Integrated Ecosystem Restoration and Hurricane Protection: Louisiana’s Comprehensive Master Plan for a Sustainable Coast

Agenda Coastal Louisiana is unique. The Master Plan is Louisiana’s framework for sustainability. The Master Plan is comprehensive and innovative. The Master Plan is unprecedented.

Coastal Louisiana is unique.

Landscape at Risk

Assets at Risk Largest fishery in Lower 48 States A significant role in reducing hypoxia problems in the northern Gulf of Mexico Nearly one-third of the nation’s oil and gas supply originates or is transported through coastal Louisiana Connected to nearly 50% of nation’s refining capacity Largest port complex (by tonnage) in the world

Communities at Risk At risk from a storm that has a 1% chance of occurring in any given year: –Over 430,000 residences –Potential economic consequences of $34 billion coastwide At risk from a storm that has a 0.2% chance of occurring in any given year : –Over 871,000 residences –Potential economic consequences of $157 billion coastwide

The Master Plan is Louisiana’s framework for sustainability.

"Scene at the Signing of the Constitution of the United States" by artist Howard Chandler Christy

Reduce Risk to Economic Assets Courtesy of Shirley Laska, CHART, UNO Courtesy of USACE

Restore Sustainability to the Coastal Ecosystem Caernarvon Diversion Clay deposition on organic marsh surface

Maintain a Diverse Array Habitats for Fish and Wildlife

Sustain Louisiana’s Unique Heritage and Culture Scott Russell

Technically Sound, Publicly Acceptable Maximized use of available information by partnering with other planning efforts –USACE –Louisiana Recovery Authority Incorporated findings of technical evaluations of system performance. Provided opportunities for intense stakeholder and public engagement Incorporated rigorous scientific and technical participation and review –Interdisciplinary Technical Team –Science and Engineering Review Team –Louisiana Coastal Area Science Board

The Master Plan is comprehensive and innovative.

Technical Challenges Climate Change –Sea level rise –Changes in rainfall patterns Integrating hurricane protection systems into a sustainable landscape Combined effects of multiple river diversions Functionality of marsh restoration using dredged material Sediment availability for wetland restoration and hurricane protection systems Nutrient concentrations in the Mississippi River

Restoring Sustainability to the Coastal Landscape Maximizing use of the Mississippi River and its resources –Restoration of system hydrology –Land-building diversions –Land-sustaining diversions

Restoring Sustainability to the Coastal Landscape Sustaining critical landforms –Hydrologic control of navigation channels –Marsh restoration with dredged material –Barrier shoreline restoration –Ridge habitat restoration –Shoreline stabilization

Sustainable Restoration: Delta Plain

Sustainable Restoration: Chenier Plain

Reduce Risk to Communities Restored ecosystem Non-structural measures –Elevated homes and businesses –Improved building codes –Evacuation planning –Land-use planning –Hazard mitigation plan implementation –Insurance Levees and flood gates

Modification of Existing Levees: Plaquemines Parish

Feasibility Study Complete: Morganza to the Gulf

Feasibility Study In Progress: Donaldsonville to the Gulf

Reconnaissance Study Complete: Southwest Coastal Louisiana

Included in LACPR: Lake Pontchartrain Barrier Plan

Other Important Plan Elements Outlines the Louisiana Applied Coastal Engineering and Science Program Recommends key changes to policy and legislation –Land use planning –Land rights acquisition –State government structure Outlines an adaptive management strategy

The Master Plan is unprecedented.

Unanimous approval by the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority and the Louisiana Legislature First Place Gulf Guardian Award from EPA’s Gulf of Mexico Program