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Nature Conservancy, Partners Propose Renewed Coastal Conservation in the Wake of Hurricane Katrina

Conservancy Joins Organizations Sending Letter to the White House

September 12, 2005

Dear Mr. President:

Hurricane Katrina is a terrible tragedy that will never fade from our nation’s consciousness. We strongly believe that the nation’s first priorities must be to help those in need and to get our devastated communities back on their feet. We must respond in a way that does justice to those whose lives have been lost and whose homes destroyed, so that we can prevent disasters like this from happening again.

Clearly, in the wake of this national disaster, we must proceed with 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 northern Gulf Coast and the Delta of the Mississippi River, which serve as our natural hurricane protection system for New Orleans, other coastal communities, oil and gas infrastructure, habitat for some of our nation’s most productive fisheries, and Mississippi River navigation.

Every year, 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 land loss is not reversed.

We recognize that the response to this hurricane will involve several federal agencies, span many years, and will require the coordination and cooperation of all stakeholders in the long term recovery effort. For that reason, on behalf of the millions of members and supporters of our organizations, many of whom were directly impacted by this catastrophic storm, we look to you, Mr. President, for leadership in ensuring that the greater recovery effort go hand in hand with restoration of Coastal Louisiana and the northern Gulf Coast.

As the leaders of the conservation and environmental organization most active in restoration of Coastal Louisiana and the northern Gulf Coast, we make the following recommendations:

• Include in the supplemental appropriations bill full authorization and funding to proceed with the Coastal Louisiana restoration plan, including at least $5 billion for near-term projects with the potential to quickly restore lost coastal wetlands and barrier islands and a minimum of $500 million per year from revenues from off-shore oil and gas leases for subsequent wetland and barrier islands projects, rising to $1 billion after four years.
• Proceed immediately with the joint Corps of Engineers-State of Louisiana program to begin the restoration of barrier islands and coastal wetlands.
• Expedite Development of a Comprehensive Restoration Plan, which currently is not scheduled to be completed for six years.
• Expedite coastal restoration efforts in the design, location, and funding of rebuilding efforts.
• Provide a system for scientific review and overall accountability for expedited projects.

Time will tell the extent of the damage wrought by Hurricane Katrina on the greater ecosystem, not to mention the loss of the natural resource investments this country has made in the region through federal programs administered by the Department of Interior, the Corps of Engineers, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. While we have yet to begin the process of assessing the destruction to this valuable ecosystem, one clear lesson out of this disaster is that we must restore our natural hurricane buffer system in years, not decades. We look forward to working with you, Mr. President, to make the immediate restoration of our vanishing wetlands and barrier islands a central component of our plan to rebuild our devastated coastal communities.

Sincerely,

For more information about The Nature Conservancy's response to the Gulf Coast Hurricanes:

• Statement: Impact of the Hurricanes in the Gulf Coast Region
  Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma were national tragedies and our hearts go out to those who have suffered unimaginable loss and displacement. The first priority must be to address the needs of Gulf Coast communities that are now coping with lost lives, homes, businesses, power and security. As these needs are met, focus must then turn to the damage caused to natural systems and resources.
• Statement: Impact of Hurricane Stan
  As communities along the U.S. Gulf Coast and Florida struggle to get back to normal after Hurricanes Katrina and Wilma, another deadly hurricane has brought destruction to the Meso-American countries of Guatemala, Mexico, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Honduras.
• How We're Helping: Nature Conservancy Helps with Hurricane Relief Effort
  Nature Conservancy staff and volunteers from across the country recently volunteered in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on an assignment to help with federal Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.
• How You Can Help: Support Our Work to Restore the Natural Ecosystems Damaged by the Gulf Coast Hurricanes
  For more than 40 years, The Nature Conservancy has worked across the Gulf states of Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Florida and Texas to protect coastal habitat. Now, more than ever, action must be taken to restore these areas.