Issue Position: Coastal Restoration

Issue Position

Terrebonne & Lafourche have the highest rate of wetland loss in the United States. Our coastal marshes are the home to a wide range of wildlife, and are the source of our tremendous seafood industry. They also provide recreational fishing & tourism, and are our natural protection against hurricanes.
Restoring our coast is no longer an option, it is a necessity!

At this time, there are a few plans that propose ways to restore our rapidly eroding coastline; however, we don't have time to try them all to see what works best. Proposed large scale freshwater diversion projects, while necessary, might take decades to build what pipeline sediment can do in just weeks or months. The use of dredge material is the quickest method and has proven to be the most effective way to achieve this goal.

Pipeline dredging has been used to build Port Fourchon, the famous Palm Island in Dubai, and several other places around the world. It is the fastest way to re-construct marsh ridges that are critical for the growth of trees and plant life which have proven to reduce the effects of storm surge.

As your Senator, it is my top priority to see that we begin to fund this effective restoration technique and start rebuilding our coast!

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