Without question, wetlands loss in Louisiana is a complex issue. Many actions by a broad range of agencies, both federal and state, are both ongoing and needed to mitigate the current situation. Wetlands restoration is a key component of all our future hurricane risk reduction plans as we move forward.
Let me list some examples of what the Corps and its partners are doing to improve coastal Louisiana through engagement on all levels -- planning, construction, operations, and research: First, the Mississippi River and Tributaries diversions at Caernarvon and Davis Pond will increase fresh water flow, thus create and maintain wetlands in those areas.
Second, many of the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection, and Restoration Act (CWPPRA) projects support wetlands restoration.
Third, development and implementation of the Louisiana Coastal Area plan (not yet funded) will work in concert with the state of Louisiana's Master Plan once appropriations are received.
Fourth, the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration effort is studying various structural, non-structural and coastal restoration measures to offer greater risk reduction from future storms to coastal Louisiana.
Much more work remains, and the Corps is working to formalize partnerships with state and local governments as these initiatives move forward.
At this time, the only Corps program actively restoring or protecting wetlands is the CWPPRA program, a five agency program the Corps manages. You might want to check out the 2006 evaluation report:
http://lacoast.gov/reports/program/program.asp?r=19211
It states that in the preceding 15 years, CWPPRA has constructed, is constructing or has approved for construction a total of 78 projects which are expected to re-establish or protect a total of approximately 70,616 acres and enhance 320,354 acres of additional wetlands. An additional 47 projects are in the engineering and design phase. These projects are anticipated to re-establish or protect an additional 32,665 net acres and enhance 194,859 acres of wetlands.
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