Much of West Jefferson is threatened by the waters of the Gulf. 100 years ago there were barrier islands and thriving marsh for 45 miles between the population centers and the Gulf. Now Barataria Bay, Lakes Salvadore and Catahouche are almost indistinguishable from the shallow salt water flats to the south. Grand Isle is still there but more isolated than ever.

Lack of river flooding has destroyed the Barataria Basin. Levees on the Mississippi and the Atchafalaya are the culprits. A fully functioning Davis Pond plus many more diversions could reverse the trend, otherwise we should remove the levees now before nature does it for us.