The plan to rebuild Louisiana's wetlands centers on massive diversions that will fill bays with freshwater and mud. The fishing industry is worried those diversions will push their target species farther offshore. So environmental groups are working with chefs to expand the market for freshwater seafood.
The state coastal agency expected $140 million next spring. Now it looks like it will get $60 million to $70 million.
The swamp is suffering from a lack of freshwater from natural flooding and from the penetration of saltwater through canals dug for logging. If nothing is done, scientists say the forest will become open water over time. The first phase of the project will be funded with $14 million in BP oil spill fines.
The system will help scientists learn how restoration projects are working.
With the help of a $40 million federal grant, residents of six parishes in southeastern Louisiana have been talking about how their communities could be redesigned to deal with increased flooding. The plans are meant to complement the state’s expectations that thousands of homes will have be elevated, and some bought out, in the coming decades.
They can’t survive if the water isn’t salty enough, and they won’t leave their home in Barataria Bay.
New research shows they can be used together, building more land and reducing harm to fisheries.
They’ll be at the Water Symposium on Thursday evening.
They’ll discuss the latest plans to divert water from the Mississippi River to rebuild the coast.
