Louisiana is facing a land loss crisis. Since 1932, our state has lost more than 1,800 square miles of land, roughly the size of the state of Delaware. This loss continues today at the alarming rate of a football fi eld every hour.

Over time, the natural processes that once built and maintained this vital Natural and man-made landscape have been disrupted. The causes of land loss land-building and sustaining role of Levees the Mississippi River was cut o by levees. The important balance between Oil, Gas & Navigation Canals Saving Coastal fresh and salt water was altered by Compaction and Sinking the dredging of canals and rising Sea Level Rise sea levels, killing many freshwater Louisiana: Hurricanes wetlands. Combined, these changes not only destroyed existing wetlands, BP Oil Spill but also left remaining marshes and Invasive Species communities more vulnerable to the Employing a Suite of impacts of hurricanes and storms. Restoration Solutions With so many causes behind the land loss crisis, a variety of coastal restoration strategies are needed for e ective restoration — there is no single solution. When restoration projects are strategically planned and operated together, they are more e ective. Employing the full suite of restoration tools available allows land to be built and maintained in a way that surpasses the benefi ts of any single project operating alone. To understand the combined e ects of di erent types of restoration projects, it is important to understand the individual project benefi ts and their limitations.

To learn more please visit: www.MississippiRiverDelta.org some parts of the coast to support projects and increase the land-building protection to nearby communities and be sustained over time. Oyster reef habitat for a variety of fi sh and wildlife. and sustaining benefi ts of sediment help prevent saltwater intrusion into restoration can also reduce erosion Sediment diversions and hydrologic restoration. freshwater wetlands. These forests on marsh creation and barrier island Limitations: This type of project is not also provide a unique habitat and are restoration projects. Diversion expected to build signifi cant amounts important stopover spots for migratory of new land, but it is expected to birds. Description: Sediment diversion prevent future loss. projects mimic nature’s historic land- Marsh Limitations: The construction of this building by using the power of the river Working in tandem with other projects: Creation project type is limited to the sites of to move sediment and fresh water into Hydrologic restoration projects can historic ridges. nearby basins. help maintain optimal salinities needed Description: Marsh creation projects for the success of oyster barrier reef use sediment from the Mississippi River Working in tandem with other projects: Benefi ts: This project type can build projects, as well as marsh creation or nearby water bottoms to build land Ridge restoration projects can work new land. In addition, sediment projects dominated by freshwater in shallow open water areas, typically with hydrologic restoration projects diversions are critical for nourishing plants and trees. where land has recently been lost. to re-establish historic salinities within and helping sustain the existing the basin, reduce shoreline erosion wetlands by increasing their resistance Benefi ts: Marsh creation projects can of marsh creation projects and trap to and recovery from storms and sea build land quickly and address the sediment from sediment diversions to level rise. These created and sustained urgent need to help bu er nearby help build more land, more quickly. Shoreline wetlands can provide wildlife and communities from storms. fi sheries habitat and storm surge Protection protection to communities. Limitations: Marsh creation alone is not Description: Shoreline protection a long-term sustainable solution for projects are narrow “walls” made of Limitations: Sediment diversion land loss. These projects are designed rock or similar material placed along projects immediately begin providing and built several feet higher than shorelines of lakes, bayous and open sediment to help sustain existing natural wetlands, because the project is bays. wetlands, but may take longer to expected to sink with time. In addition, build visible land in open water areas this created marsh will be exposed Salinity is the concentration Benefi ts: This project type can compared to other types of restoration to the factors that caused the original of salt in water and is often signifi cantly reduce the rate of erosion projects. marsh to be lost, and it will eventually be reported in parts per thousand of the wetlands and shorelines they Barrier Island lost as well. (ppt). Salinity levels can span protect. Working in tandem with other projects: Restoration from 0 ppt (fresh water) up to Sediment diversions are long-lived Working in tandem with other projects: Limitations: The area benefi ted by 35 ppt (the Gulf of Mexico). projects that accrue benefi ts to the Description: Barrier island restoration This project type can be built in Oyster Reef this project type is often limited to environment over time and provide a projects use sand to rebuild and combination with sediment diversions the shorelines and wetlands in the An estuary is a body of water source of sand and mud to increase restore barrier island beaches and to help trap sediment from the diversion Restoration immediate area. These projects often where a freshwater river and enhance the lifespans, stability and dunes. to build land more quickly. Sediment Description: Oyster reef restoration require frequent maintenance. long-term benefi ts of nearby marsh diversions can in turn benefi t marsh or stream meets and mixes projects use natural and man- creation, barrier island restoration and Benefi ts: These projects create creation projects by providing a long- with salty ocean water. They made materials to encourage the Working in tandem with other projects: ridge restoration projects. or enhance important wildlife and term source of sediment that can help are commonly found along establishment of oysters to create living Shoreline protection projects can help shorebird habitat and serve as the lengthen their lifespans. coastlines and are some of the shorelines. maintain existing wetlands as new land fi rst line of defense against storms for most productive ecosystems is built through marsh creation and communities. In addition, these islands Benefi ts: Oyster reef projects can on earth. An estuary typically provide a natural barrier between sediment diversions. reduce waves on adjacent wetlands, contains a range of salinities - Hydrologic salty Gulf waters and the salt-sensitive thereby reducing erosion. Additionally, from 0 ppt near the source of wetland plants behind the islands. Restoration Ridge oyster reef projects can help improve fresh water to 35 ppt near the They also shelter these wetlands from water quality, provide habitat for fi sh open ocean. Description: Hydrologic restoration erosion by waves and storm surge. Restoration projects restore fresh water fl ows and can naturally maintain themselves Description: Ridge restoration projects through man-made channels or use over time. The plants and animals of an Limitations: Due to their constant use sediment to restore historic ridges. gates, or similar structures, to reduce exposure to waves and storms and the estuary each have di erent A ridge is a strip of land, usually a Limitations: The balance of fresh or prevent saltwater intrusion. scarcity of nearby sand sources, these tolerances to salinity. Some remnant of the bank of an abandoned and salt water needed for oyster reef projects can have short lifespans and plants and animals can only bayou or stream. Ridges are elevated restoration limits where these projects Benefi ts: This project type decreases require regular maintenance. survive in parts of the estuary above the marsh surface and typically can be implemented. salinity, preventing the die-o of populated with trees. where salinity is very low, some freshwater plants and trees that are Working in tandem with other projects: Working in tandem with other projects: do better at higher salinities, essential to preserving the structure By bu ering other projects against Benefi ts: This project type restores Oyster reef restoration projects and some need a salinity that and function of many marshes and waves, storms and saltwater intrusion, important habitat that is high and dry can benefi t from nearby hydrologic falls between freshwater and swamps. These projects also maintain barrier island restoration projects can enough to support native trees and restoration projects, creating conditions lower salinity conditions needed in increase the lifespan of marsh creation saltwater. plants. Ridges can provide storm surge favorable for oysters to fl ourish and