1. By: Richelle DeCuir Title 1 Wetlands Workshop January 15, 2004 Hi, Im Richelle DeCuir from CenLA. Im concerned because Louisiana supplies the largest port in the world. This area is in danger. Without this area, we will not be able to import and export all the ingredients for the foods that make Louisiana famous. Louisiana loses 1 acre of wetlands each 24 minutes. At this rate, our ports are in serious danger. Please join with me to protect our seafood, spices, economy, lands, and animals that are suffering due to these catastrophic losses.

2. Wetlands PowerPoint Project By: Richelle DeCuir, Mary Dunkeson, Gayla Verzwyvelt These valuable marshes and swamps are deteriorating, and at least some of the causes are clear: Natural subsidence of this ancient part of the Mississippi delta Sea level rise Lack of fresh water, nutrient and sediment input from the levied Mississippi River Salinity increases Large populations of nutria and muskrat Hurricane damage (hurricanes Betsy, Camille, Andrew and Georges, in particular) Lakeshore erosion Draining, ponding and canal building

3. Economic Factors How do wetlands benefit Louisiana? Jobs in Oil and Gas Shipping and Commerce on the Mississippi: Louisianas Port system is the largest in the world.

4. Possible Solutions Public Education Industry Education Create new Marsh Improve plant vitality Reduce rates of land loss Control Rivers Dredging Natural Hydrology

5. New Land Creation Project Holly Beach Sand Management Cost $19.30 million Project Area: 8901 acres Status: Construction Net Benefit after 20 years: 330 acres Location: West of Calcasieu Pass along the Gulf of Mexico shoreline, extending between Holly Beach and Cameron Beach. Problem: Loss of land due to chronic erosion caused by a lack of sand and sediment due to canalization and regulation of the Mississippi and Atchafalaya rivers to the east. The Calcasieu and Mermentau rivers are not supplying coarse-grained sediment to the area, and the Cameron Jetties associated with the Calcasieu Ship Channel deflect the little material that does exist away from the beaches. Restoration Strategy: The projects goals are: Protect approximately 8,000 acres of existing marsh wetlands north of the chenier ridge. Create and protect roughly 300 acres of beach dune and coastal chenier habitat from erosion and degradation. Project plan consists of placing approximately 1.7 million cubic yards of high quality sand on the beach to reestablish a more historic shoreline, as well as improve the effectiveness of the existing segmented breakwater system.

6. Evaluation Critique: Project extremely worthwhile as these beaches provide recreation and are important to the tourism industry. Reason the project was chosen: Holly Beach is a fun place to visit.