Business Council of New Orleans Louisiana’s Future May 2, 2012

60 Million Years Ago

40 Million Years Ago

20 Million Years Ago

Today Source: Earth Systems Research Laboratory

Mississippi River & Tributaries (MRT)

Gulf of Mexico-Energy

Deepwater Horizon Well Site

Strategic Petroleum Reserves [Pink]

LNG Terminals [Green]

Natural Gas Market Center (Hubs) [Orange]

Oil Import Sites/Seaports [Purple/Red]

Petroleum Refineries [Purple Squares]

Natural Gas Processing Facilities [Green Diamonds]

Active Offshore Oil/Gas Platforms [Pink]

Natural Gas Gathering/Interstate Pipelines

restoring and protecting Louisiana’s coast National Perspective: Energy #1 producer of domestic oil in the U.S. #2 producer of natural gas in the U.S. Produces or transports one-third of oil & gas Top domestic reserves of oil & gas Only supertanker energy port in the U.S. #2 oil refining capacity $5 billion/annually to US Treasury

restoring and protecting Louisiana’s coast National Perspective: Seafood/Wildlife #1 producer in fisheries in the Lower 48 States #2 producer of oysters #1 producer of blue crabs #1 producer of crawfish #1 producer of shrimp #1 habitat for migratory waterfowl and songbirds

Ecosystem Services Five million waterfowl 25 million songbirds America’s largest wintering habitat for migratory waterfowl and songbirds 70 rare, threatened, or endangered species Top source of wild seafood in the continental United States. Wetlands serve as part of the hurricane protection system

"It is New Orleans, through which the produce of three-eighths of our territory must pass to market...” Thomas Jefferson to Robert R. Livingston, Washington, April 18, 1802 The Louisiana Purchase

Tonnage on Domestic Waterway Network

restoring and protecting Louisiana’s coast

National Perspective: Ports-Cargo Top tonnage port in the nation Five of the top 15 tonnage ports in the US One of the largest cargo port complexes in the world 19 percent of all domestic waterborne commerce Over 30 states depend upon Louisiana’s ports for imports and exports….. photo LA DOTD

Historic Land-Water Change from Couvillion et al (USGS), 2011 Land Loss Land Gain Land Area Change in Coastal LA

Potential to lose up to 1,756 square miles of land over the next 50 years Louisiana is Experiencing a Coastal Crisis Predicted Land Change Over Next 50 Years

Projected Land Change Currently experiencing -16 square miles/year Future could reach -51 square miles/year Louisiana is Experiencing a Coastal Crisis

Our Communities and Livelihoods at Risk Predicted Future Flooding from a 100 Year Flood Event Future Without Action Potential for expected annual flood damages to reach $7.7 to $23.4 billion by 2061

The Future 32

Our Objectives: 1.Reduce economic losses from storm- based flooding 2.Promote a sustainable coastal ecosystem by harnessing natural system processes 3.Provide habitats suitable to support an array of commercial and recreational activities coast-wide 4.Sustain Louisiana’s unique heritage and culture 5. Provide a viable working coast to support industry. Master Plan 2012

Utilize Modeling in a Systems Context Surg e Upper Trophic Stage, Salinity Sediment Stage, Salinity Stage, Salinity, Water Quality Dominant Vegetation Dominant Vegetation Land Configuration, Elevation Stage Island Configuration Land Configuration, Elevation Surge, Waves Dominant Vegetation

2012 Coastal Master Plan

Responding to the Crisis Louisiana’s Coastal Program: Past, Present, and Future

A Closer Look: Southeast Coast

Master Plan Outcomes - Southeast Coast 84 miles of shoreline protection & ridge restoration projects 57,888 acres of marsh creation projects 18,041 acres or 40 miles of barrier island/headland projects NEARLY 58,000 ACRES OF MARSH CREATION PROJECTS

39 Keystone of the 2012 Master Plan: Reconnecting the River UPDATE

Keystone of the 2012 Master Plan: Reconnecting the River The projects in the plan would use up to 50% of the Mississippi River’s peak flow for sediment diversions, in addition to using water and sediment from the Atchafalaya River.

Greater New Orleans High Level Levee – aimed at providing the area with 500 year level of protection Lake Pontchartrain Barrier project Greater New Orleans LaPlace Extension Maintain West Bank Levees (>100 year level of protection) New Orleans East Land Bridge Restoration Central Wetlands Marsh Creation project Lake Borgne Marsh Creation project Mississippi River Diversion into Barataria and Breton provide significant protection and benefits to Greater New Orleans Greater New Orleans Area 41

What the Draft Master Plan Delivers $5.4 Billion Decrease over Future Without Action $18.1 Billion Decrease over Future Without Action

We Continue to Make Progress

United States Geological Survey Preliminary Land Loss/Gain

1.New project delivery systems *Corps of Engineers/Funding 2. Programmatic approach to coast 3. Venue for organized collaboration *academia, private sector, NGOs, government scientists (Water Institute) 4. Recognition of urgency Keys to Future Success

Future: Two Choices 46

Thank You