Hurricane Katrina
Audubon Urges Congress and the Administration to Protect New Orleans and other Coastal Communities by Restoring Coastal Wetlands and Barrier Islands
Hurricane Katrina and the rupture of the levees in New Orleans has left unprecedented devastation in its wake, in New Orleans and other gulf coast communities in Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana. Our deepest sympathies go out to all of those who have lost family members, friends, and homes. The most immediate priority for all of us is to support the recovery of the communities devastated by Katrina and its aftermath.
Audubon is collaborating with other conservation and environmental groups, federal, state and local government agencies and other stakeholders to make sure that we never again experience a tragedy like Hurricane Katrina. This will require a new direction in how we manage coastal wetlands and the overall Mississippi River system.
We believe Congress and the Administration must respond in a way that protects New Orleans and other coastal communities from the next hurricane. Clearly, we must proceed with appropriate efforts to improve levees and other flood control infrastructure protecting major population centers. It is equally clear that we must accelerate efforts to restore the barrier islands and coastal wetlands of the Delta of the Mississippi River that serve as our natural hurricane protection system for New Orleans, other coastal communities, oil and gas infrastructure and Mississippi River navigation.
Every year, more than 25 square miles of Louisiana's coastal wetlands are lost because river sediments that once spread out and replenished the Mississippi's coastal delta are now funneled into the Gulf of Mexico. These wetlands once served as a natural hurricane buffer, reducing storm surge and absorbing wind and wave energy. More than 1 million acres of these coastal wetlands -- or 1,900 square miles -- have been lost since 1930. Nothing can be done to secure Louisiana from future storms if this erosion is not reversed.
Addressing the environmental conditions and practices that left New Orleans and the gulf coast so vulnerable to this hurricane will involve state and federal agencies and span many years. Audubon, together with a coalition of other environmental organizations including the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana, Environmental Defense, and the National Wildlife Federation recommend the following specific actions as part of the larger recovery effort.
- Include Coastal Restoration in Funding
The nation is expected to provide over $100 billion to recover
from this disaster. In order to ensure that Louisiana's
population does not remain at risk, full authorization and
funding to proceed with the Coastal Louisiana restoration
plan is essential. This should include immediate provision
of at least $5 billion for near-term projects to quickly
restore lost coastal wetlands and barrier islands, and an
amendment to federal law dedicating $500 million per year
from revenues from offshore oil and gas leases for subsequent
wetland and barrier islands projects.
- Proceed Quickly with Projects
The Army Corps of Engineers and the State of Louisiana have developed a near-term program to begin restoration of our barrier islands and coastal wetlands. This proposal includes several projects that would restore lost barrier islands and would divert sediment and freshwater out of the Mississippi River to recreate lost coastal wetlands.
- Expedite Completion of a Comprehensive Restoration Plan
Congress and the Administration should allocate $150 million to complete this comprehensive plan not later than December 2007.
- Ensure Scientific Oversight and Accountability
Expedited action will require that Congress put in place substitute systems for scientific review and overall accountability.
- Coordinate rebuilding efforts with restoration projects
Hurricane Katrina has drastically altered the physical landscape, and many communities and flood control structures will require rebuilding. This rebuilding effort should be coordinated with coastal restoration efforts with respect to design, location and funding.
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