Feasibility Study Overview

1
Feasibility Study Overview
Louisiana Coastal AreaEcosystem Restoration 19
September 2000
2
Louisiana Coastal Area (LCA) Feasibility Study

• USACE Recon Report
• Supports Coast 2050 Plan
• Approved for feasibility study start May 99
• General Investigations study authorization
• LCA 1967 multi-purpose authority
• Current use ecosystem restoration (no B/C ratio)
• LA Dept. of Natural Resources non-Fed Sponsor
• Feb 00 study start 50/50 cost share
• Project authorization and funding vehicle
  Water Resources Development Act (WRDA)

3
Red River
Louisiana Coastal Area (LCA) Authorized Study Area
Texas
Louisiana
Mississippi
Mississippi River
Atchafalya River
I-10
I-12
I-10
Causeway
I-10
Hwy 1
Hwy 27
GIWW
GIWW
Hwy 27
Hwy 90
GIWW
Hwy 90
Hwy 46
Hwy 82
Bayou Lafourche
Hwy 301
GIWW
Hwy 23
Hwy 1
Gulf of Mexico
4
LCA Study Organization

• DNR/COE Partnering
• Executive Committee
• Senior Management Committee
• Project Management Committee
• Multi-agency and stakeholder representation
• Technical Advisory Committee
• Study Data and Information Management
• USGS National Wetlands Research Center (NWRC)

5
LCA Study EIS Partnering

• Agencies
• FWS, NMFS, WLF, MMS, DNR, EPA, COE
• Laws
• NEPA compliance
• FW Coordination Act
• Endangered Species Act
• Essential Fish Habitat
• Use of U.S. offshore sand resources
• Coastal Zone Management

6
LCA Study Steps -- General

• Start with Coast 2050 Plan
• Develop Purpose and Need Statements for critical
  strategies
• Conduct public scoping to shape study
• Perform data collection
• Formulate alternative restoration plans
• Analyze alternative restoration plans
• Compare plans
• Recommendation Plan(s)

7
LCA Study Interaction Process

• DNR/COE organizes/prepares for each step
• Ensures all facets to conduct work in place
• Keeps study on course
• Conduct Technical Advisory Committee workshops
• Team interaction on technical level
• Shapes study direction
• Conduct meetings with Barataria-Terrebonne
  National Estuary Program
• Receive valuable input on regional issues
• Shapes study direction
• Conduct public meetings
• Receive valuable input on public
  concerns/interests
• Shapes study direction

8
Going Hi-Tech with NWRC

• GIS/Database Support
• Reservoir for data/info storage/recall
• Analytical tool for organized data/info queries
• Web Site Support
• 24-hr interface with public
• Study info posted
• Receipt of comments
• 24-hr interface with Technical Advisory Committee
• Draft study data posted
• Two-way transfer medium -- technical info

9
Approach for Barataria Study

• Phase I Report
• Focus -- Coastal perimeter
• Wetland creation and restoration
• Barrier shoreline restoration
• River diversion
• Ecosystem Restoration Objectives
• Rebuild, protect shoreline, back marshes
• Provide support to basin interior for restoration

10
Approach for Barataria Study

• Prep for Phase II Study
• Develop Hydrodynamic basin model
• Existing conditions
• Objective
• Prepare to analyze water-related
  interior basin strategies

11
Barrier Island Restoration, Marsh Creation, and
River Diversion, Barataria Basin
Phase I Study - current
Potential Addition
R2-11. Delta Building Diversion at Bastian Bay
R2-16. Dedicated Dredging for Marsh Creation
along Hwy. 1
R2-17. Dedicated Dredging for Marsh Building in
Caminada Bay
R2-22. Restore/maintain Barrier Shoreline,
Port Fourchon to Sandy Point
12
(No Transcript)
13
Alternatives for InvestigationMarsh Creation
Strategies

• Marsh Creation Alternatives
• Dredged materials placement
• Terracing
• Vegetative Plantings
• Borrow site alternatives
• Adjacent lakes and bays
• Offshore
• Three scales of analysis each alternative

14
(No Transcript)
15
Alternatives for Investigation Barrier Island
Restoration Strategy

• Barrier Island Restoration Alternatives
• Dredge and place (e.g. beach, dune, back marsh)
• Coastal structures (e.g. breakwaters, groins,
  revetments, geotubes)
• Borrow site sand alternatives
• Ship Shoal
• Mississippi River
• Barataria Basin ebb-tide shoals and relic
  distributaries
• Three scales of analysis each alternative

16
(No Transcript)
17
Alternatives for Investigation Diversion Strategy

• Location on lower river
• Converge LCA Study with prior study work
• Miss. River Sediment, Nutrient, and Freshwater
  Redistribution Study (MRSNFR)
• Barrier Shoreline Feasibility Study (BSFS)

18
Study StatusBarataria Basin Phase I

• Data collection nearing completion
• Early stage of planning plan formulation workshops

Barataria Basin Phase II

• Early stage of initiating model development for
  existing conditions

19
Study Websitewww.coast2050.gov
20
Barataria Basin Study Strategies
Phase II Study
Phase I Study - current
Phase I Study - to be added
R2-6. Enrich Existing Diversions with Sediment
R2-19. Gap Spoil Banks/Plug Canals in Lower Bay
Marshes
R2-4. Divert Through Existing Locks R2-5.
Manage Outfall of Existing Diversions R2-25.
Maintain Shoreline Integrity
R2-1. Small River Diversion
R2-26. Dedicated Dredging
R2-24. Preserve Land Bridge
R2-3a. Provide Diversion Related Flood Protection
R2-10. Delta Building Diversion at Myrtle Grove
R2-8 Small Diversions
R2-2. Restore Natural Drainage Patterns
R2-3b. Remove Flood Waters from the Upper Basin
R2-11. Delta Building Diversion at Bastion Bay
R2-18. Parallel Conveyance Channel and Delta
Lobe
R2-9. Sediment Trap for Marsh Creation
R2-20. Wave Absorbers and Reef Zone (R2-1)
R2-16. Dedicated Dredging for Marsh Creation
along Hwy. 1
R2-17. Dedicated Dredging for Marsh Building in
Caminada Bay
R2-22. Restore/maintain Barrier Shoreline,
Port Fourchon to Sandy Point
R2-23. Extend Barrier Shoreline, Sandy Point
to Southwest Pass