The wetlands of Louisiana play a vitally important role in protecting the city from flooding and storm surges.  But scientists and researchers have just begun to tap into their potential.  If we work to prevent the further degradation of the wetlands they will provide an avenue for future study and a wealth of biological resources.  Wetlands are complex ecosystems, and there is still much that we don’t know about them.  The Louisiana wetlands make up about 40% of the total wetland ecosystems in the United States (Thorpe, 2002), and they are in an area of great geological activity.  This means that the area will be extremely important for future study of geological and ecological processes such as the effect of subsidence on the wetlands, plate tectonics in areas of soil instability, the role of different species in wetland ecosystems, and many other things. 

There are also studies beginning now that are looking into the role of wetlands in carbon sequestration (Wetland Restoration, Management, and Carbon Sequestration , 2003).  This work is extremely important because atmospheric carbon affects global warming, and the ability to store it in wetlands would help to remediate these affects.  In addition to naturally sequestering carbon, the wetlands naturally purify the water that flows through them.  For this reason they can be used for the treatment of effluent from cities.  This process has been implemented within small-scale artificial wetlands, and research is being done to evaluate the possibility of using natural wetland ecosystems for this purpose (Gustufson, 2002).  If this could be applied in New Orleans or another city, then thousands of dollars could be saved in energy costs compared to conventional wastewater treatment facilities. 

Finally, the wetlands are currently a warehouse of genetic information.  Many of the species that inhabit the wetlands are currently endangered or threatened (for example, the bald eagle) or are commercially important to the area, like fish and shellfish.  As the ecosystems disappear, so do the species that inhabit them.  Future studies should focus on preserving the great biodiversity that exists in these small areas.

A major barrier to successful restoration of Louisiana’s wetlands is lack of knowledge of the dynamics of wetland systems, and how restoration efforts might affect these dynamics.  For example, the rate of accretion of different types of organic matter is different in marshes repaired by dredging than in natural marshes, but the reason for this and the ultimate effect on community stability are unknown.  In order to decrease such knowledge gaps, we propose an increase in research of natural and restored wetland dynamics.  A large-scale study of Louisiana’s coastal ecosystem should investigate  parameters including soil physiochemistry, community structure, tidal dynamics, and successional and seasonal changes.

More information about how restoration efforts affect and change ecological conditions is needed. We propose to examine a large number of experimental restoration sites in diverse areas, and monitor these locations intensely.  In replanting and resedimentation projects, parameters such as relative ground cover by plants, elevation, succession and maturation of the ecosystem, and relative rates of land loss, should be measured.  In order to obtain a comprehensive view of how certain restoration projects affect ecosystems, many sites, subjected to diverse methods of restoration and in different types of environments (i.e. different vegetative communities, elevations, rates of land loss, etc.) should be examined.

Additionally, new and innovative restoration techniques, that would make large-scale restoration of Louisiana’s wetlands more technologically and economically viable, should be developed.  Currently, there is a lot of research into developing and breeding variants of ubiquitous plants, such as species of Spartina, that are better adapted to relatively harsh conditions.  Another promising research area is aerial seeding for replanting, which is still in experimental stages, but would make replanting cheaper.  Innovations in other areas, such in the use and design of structures to retain sediment, would aid restoration efforts. This research will require an increase in funding to institutions that are developing restoration technology, such as centers for breeding plants most suitable for planting.

Immediate Action
Anna Simon

Although restoration techniques are still not perfected, there are certain areas in which the degradation is sufficiently severe and imminent that we suggest immediate, intensive, action be taken.  These areas portions of the Barataria and Terrebone Basins, along the shore of Lake Ponchartrain, and the barrier islands, and in canal areas.

The southern, coastal, portion of the Barataria Basin and the Timbalier subbasin of the Terrebonne Basin are facing serious and imminent land loss.  Levees and diversions of the Mississippi have essentially eliminated the influx of sediment-laden fresh water from these areas, resulting in net erosion and increased salinity,   Synergistic effects occur because the land loss has increased the resulting in even higher levels of salinity, plant death, and erosion.

In order to reduce this high rate of erosion, sediment-laden fresh water from the Mississippi must be siphoned into the bays and waterways that lack fresh water and sediment.   The proposed diversions of the Mississippi River below New Orleans into the basin through the existing Wilkinson Canal will divert water back into the Barataria Basin.  Additionally, management structures such as weirs should be constructed in order to maximize nutrient uptake and sediment retention. Although previous projects, such as the Naomi Outfall Management and the Mississippi River diversions have been somewhat successful at reducing salinity and increasing sediment and nutrient levels, additional fresh water, sediments, and nutrients are also vital to reducing erosion (Naomi Outfall Management General Factsheet).

Erosion in the Pontchartrain Basin
Written by Sara Barnowski

The southern, coastal, portion of the Barataria Basin is facing the most serious land loss.  Unless action is taken, the basin could lose approximately 25% of its current wetland area (Barataria Basin Summary).  The most critical problem is the lack of fresh water, nutrients, and sediment.  Levees along the Mississippi and freshwater diversion essentially eliminated significant input of fresh water and sediment into Barataria Bay.  The result of these problems is an increase in tidal flux through Barataria Bay, which results in a positive feedback cycle even higher levels of salinity, plant death, and erosion.

    Fresh water must be diverted back into the Barataria Basin.  This is accomplished by siphoning fresh water into bays and waterways, and constructing weirs and other management structures in order to maximize nutrient uptake and sediment retention (Naomi Outfall Management General Factsheet).   Although previous projects, such as the Naomi Outfall Management and the Mississippi River diversions have been somewhat successful at reducing salinity and increasing sediment and nutrient levels, additional fresh water, sediments, and nutrients are also vital to reducing erosion.  Our plan is to divert the Mississippi River at a point below New Orleans and direct it into the basin through the existing Wilkinson Canal (see Mississippi River long term solution). 

Additionally, the bay side of the barrier islands should be restored with dredged sediment and replanted (Barataria Basin Summary).  Dredged sediments can either be taken from river beds or neighboring off shore locations.  Planting of native species will yield a much faster recovery as well as preserve the ecological dynamics by not introducing invasive species. 

Chandeleur Islands and Terrebone Basin Islands
Written by Samantha Fox

Southeastern Louisiana’s barrier islands experienced severe damage during Hurricane Katrina.  In order to maintain the integrity of the barrier islands, it is crucial that places where the barrier islands were overwashed and made into separate islands during the hurricanes be restored. Due to numerous hurricanes in the past ten years, these islands have experienced a much greater rate of erosion.  The Chandeleur and Terrebone barrier islands are in especially critical condition due to a lack of sediments entering the basin.  The barrier islands should be restored with dredged sediment and replanted with smooth cord grass, Spartina alterniflora, to hold the soil in place and promote growth and stability (Chandeleur Islands Marsh Restoration, 2001).

Canal Regulations
Written by Leigh Casadaban

The canals inside Louisiana’s wetlands are a major cause of erosion, as they allow increased area for possible erosion and salt water intrusion.  Much of this degradation is unnecessary - several canals are rarely used due to poorly organized industry tracking.   We propose that traffic is channeled to a select few canals, and the unused canals be filled in with dredged material and reconstructed into wetlands   We also propose that within the canals that remain open, we introduce new structures to prevent water contamination and erosion, such as locked dams.

Additionally, enforcing canal walls with vegetation will prevent saltwater spillage.  To help prevent wave induced erosion, rock dikes used as sediment traps, weirs and rock plugs can be placed along the mouth of the canals (Stokstad, 2005).  Currently, this technology of preventing erosion along canal banks has been somewhat successful.  For example, the CWPPRA Boston Canal/Vermillion Bay Bank Protection project significantly increased vegetation cover and resulted in net accretion in the area (LaCoast).

Zoning Laws and Politics
Written by Ying Chan 

Since human interaction with the wetlands is a major cause of degradation, we propose several new zoning laws and also suggest that current laws be enforced more strictly.

These are the current zoning laws that are generally in effect for wetlands in parishes outlined in the State and Local Coastal Resources Management Act:

• Non-water dependent forms of development are restricted to uplands and areas at least five ft. above sea level.
• Waste treatment facilities in parishes must be removed from wetlands and be constructed in a way to prevent leaching.
• Non water-dependent uses of wetlands are prohibited.  Such activities should occur in regions that are suitable for development, as far away as possible from flood-prone areas and environmentally sensitive wetlands.
• If a permitted development in a parish will have adverse effects on wetlands, the parish will plan and determine how the private owner will compensate for wetland loss.

Here are zoning features that we propose be enforced:

• Draining or filling is prohibited in pristine wetland areas.
• For wetlands preserved for conservation, at least a 100 ft. vegetative buffer strip should be placed along the boundaries of wetlands to absorb runoff from urban areas.  A buffer zone must be kept between wetlands and developed areas.
• Prior to rebuilding, each parish must evaluate where commercial, industrial, and residential districts should be situated to have as little impact on wetlands as possible.
• Bayou communities (which are low-lying marshland area) should practice low-density sprawl to downsize the population density.  In addition, each private owner of wetland areas is responsible for protecting the wetland by planting marsh vegetation and doing other things to help restore wetland areas. 
• All activities in industrial or agricultural areas that may affect adjacent wetlands must be managed to have as little impact on wetlands as possible by following strict guidelines for minimizing the release of pollutants.  Best management techniques must be enforced for farming (such as crop rotation, contour farming, recharging of aquifers), foresting, oil drilling (using directional drilling and avoidance of canals through barrier islands and wetlands).  Ground water quality must be continually monitored to detect any pollutants to ensure that the guidelines are followed.
• If forested wetlands are to be developed, at least 50% of the area must be put aside for recreational parks.