*** FINAL *** COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM UPDATE TO THE THE PLAQUEMINES PARISH COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM PLAQUEMINES PARISH DEPARTMENT OF COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE/ PLAQUEMINES PARISH PROJECT NO. F12AF70162 EVANS-GRAVES ENGINEERS, INC. PROJECT NO. 2011-21-770 Prepared by: EVANS-GRAVES ENGINEERS, INC. In Association with GCR, INC. One Galleria Boulevard Suite 1520 Metairie, LA 70001 (504) 836-8190 September 2013 Table of Contents Title Page ............................................................................................................................. i List of Figures .................................................................................................................... xi List of Tables .................................................................................................................... xii Chapter 1. Summary of Local Coastal Zone Management (CZM) Program .................. 1-1 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 1-1 Environmental and Socio-economic Setting ........................................................ 1-3 Plaquemines Parish Strategic Implementation Plan ............................................ 1-8 Coastal Master Plan ........................................................................................... 1-11 Master Plan’s approval in 2012 ......................................................................... 1-12 Resource User Conflicts .................................................................................... 1-12 Local Coastal Zone Management Program ........................................................ 1-15 Coastal Use Permits ........................................................................................... 1-27 Local CUP Procedure ........................................................................................ 1-32 Compensatory Mitigation .................................................................................. 1-30 Local Enforcement & Monitoring ..................................................................... 1-35 Project Completion Notice ................................................................................. 1-35 Violations .......................................................................................................... 1-35 Special Area Management ................................................................................. 1-35 Chapter 2. Environmental Setting ................................................................................... 2-1 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 2-1 Geology ................................................................................................................ 2-3 Fault Movements and Subsidence ...................................................................... 2-7 Soils.................................................................................................................... 2-10 Climate ............................................................................................................... 2-11 Hydrology .......................................................................................................... 2-12 Hydrologic Processes ................................................................................... 2-12 Hydrologic Modification ............................................................................. 2-14 The Barataria Estuary .................................................................................. 2-15 The Breton Estuary ...................................................................................... 2-16 Mississippi River Delta ................................................................................ 2-17 Vegetation and Habitat Change ......................................................................... 2-18 Wildlife and Fisheries ........................................................................................ 2-25 Avifauna ............................................................................................................. 2-26 Game Mammals and Reptiles ............................................................................ 2-30 Fish and Invertebrates ........................................................................................ 2-31 Threatened and Endangered Species ................................................................. 2-35 Cultural Resources ............................................................................................. 2-36 Public Infrastructure and Services and Recreation Facilities ............................ 2-37 Transportation .............................................................................................. 2-37 Utilities ......................................................................................................... 2-39 ii Sewage and Solid Waste Disposal ............................................................... 2-39 Recreational Facilities .................................................................................. 2-40 Land Use (Uplands/Fastlands, Transitional Areas, Wetlands) .......................... 2-41 Uplands/Fastlands ........................................................................................ 2-41 Transition Areas ........................................................................................... 2-41 Wetlands ...................................................................................................... 2-42 Potential Unique and Particular Areas ............................................................... 2-42 Chapter 3. Socio-economic Setting and Projected Growth ........................................... 3-1 Demographics ...................................................................................................... 3-1 Economic Sectors and Potential Expansion ......................................................... 3-3 Existing and Projected Land Use ......................................................................... 3-4 Future Social and Economic Conditions.............................................................. 3-6 Chapter 4. Environmental and Socio-economic Issues Affecting Coastal Resources .... 4-1 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 4-1 Environmental Problems Leading to Resource Use Conflicts ............................. 4-1 Chapter 5. Overview of Federal and State CZM Programs ............................................ 5-1 Federal.................................................................................................................. 5-1 State...................................................................................................................... 5-4 Chapter 6. Goals, Objectives, Policies, and Environmental Management Units (EMUs) .......................................................................................................... 6-1 Parish-wide Coastal Management Goals and Objectives ................................... 6-1 Environmental Management Units (EMUs) ........................................................ 6-1 American Bay .................................................................................................... 6-13 Location and Area ........................................................................................ 6-13 Geology and Soils ........................................................................................ 6-13 Vegetation and Habitat Change ................................................................... 6-13 Fish and Wildlife Resources ........................................................................ 6-14 Hydrology and Flooding Potential ............................................................... 6-14 Land Use and Transportation Infrastructure ................................................ 6-14 Unique Ecological Features ......................................................................... 6-15 Resources and Resource Users .................................................................... 6-15 Cultural Resources ....................................................................................... 6-15 EMU Goals .................................................................................................. 6-16 EMU Objectives........................................................................................... 6-17 EMU Policies ............................................................................................... 6-19 EMU Priorities of Use ................................................................................. 6-20 Baptiste Collette ................................................................................................. 6-20 Location and Area ........................................................................................ 6-20 Geology and Soils ....................................................................................... 6-20 Vegetation and Habitat Change ................................................................... 6-20 Fish and Wildlife Resources ........................................................................ 6-21 Hydrology and Flooding Potential ............................................................... 6-21 iii Land Use and Transportation