www.lacoast.gov

Coast 2050 contains the $14 billion proposal for 500 projects designed to save the coast. It was developed pre-K. One key assumption was the projected the land loss over the next 45 years. Katrina accelerated the land loss in the Breton Sound area east of New Orleans achieving the expected 45 year loss in a single day.

If we really try, can we stop the erosion? At best we can rebuild ten square miles per year, we are currently losing 25 square miles per year but that rate will slow as the most at risk areas sink. The experts seem to be saying that there is still time to reverse the trend but it take years during which the situation will continue to worsen before it eventually improves.

Diversions, dredging, and intelligent ecosystem managment are the highlights of this plan. The timeframe is between now and 2050. Failure to act and keep acting for a prolonged period of time with significant ongoing expense will almost certainly result in additional flooding in the New Orleans area from storms.



A 30,000 cfs diversion at Donaldsonville would be a key to saving the Barataria Basin.