Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection & Restoration

Restoring the Coast,
Protecting the People

EPA envisions restoration of Louisiana's coastal wetland ecosystems through strategic, "natural" reintroduction of river water, barrier island/shoreline restoration, and application of innovative technologies such as pipeline delivery of new sediment.

Vanishing Louisiana Wetlands: Louisiana currently accounts for 90% of the nation's coastal marsh loss. By 2050 one third of coastal Louisiana will have vanished into the Gulf of Mexico. EPA is responding to this crisis by working with our State, Federal and local partners to implement restoration projects and to develop the Louisiana Coastal Area (LCA) Comprehensive Ecosystem Restoration Plan.

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Construction Complete Timbalier Island Dune and Marsh Creation Project: Approximately 4.6 Million Cubic Yards of dredged material (primarily sand) has been pumped on to Timbalier Island to rebuild dunes, marshes and beaches. Pipeline Delivery of River Sediment for Wetlands Restoration: EPA has completed its second conference/workshop addressing the potential for pumping new sediment from the Mississippi River and/or other sources to rebuild Louisiana’s coastal wetlands and barrier islands. As part of its commitment to development/utilization of innovative technology... (See Proceedings Reports)

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Project to Return Mississippi River Water to Maurepas Swamp Continues: Engineering and Design work is well underway for the Maurepas Project, with recent completion of a Louisiana State University-run hydrology model of the area that will receive the flow. EIS (Environmental Impact Statement) development is underway by EPA. Louisiana’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is EPA’s partner. The February 2005 project newsletter explains.