Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation Non-Profit Org US Postage P.O. Box 6965 PAID Metairie, LA 70009-6965 Metairie, LA Permit No. 762 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Annual Report 2010 Visit us at www.saveourlake.org Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation Board Members Robert J. Lambert, Chair – Jefferson Parish Barbara Barnes, Vice- Chair – St. Tammany Parish Chris Holmes, Secretary/Treasurer – St. Bernard Parish Dwight Williams, Member-at-Large – Tangipahoa Parish Mike Algero – Dept. of Environmental Quality Greg Ducote – Dept. of Natural Resources Carlton Dufrechou – Orleans Parish Judy Fosco – Orleans Parish James B. Johnston, Ph.D. – St. Tammany Parish Gorden LeBlanc – Dept. of Health & Hospitals Brian Lezina – Dept. of Wildlife & Fisheries Edgar Veillon - Jefferson Parish Staff Anne Rheams – Executive Director John Lopez, Ph.D. – Coastal Program Director Sheila Ehren Englert – Development & Outreach Director Andrea Bourgeois–Calvin, Ph.D. – Water Quality Program Director Ronny Carter – Waste Water Technician Chelsea Core – GIS Specialist Linda Delaney – Program Office Manager Maggie Penfold-Scalise – Business Manager Will Pestoff – Water Quality Specialist Joey Rando – Membership & Event Coordinator Part Time Staff Andrew Baker – Coastal Program Assistant Ezra Boyd – Coastal Program Assistant JoAnn Burke – Education Coordinator Rebecca Cope – Environmental Specialist Mary Davis – Monitoring Assistant Brooke Englert – Development Assistant Steve Gorin, Ph.D. – Project Development Director Theryn Henkel – Coastal Program Assistant Leah Latiolais – Monitoring Assistant Erin Schayot – Event Assistant Hazel Turlington – Executive Assistant General Counsel Stephen K. Conroy Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation’s Mission As the public’s independent voice, the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation is dedicated to restoring and preserving the water quality, coast, and habitats of the entire Lake Pontchartrain Basin. Through coordination of restoration activities, education, advocacy, monitoring of the regulatory process, and citizen action, the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation works in partnership with all segments of the community to reclaim the Basin for this and future generations. The Lake Pontchartrain Basin The Lake Pontchartrain Basin is one of the largest, contiguous estuarine systems on America’s Gulf Coast. This 10,000 square mile watershed covers all of southeast Louisiana or about 20% of the state’s area. Its habitats and topography are diverse. They range from rolling woodlands in the north to freshwater cypress swamps near the Basin’s center to saltwater marshes and barrier islands along its Gulf Coast. At the Basin’s heart is the 630 square mile Lake Pontchartrain. Although named a lake by the explorer Iberville, technically Lake Pontchartrain is a bay or estuary. This is an area where the fresh waters from rivers meet the salty waters from the sea. Typically, these are the most productive areas on Earth. The Basin encompasses 16 parishes, including Louisiana’s two fastest growing parishes, as well as the New Orleans and 2010 Expenses Baton Rouge metropolitan areas. It is home to two million people Lighthouse or 40% of the state’s population. $ 20,734 Management 1% $ 233,679 Over 1.5 million residents live 15% immediately around Lake Pontchartrain, making it the most densely populated area Fundraising of Louisiana. Membership Other $ 304,658 Restoration 19% Scientific Fiscal Year 2010 Summary $ 1,052,548 65% Operating Expenses Management 233,679 Fundraising/Membership 304,658 Restoration/Scientific 1,052,548 2010 Income Lighthouse 20,734 Lighthouse Total Expense 1,611,619 $ 104,323 7% Fundraising Operating Income Membership Fundraising/Membership/Other 516,439 Other Non-Federal Grants 520,418 Federal Grants $ 516,439 $ 403,603 33% Federal Grants 403,603 26% Lighthouse 104,323 Total Income 1,544,783 Operating Net Loss (66,836)* * NOTE: Due to the Back to the Beach Festival being rained out, we had a loss of operational funds. Non-Federal Grants This does not include Lighthouse fundraising which carries over to 2011. $ 520,418 The reported financials are preliminary and without an external audit. The yearly 34% certified audit is underway and will be available upon request. To Our Sponsors, Members, and Volunteers, 2010 was another test of our community, our spirit and our commitment. The specter of our coast awash in black oil from the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill was a painful reminder that our coast, lakes, and waterways are vulnerable and vanishing. The flow of oil seemed interminable through the spring and summer. We saw tragic failures of technology. However, we also saw an enormous outpouring of local and national concern for south Louisiana relating to our fishing traditions, our wildlife, our diminishing wetlands, even our emblematic state bird – the brown pelican. Our dedication is unwavering. We hope that these recent events will have a silver lining, ensuring new funding desperately needed by our state to keep our waterways clean and to restore our coast. Looking through the following pages, you will see that through so much community support LPBF is again persevering. We are grateful to all the generous donors, tireless volunteers and amazing citizens who have supported LPBF in allowing us to continue to serve the residents of the Pontchartrain Basin. The Staff Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation 2010 Accomplishments Water Quality Programs to improve and sustain water quality • Partnered with the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality and St. Tammany Parish to produce a “Watershed Protection Plan” (WPP) for the Bogue Falaya and its tributary, the Abita River. This plan will guide activities to improve water quality into the future. • Began testing for many new water quality indicators, including a suite of nutrients, in the Bogue Falaya and Abita Watersheds. • Utilized a Geographic Information System (GIS) program to extensively research and map pollution sources in the watersheds and (along with the water quality monitoring) guide the production of the WPP. • Continued to have the most comprehensive water quality program in Louisiana. LPBF has sampled and tested water quality at over 50 sites, collecting over 7,500 samples since 2001. • Worked to locate sources of pollution in Lake Pontchartrain rivers, bayous, and streams and provided the technical assistance to eliminate it. Over 800 businesses and homes and several municipalities have benefited from this assistance since 2002. • Provided weekly recreational water quality reports for television, radio, newspapers, and the LPBF website. • Resulted in quantifiable water quality improvements in 12 rivers, bayous, and streams. Habitat Protection Programs to restore and protect essential habitat • Provided technical assistance to citizens on regulatory, land use, and conservation issues. • Commented on wetland, water quality, and coastal permits throughout the Pontchartrain Basin. • Worked on development issues such as dredging and filling of the Lake and the filling of wetlands along the Tchefuncte River for residential developments. Coastal Restoration Programs to restore and protect coastal areas • Led efforts for completion of the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet Restoration Plan. • Participated in BP Oil Spill Commission Planning. • Participated in oil spill response as technical advisor. • Conducted on-water oil reconnaissance for the BP oil spill. • Reported oil entering Lake Pontchartrain. • Coordinated oil spill modeling with the University of New Orleans. • Participated in US delegation to the Netherlands with Senator Mary Landrieu. • Completed new monitoring study of artificial reef sites in Lake Pontchartrain. • Multiple Lines of Defense Strategy included in Council for Environmental Quality’s LA/MS Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Working Group Road Map. • Participated in the Framework Development Team for the new State Master Plan (2012). • Conducted a workshop on the Hammond Wastewater Assimilation Project. • Completed a hydrologic (delta management) study of the Mississippi River. • Conducted cypress planting on the Caernarvon Delta at Big Mar. New Canal Lighthouse Museum & Education Center for the Pontchartrain Basin • Hosted multiple fundraising and education events at the renovated education building. • Continued the Brick Campaign for the Lighthouse. • Raised enough funds to construct the Lighthouse. • Completed the architectural drawings to construct the Lighthouse. • Began soliciting bids from contractors to build the Lighthouse. Education/Outreach Programs to educate the public about the ecosystem • Provided information to over 100,000 citizens and students through presentations, field trips, events, and meetings. • Directed educators to our website for online copies of our second edition of LPBF’s award-winning Lessons On the Lake: An Educator’s Guide to the Lake Pontchartrain Basin. • Continued our Coastal Crew Volunteer Program training 12 new volunteers to represent LPBF at events. • Partnered with the American Red Cross, Tulane University and the Ashley Marie Kelly Foundation to conduct a swimming program for 281 adults and children. • Answered citizens’ questions about habitat, land use, and water quality issues. • Continued publication of the Basin Bulletin, an on-line newsletter that provides updates on Pontchartrain Basin Programs. • Produced and distributed a new periodic magazine/newsletter, “Lake and Coast”. • Coordinated schools participating in our volunteer Water Watch student- monitoring program. • Coordinated over