Louisiana aims to unleash Mississippi River - AFP

[Eugene]

Source: Agence France-Presse

Louisiana aims to unleash Mississippi River

by Russell McCulley
Sun Jun 3, 6:49 PM ET

NEW ORLEANS, United States (AFP) - After being hemmed in by
a complex system of levees for generations, the Mississippi River
could soon be unleashed in an epic project to save Louisiana's
rapidly eroding coastline.

The ambitious plan would create a series of gates that would
control the release of silt-laden river water, which would sustain
existing wetlands and rebuild some of those that have been buried
by the encroaching Gulf of Mexico.

It will mimic the river's natural ebb and flow in some areas while
keeping critical shipping channels open.

In a unanimous vote, state lawmakers signed off on the project
Wednesday, which could take decades to implement and cost
upwards of 50 billion dollars.

-snip-

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070603/sc_afp/usenvironmentstorm_070603224255

[itsrobert]

1. How does a coastlinen erode?

Doesn't it just move? There is still a coastline, it just not where people want it.

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

3. loss of sediments,

Because of flood control the sediments in the Mississippi River that would naturally replace the deposition lost to shoreline erosion just gets dumped into gulf instead of being deposited on the delta when the river naturally floods.

This wouldn't a problem if for the last 200 years people had not been trying to find ways to live where they obviously shouldn't be.

[glowing]

5. A coastal system has differing boundaries....

Each zone plays an important role in maintaining the coastline anatomy. Normally on a beach there are 3 zones that we talk about and each have different roles. Then you have a section that is a barrier section.. sand dunes and ect.. Then it normally progresses back into a marsh and there are different zones and different occurrences that happen within the marsh. And all of these cycle through high and low tides functioning very efficiently.

Yes, coastlines move. (I did my marine/ environmental studies in South Carolina). We studied core samples from Columbia, SC that indicated that the coastline had at one time been at the foot of the Capital city (which is in the most western part of the state). The problem is that we wonderful humans like the ocean front properties and beach resorts and golf courses. We take a marsh area and we drain it, call it a lake view and charge more money for it, and erode the natural system. When you lose the buffering zones and don't allow for the buffering zones to naturally move backward, then you lose your coastline completely. This is one of the reasons we are losing so much beach and have spent lots of money on beach re-nourishment projects and breakaways (which are bad too--probably another long explanation that not everyone would get).

I'm trying to use broad terms instead of the really scientific one's to explain this. It took me 4 yrs to get a degree in this (and I still need a masters and doctorate to continue any real work within this field).

Whenever we, as humans, decide we know better than nature that has been doing its thing for many more years, decide to try to improve or just take out natural ecosystems, it eventually catches us in the ass. I would love for Global Warming people to start doing some research as to what we can do with what we have and start insisting on protecting these natural ecosystems that are so vital. Its one thing to go after green house emissions, but if we have lost our rain-forests, tundras, marsh and beach systems, what in the hell will we be left with... really clean air and extinction still imminent.

[Up2Late]

6. It's a very complex problem, but I think the common name is "Soil Subsidence"

Basically, the land appears to sink as it compacts, leaving it more vulnerable to erosion.

What pisses me off is, they never seem to update the maps, even though most of the land is already lost.

If you what to see what is left, here are some NASA MODIS Satellite photos. Click on the thumbnail, then click the 250m link for the close ups.

Note: The 721 photos are infrared and best show where the land (and plants) are.

Post Katrina: <http://rapidfire.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/subsets/?USA7/2006094>

Pre-Katrina Photos: <http://rapidfire.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/subsets/?USA7/2005093>

[glowing]

2. Salt marsh delineation is a real problem on the south east coast

and along the gulf coast. These ecosystems are so cool. They are impossible for man to re-create. We have lost a lot to golf courses and coastline sprawl. Without these ecosystems, expect beach erosion, more damage from hurricanes, salt water entering fresh water sources, sinking of land tables, and the greatest system for cleaning the environment from toxins. It is so sad to see that we create our own disasters.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

4. Louisiana has 50 Billions to spend on this?

And unanimously agreed to spend it?

I hope it works.

[youngdem]

7. Yep. We got it over 20 years, due to the high price of oil and offshore oil revenue sharing

We need to do this. Diversion works. A pilot program in Atchafalaya south of Baton Rouge is working very well. I have seen with my own eyes quick rebuilding.

Please support this DU. This is a natural solution to the problem.

[frogcycle]

8. hip hip hurray!

about time.

Check out this website:

NolaPlan

It explains why this is essential. And more.