressional authority utilizing USACE authorities (e.g., Section and funds to allow USACE to perform 204) matched by the state. more beneficial use during navigation channel maintenance. It has been the USACE’s practice that, as C Seek Congressional assistance to have long as the effort to achieve beneficial use is “Federal Standard/Base Plan” funding within the project’s base plan or Federal formula changed to include beneficial standard cost, the USACE can and will make use. beneficial use of dredge material resources.

130 C Seek Congressional/State authorization authorized restoration projects, improve and/or funding for USACE to construct effectiveness of future restoration efforts, wetlands using dredged material improve the coordination among existing resources. environmental resource programs, or result in actions that may benefit coastal wetlands C Seek funding through the Louisiana State in other ways. Wetlands Authority and/or Breaux Act for a yearly supplement to fund beneficial Coastwide Programmatic use projects, either in concert with Recommendations USACE supplemental funding, or as an “add-on” to maintenance events funded Coordinate mitigation with restoration plan with state/Breaux Act funds. objectives and priorities

C Seek Clean Water Action Plan support During the permitting process, when for increased beneficial use as a means of compensatory mitigation for unavoidable achieving a portion of the 100,000 impacts to coastal resources is being acres/year increase in wetlands that it negotiated, regulatory authorities should, if calls for by the year 2005. within statutory limits, make certain that mitigation plans are consistent with C Seek additional funding for the USACE restoration plan objectives. Compensatory so that the materials currently being mitigation projects have far-reaching placed in ocean dredged material disposal potential for wetland creation, enhancement, sites can be used beneficially and then and protection efforts in the coastal zone, seek de-designation of all those sites. and this strategy is designed to capture this potential. C Seek additional funding and authority to require “compensatory” mitigation for Provide appropriate relocation costs and dredged material not used beneficially adequate flood control for impacts related from maintenance of Federal navigation to wetland restoration projects channels and permitted activities in the Louisiana coastal zone. This strategy is to ensure that wetland restoration projects include, at the outset, Programmatic Strategies provisions to adequately mitigate for potential damages that may be incurred as a During the course of the Coast 2050 result of that project. Flooding impacts, planning initiative, many ideas were both primary and secondary, from wetland suggested by the Regional Planning Teams restoration projects should be anticipated in and the public that are programmatic rather the design phases of those projects. Projects than physical in nature. These concepts were should include specific, detailed provisions to carried through the entire process in a similar address those impacts. For example, if a fashion as the regional and mapping unit river diversion is likely to result in flooding, strategies. They are presented below as avoidance of damages or compensation for recommendations that have the potential to property damages should be included as a improve implementation efficiency of cost of the project. If appropriate, oyster

131 lease issues should be addressed in such practices as forestry, agriculture, accordance with Louisiana’s laws and marinas, urban development, and hydrologic regulations (R.S. 56:432.1 et seq., and LAC modification. 43:I§850-858). Improve land rights Expedite permitting of acquisition procedures coastal restoration projects This strategy involves working with Despite efforts to streamline permitting of landowners to secure rights to build regulated activities in jurisdictional wetlands, restoration projects or to increase acreage of securing the necessary authorizations can be wetland habitats through donations, Federal time-consuming, even for those projects that and State incentive programs, easements, are considered beneficial. Development of etc. additional Federal and State general permits or perhaps special exemptions would reduce Increase wetlands though permitting time and allow beneficial projects incentive-based programs to be implemented in a timely manner. Marsh and swamp acreage could be Impose and enforce wake limits in areas increased by converting unused agriculture where bank erosion caused fields, pastures, and grazing areas to their by wakes is severe original wetland habitats through such efforts as the Wetland Reserve Program, which is This strategy is designed to reduce boat administered by the Natural Resources wakes, thereby decreasing wave energy and Conservation Service. reducing erosion on shorelines and banks. The strategy is to work with enforcement Identify funding sources that match the scale agents and post speed limits on portions of needed to adequately address the coastal waterways most susceptible to erosion. land loss problems in Louisiana

Implement best management practices to This strategy involves determining additional improve wetlands and associated aquatic levels of funding required to adequately habitats and address other offset Louisiana’s coastal land loss and to water quality issues implement appropriate actions to secure such funds. This strategy would entail the coordination with other State and Federal agencies such as Department of Environmental Quality, Prevent the negative effects Department of Transportation and of shell dredging Development, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Soil and Water Shell dredging should be administered in Conservation Commission, Louisiana such a way that environmental damages, Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and including but not limited to wetland effects, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to are avoided or mitigated. implement best management techniques for

132 Mitigate water hyacinth problems Marshes, and Eloi Bay mapping units, to reduce marsh erosion restrictions should be placed on oyster harvesting in the near-shore zone, so that Water hyacinth is an exotic plant that, under extensive reefs might become established in optimal growth conditions, can form floating these areas and protect the shorelines from mats of vegetation that can weigh many tons. erosion, provide shell hash to the system, and When these huge rafts are blown or carried improve water quality. by currents against or onto a bank of emergent wetland vegetation, severe damage The Regional Planning Team identified and ensuing erosion may be sustained. In several tracts where opportunities may exist instances where water hyacinth may be an for the inclusion of additional lands protected important factor in erosion rates, steps as special status areas. These were areas in should be taken to prevent associated Lake Maurepas and Manchac Land Bridge problems from occurring. West mapping units to be considered as National Estuarine Research Reserves; the Develop and support a comprehensive Manchac Land Bridge East to be considered barrier shoreline/island initiative to expedite as an extension of the Joyce and Manchac appropriate actions such as mitigation of Wildlife Management Areas; and the damages and restoration LaBranche Wetlands unit was recommended of these critical areas as an addition to the Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge. Barrier shorelines, headlands, and barrier islands are important for a number of The Tchefuncte River mouth was identified reasons. Therefore, consideration should be as an area where drainage and development given to the formation of an initiative that of marsh lands should be reduced, while the focuses on problems, potential solutions, and Pearl River Mouth was suggested as an area other issues related to these areas. where dredging should be restricted. In the North Shore Marshes, flood control Regional and Mapping Unit measures were recommended to be Programmatic Recommendations coordinated with the Coast 2050 restoration strategies. In addition, a 36-foot draft limit Region 1 was proposed for the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet. In the Lake Pontchartrain mapping unit (Fig. 7-3), water quality improvements were Region 2 suggested, particularly as related to sewer discharge. Three related concerns were also In the Baker and Des Allemands mapping voiced: the desirability of a continued drilling units (Fig. 7-6), the Regional Planning Team moratorium, a continued ban on shell recommended that selective harvesting of dredging, and improved management of fill trees planted in mitigation banks be allowed. material (Appendix C). In the Lake Washington/Grand Ecaille and Bastion Bay mapping units, the Regional The Region 1 Regional Planning Team also Planning Team recommended that the suggested that in the Lake Borgne, Biloxi problem of salinity intrusion be studied,

133 particularly the possibility of intrusion via the of canals be eliminated, directional drilling be hurricane protection levee borrow canal utilized to prevent new development (Appendix D). footprints on the islands, and that mitigation efforts should be directed at restoring the Barrier island restoration and protection was islands. an issue that was deemed to warrant programmatic consideration, e.g., the In Mechant-de Cade, water quality and restriction of sand mining on islands and wastewater management were ridges in the Fourchon mapping unit. In recommended. In Big Woods, the Regional Caminada Bay, it was suggested that Planning Team advocated the protection of alternative sources of sediment, such as red the groundwater recharge area between mud, compost, etc., be considered for Perry and Big Woods from salinity intrusion. restoration purposes. In the St. Louis Canal unit, flood protection was cited as a recommendation, and in the Region 3 Devil’s Swamp mapping unit, levee maintenance and water quality improvement Several programmatic strategies originating were recommended. in Region 3 were moved into the coastwide strategy section due to their widespread Region 4 applicability, i.e., those dealing with shell dredging effects, river water studies, water In Region 4, the Regional Planning Team hyacinth, and a barrier island/shoreline identified a number of programmatic initiative. recommendations, many of which are related to existing hydrologic and salinity problems, In addition, the Regional Planning Team or additional problems considered likely proposed a far-reaching recommendation to should the proposed Trans-Texas Water Plan establish multipurpose control of the Houma become a reality. In general, these strategies Navigation Canal, including freshwater and involve funding and undertaking a study or sediment retention and distribution, salinity studies that would provide the needed control, hurricane protection, and navigation information to accurately anticipate the facilitation. In the wetland area immediately potential effects of a Trans-Texas Water Plan adjacent to the Houma Navigation Canal, it scenario and to develop contingency plans was recommended that there be a wake limit that would mitigate these effects should the established and enforced, that flood Trans-Texas Water Plan happen. protection be established on both sides of the Information is needed concerning the effects canal, and that the Falgout Canal project’s on year-round salinity patterns under various water management plan be amended. The conditions, including drought; and to Field’s Swamp mapping unit (Fig. 7-9) was determine the ramifications of this on another area where wake limits were wetland loss and conversion rates, and suggested (Appendix E). resulting consequences on fish, wildlife, water supply, and other resources. Those In the Timbalier Island Shorelines and Isles mapping units (Fig. 7-12) the Regional Dernieres Shorelines units, the Regional Planning Team suggested may be most Planning Team suggested that new dredging vulnerable to such adverse impacts are Black

134 Bayou, Perry Ridge, South West Gum Cove, any given project may be temporary, with Sabine Lake, Sabine Lake Ridge, Southeast duration being related to that period needed Sabine, Willow Bayou, and West Johnson’s for adjustment to the transition, the issue of Bayou (Appendix F). compensation may arise. Compensation is an issue with the potential to alter project Another major theme in Region 4 is to selection, construction, and operation. maintain the Grand Lake, White Lake, and Consequently, a policy on compensation South White Lake mapping units as low- should be developed. This policy would salinity, fresh-to-intermediate ecosystems, in include whether or not compensation should which water levels and hydroperiods would be extended to commercial harvesters other be controlled so as to reduce wetland loss than those addressed in the currently resulting from extended flooding episodes, proposed Oyster Lease Relocation Program. while at the same time protecting fresh water supplies for agriculture. These areas would Insight can be found by reviewing instances provide limited estuarine access, and of public direct and indirect support of fisheries parameters would be monitored at commercial harvesters. Indirect support key locations. occurs via incentive programs. At least two programs in Louisiana involve indirect Other programmatic strategies include: incentives. The first, Act 164 (R.S. 47:297), addressing the severe bullwhip mortality was enacted to provide a tax credit against problem in the East Johnson’s Bayou and individual income tax for Louisiana gasoline Second Bayou mapping units, maintaining and special fuel taxes paid for operating or ridge functions at Johnson’s Bayou Ridge, propelling any commercial fishing boat. The and restricting sand mining at the Grand second indirect incentive entitles commercial Chenier Ridge mapping unit. In the Little fishermen to receive a Louisiana State sales Prairie mapping unit, it was suggested that tax exemption certificate from the the “wiggles” on the Gulf Intracoastal Department of Revenue and Taxation (R.S. Waterway be straightened out so as to 47:305.20). Both programs require that improve navigation safety and thereby commercial fishing must be the exemption reduce the chances of accident-related certificate holder’s primary source of adverse impacts to wetlands and dependent income. Though not related to a specific resources. In Sabine Lake, the Regional restoration project, such mechanisms could Planning Team suggested that pollution be be a means of compensation. That is, a state reduced by “best management practices.” policy of compensation would not have to be project specific. The policy could use the Compensation Issues established programs in recognition of the statewide approach to restoring wetlands. Abating the loss of wetland functions and Parts of the sales tax exemption removed in values in the future may result in some prior years could be restored. Qualification limited near-term negative impacts. These (licenses) and documentation (tax returns) negative impacts, to the extent they occur, programs need not be created as they are in are most likely to be experienced by people place and familiar to agencies processing using the wetlands for income generation. applications. Though the negative impacts associated with

135 Other Louisiana programs such as the identify and remove bottom obstructions Commercial Fisherman’s Gear Compensation deemed hazardous to both navigation and Program involve direct payments. Damage fishing gear use. This indirect approach may to fishing gear and boats is compensated be suitable for restoration projects if from a state-administered fund. To be governmental policy includes compensation. eligible, applicants must receive 50% or It may not be obstruction removal in the case more of their income from commercial of public projects but the activities could fishing. include: (1) improved navigation aids, (2) improved access via launching ramps, and Compensation programs at the Federal (3) improved aquatic weed control. government level are most often associated with natural disaster recovery efforts. An Both Federal and State agencies have example is the Hurricane Andrew Disaster experience in developing and administering Payments Program to oyster lease holders payment programs with varied purposes for and other commercial fishermen. the commercial fishing industry. Whether or Compensation after natural disasters is not there are prospects of measurable focused on returning the affected businesses damage and an obligation to abate impacts is to operation. Oyster leaseholders received a matter for government to determine. funds from the U.S. Department of Experience with past programs does not Agriculture’s Agricultural Conservation and suggest a specific program. There are Stabilization Service headquartered in components of such programs that must be Alexandria, Louisiana. This program discussed if programs are authorized, included payments to leaseholders as including: compensation for the loss of oysters and removal of debris from oyster reefs. C Establishing a single statewide program Payments were made after leaseholders met or developing programs for each project qualification conditions related to the extent that meets compensation justification of losses. Among the relevant aspects of this criteria, program was the establishment of a threshold below which no payments were received. C Identifying effects to be compensated, That is, damage had to first be demonstrated and then judged to be above the threshold C Establishing qualifications for those prior to payment. eligible,

The program for other commercial fishermen C Identifying project impact areas, i.e., the did not attract many applicants in Louisiana. affected area parallel of the Oyster Lease Other gulf states experienced a similar low Relocation Program, application and subsequent approval rate. The excess funds were distributed to fishery C Establishing criteria for documenting agencies in gulf states for use in programs losses, that could beneficially impact commercial fishermen. The most noteworthy Louisiana program is the use of the Federal funds by the Department of Natural Resources to

136 C Establishing agency procedures and costs associated with verification of claims,

• Establishing the open season period in which applications are received,

C Establishing the length of time in which damage should be compensated, and

C Establishing the source and estimate the amount of funds necessary for direct payment compensation.

137 138 CHAPTER 9

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

One of the challenges of implementing a much to the efforts of coastal plan as ambitious as Coast 2050 is the researchers, technical agency personnel, integration of the latest science and coastal land managers, and other local technology into the detailed planning and participants, but we need to enhance our engineering phases of the resulting capabilities to both manage coastal projects. Often, the planning phases of systems (technology) and to predict major landscape projects across the environmental response to those actions country take many years, during which (science). time new information becomes available and the fundamental rationale of the Research Needs and Improved project is called into question. The Understanding technical and scientific problems identified during a lengthy To fully achieve the ecosystem goals set implementation process can be minimized forth in this plan, a better understanding by ensuring that appropriate research is of ecological and biogeomorphic accomplished and integrated into the processes and functions is needed. planning process and project design. The Critical questions still need answers, such Breaux Act restoration effort has made as—What is the effect on ecosystem strides towards this goal by incorporating sustainability of a seasonal river diversion university scientists into some aspects of that increases the annual range of project selection (e.g., benefits analyses) salinities within the receiving basin? How and planning (e.g., modeling and important to coastal marshes is nutrient feasibility studies), and by allocating input alone vs. freshwater and sediment funds for monitoring for the life of delivery from the river? How does this constructed projects. As implementation vary with marsh type? of ecosystem scale management strategies begins, outstanding scientific Clearly, there are still many restoration and technical questions should be issues in coastal Louisiana that cannot be addressed and monitoring data and resolved without additional research. The restoration-oriented research results research must then be integrated into the should be used in adaptive management refinement of the strategies and the and project planning decisions. revision of the plan. Particular areas needing more research are: The Coast 2050 Plan is based on the current state of knowledge of C Relative contribution of drainage Louisiana’s complex coastal ecosystems. improvements, nutrients and The technical aspects of this plan owe

139 sediment supply in ameliorating the Improved Technologies degradation of cypress-tupelo forests. Restoration Technology

C Genesis of and factors controlling Developments in restoration technology sustainability, sensitivity and are required if the Coast 2050 Plan is to resilience of floating marshes. move forward. The plan recognizes that the resources of fresh water and C Water quality impacts of Mississippi sediments are critical to the sustainability River water diversions through of the coastal ecosystem. Managing coastal wetlands, including the natural flows and directing sediment to potential effects of nutrients on areas of need means manipulating a hypoxia in the gulf and in inshore major river system on an unprecedented receiving areas. Many workers have scale. The engineering design of argued that diversions of Mississippi structures, channels and gates must River water through coastal wetlands advance to facilitate the control of the will result in lower nutrient levels in river’s resources to meet the ecosystem the gulf, and less potential for needs. For areas where fresh water hypoxia to develop. In contrast, and/or sediment are not available, some suggest that diversions into the however, additional techniques for coastal basins with restricted water maximizing vertical accumulation movement may result in an inshore through organic matter production need hypoxia problem. to be developed.

C Factors controlling long-term Another area requiring attention is the vertical accumulation and study of the use of alternative marsh sustainability of the marsh creation materials, such as fiber rolls, surface—the role of storms, the waste fill material, vegetative earth interactions between sediment reinforcement mats, biodegradable wood deposition, organic matter fiber erosion control blankets, accumulation and vertical accretion, biodegradable erosion control mats, sod and the associated variability across reinforcement fabrics, etc. Hard marsh types and coastal structures such as gobi-blocks, silt physiographic settings. fences, and geotextile sheets, which might hold dredged soil in place to allow • Short-term and long-term effects of for vegetative plantings or natural coastal restoration projects on revegetation, also need to be fisheries and wildlife production and investigated. The effectiveness of these distribution, and the relative merits measures in different physical and of the different project types and ecological settings should be determined features employed to these resources. and the information disseminated to all involved in restoration work.

140 Predictive Tools spatial and temporal impacts of the numerous Breaux Act projects on the To effectively use existing knowledge entire ecosystem. and gain the increased understanding necessary to deal with the issues The implementation of the Coast 2050 described above, it is essential that Plan must encompass monitoring at the appropriate predictive tools are ecosystem scale, including spatially and developed. The tools include numerical temporally linked coastwide data for modeling approaches to predicting attributes such as water levels, currents, patterns of water level, salinity, and salinities and suspended sediments, to aid sediment distribution. Hydrologic in planning and to fully assess the rate of models, which specifically encompass progress toward the goal of a sustainable flows across marsh surfaces and through coast. The concept of a coastwide channels and structures, must be monitoring program is being explored by developed. Ecological models must Federal and State agencies; establishment address marsh accretion (mineral and of such a program should be a high organic), nutrient budgets, and soil priority. Analysis of this coastwide data biogeochemical processes. should provide a better understanding of system processes. Information Needs and Database Development A more immediate need is to gather current and accurate bathymetry of water The Breaux Act has one of the best bodies and topography of marshes and developed monitoring programs swamps. In the Barataria-Terrebonne nationwide for wetland projects. National Estuary Program area, the Monitoring funds are routinely allocated determination of surface elevations has for the life of constructed projects and proved to be a useful planning tool, but monitoring plans for each project are the lack of detailed bathymetry remains developed to include statistical designs problematic. A coastwide bathymetry and the use of reference areas. Because and topography survey is essential to of funding constraints, these monitoring project, watershed, and ecosystem efforts are limited to the environmental planning. parameters expected to be affected by the projects and are confined to the area Fundamental databases that describe the immediately affected by a project and an contemporary environment should be adjacent reference area if a suitable one developed in a manner that allows can be located. As more projects are university scientists, agency personnel, undertaken, monitoring databases for land managers, and local interests to some essential variables such as water access and use available information. level and salinity data will cover Such databases should provide access to: extensive areas of the coast. These (1) coastwide data for attributes such as collective data will provide a good water levels, currents, salinities and starting point to assess the cumulative suspended sediments, (2) project-specific monitoring data and evaluations, (3)

141 GIS-based information regarding the C Examine how restoration strategies current status of our coastal systems, can result in benefits outside the especially the bathymetry of water bodies immediate project area. and topography of marshes and swamps, and the current, ever changing, land- In addition, the Lower Atchafalaya River water configuration of our coast, and (4) Reevaluation Study has involved data GIS-based information regarding collection which has greatly increased infrastructure so that landscape our understanding of delta building and restoration planners can readily marsh rejuvenation using fresh water and determine the location of oil and gas suspended sediment. It is essential that pipelines, roads, levees, etc. such approaches be pursued as the Coast 2050 ecosystem scale strategies are Integration of Science and refined by feasibility analyses into Technology—Examples projects.

Three feasibility studies currently The Coast 2050 Science and underway have already demonstrated the Technology Challenge value of combining talents in research, engineering, and planning to develop the Participants in the Coast 2050 planning information essential to major public process have enough understanding of works programs. The Barrier Shoreline coastal Louisiana and its problems to Feasibility Study, Phase 1, and the develop the strategies presented in this Mississippi River Sediment, Nutrient and plan and know that the strategies can Freshwater Redistribution Study were address some important issues. The both funded by the Breaux Act in 1996 in challenge is to fill in the gaps of response to a call from the Governor of information, understanding, and the State of Louisiana for the technology so that the presented examination of system-scale restoration strategies can provide their potential strategies. In addition, the USACE in benefit to the coast. To meet that response to flood control problems challenge, (1) mechanisms to fund a within the Atchafalaya Basin and coastal coordinated program of coastal communities has funded the Lower investigations to understand the longer Atchafalaya River Reevaluation Study. term dynamics of the system must be These studies represent a step forward developed, (2) research and for coastal restoration planning in demonstrations that specifically advance Louisiana because they: restoration technology must be conducted, (3) usable databases must be C Include input from active researchers, developed, and (4) mechanisms to integrate research results into the C Use predictive modeling approaches planning and design of restoration to understanding process dynamics, projects must be developed. and

142 CHAPTER 10

REALIZING THE GOAL: PRINCIPLES FOR IMPLEMENTING THE COAST 2050 PLAN

Development of a detailed agenda for projects are quickly planned, implemented implementing the Coast 2050 Plan is the and operated effectively. The second is next important step in the Coast 2050 the extent to which regulatory and Program. The implementation program infrastructure programs are quickly and will be designed in 1999 and will be effectively aligned toward the Coast 2050 based on the principles set forth below. restoration goals. To move forward in the campaign to ensure sustainability of Louisiana’s Action Items: valuable coastal resources, challenges that presently delay project construction C Ensure that existing Breaux Act funds must be embraced and solved. are directed towards strategies included in the Coast 2050 Plan. The Some important issues will emerge as Breaux Act Task Force has already detailed planning is undertaken. The taken steps in this direction by Breaux Act process and the ongoing ensuring that the next Priority Project efforts of the State of Louisiana and List considers Coast 2050 strategies. private landowners to restore the coast have already shown that there are some C Initiate review of regulatory programs issues that need immediate attention. to determine specific modifications Some of these problems have been needed to enhance implementation of highlighted here. It has not thus far been Coast 2050 strategies. the goal of the Coast 2050 planning effort to resolve these issues; rather, the Long Term purpose here is to point to the action items most critical to successful The Coast 2050 Plan seeks to provide the implementation of the Coast 2050 maximum productive acreage and ecosystem strategies. productivity from the coastal ecosystem. In the long-term, success will be measured Measures of Success by the quantity, diversity, and quality of wetland acreage, and the resulting benefits Short Term from various services to Louisiana and the nation. These benefits include protection In the short-term, the success of the against storms and floods, production of Coast 2050 Plan will be measured by two fisheries and wildlife resources, protection things. The first is the extent to which a of water supply and wastewater large number of strategic restoration assimilation capacity, and support to

143 activities such as oil and gas The large increase in effort is required development, navigation, and because the current program will address ecotourism. only 22% of the land loss problems. The strategies put forth in Coast 2050 are Action Item: larger, more ambitious, more productive, and more costly than projects that can be C Develop a coordinated approach to funded under the current program. The evaluation of ecosystem value and cost increase also reflects the fact that restoration including, but not limited most small, inexpensive projects that to, wetland acreage, measures of contribute to restoration have already secondary productivity, biodiversity been funded. The implementation effort indices, and population/infrastructure must emphasize steps needed to put development. large, strategic projects on the ground.

These measures—strategic projects, Action Items: regulatory reform, and wetlands benefits—will be the focus of the C Identify potential funding implementation effort. mechanisms for key ecosystem strategies and embark upon Scale of Success preliminary reconnaissance studies to provide the information required by The strategies set forth in this plan those mechanisms. constitute the nation’s (and world’s) largest and most ambitious program of C Quantify the resources and identify ecosystem restoration. One measure of the source of cost-share funds and the scale of this undertaking is to services. compare the investment that is now being made in coastal restoration to the Ingredients for Success amount of funds needed to accomplish Coast 2050. Coastal Louisiana is on the verge of ecosystem collapse. With that collapse Construction aspects of the Coast 2050 comes an immeasurable cost to human Plan would likely require spending $14 communities and the national economy. billion or more over the next 30 years. Thus, the implementation plan must The current Breaux Act program invests provide a fast track to substantial less than 10% of that amount, which is a accomplishments, if we expect to reach primary reason why it can achieve only the overarching goal of a sustained limited and localized restoration benefits. coastal ecosystem that supports and Thus, Coast 2050 envisions at least a protects the regional and national tenfold increase in the effort that will economy. There are four essential be made to restore Louisiana’s coastal foundation blocks for successful wetlands. restoration. Getting each in place quickly will be the primary objective of the implementation program.

144 Commitment Action Item:

Coast 2050 cannot succeed unless there C The State and its Federal partners must is a public will to achieve large-scale demonstrate their commitment by restoration. The Breaux Act program directly supporting programs to increase was born from a fundamental the knowledge base, develop the commitment on the part of Louisiana predictive tools, and make the citizens and their representatives that technological advances necessary to coastal restoration is among the highest implement Coast 2050 strategies. of society’s priorities. A substantially enlarged program will require these same Process citizens and representatives to renew and expand their commitment. The Decisions on specific Coast 2050 actions commitment must be shared at the will require a planning and implementation national level. process that has extensive public involvement and effective incorporation of Action Item: public values. This process must integrate the restoration program into the entire C The State of Louisiana must show its fabric of coastal activities and must ensure legislative and fiscal commitment to that restoration is accomplished with ecosystem sustainability and impacts on coastal communities and the challenge the Federal government to coastal economy that are acceptable, or that respond. are dealt with equitably through compensation and other programs. Knowledge Action Item: The unprecedented scale of action that is envisioned by the Coast 2050 Plan will C Impediments to the implementation of test our ability to understand, predict, restoration projects such as and manage the effects of restoration determination of land ownership, actions on coastal ecosystems. It will be resolution of surface-mineral rights imperative to support the Plan through conflicts, compensation for damages an extensive program that acquires data and access to public resources must be on coastal resources and processes, that more efficiently addressed. interprets these data through state-of- the-art hydrologic and ecological Resources models, that develops safety net features to address risks and unintended Finally and perhaps most fundamentally, consequences, and that applies the implementing Coast 2050 will require a results of our knowledge through large increase in resources directed at adaptive management of restoration coastal restoration. These include funding projects and activities. that is at least 10 times greater than now available to put the key strategies on the ground and the personnel needed to plan, develop, build, and manage large-scale projects and to streamline regulatory programs. Without such funding, the

145 coast will be lost. landscape before it is too late. Lessons learned in this process need to be used to Urgency of the Coast 2050 Plan make future planning and implementation efforts more effective. All Action must be fast. The Coast 2050 elements of the Coast 2050 Plan cannot Plan was developed over 18 months and be implemented within five or even ten involved hundreds of people. The years, and a detailed implementation plan commitment of the public to this plan is still needs to be developed. However, based on the expectation that it will there are many issues which local, State, make a difference in the coastal and Federal interests can address immediately. Without the commitment to take these first steps, the Louisiana coastal ecosystem will collapse. The need for action is clear. The time for action is now.

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White, R. 1998. Vice President of Business Development, Edison Chouest Offshore. Personal Communication. 8/11/98.

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