UPDATE: December 10, 2015
On December 10, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana the CWPPRA Technical Committee voted and passed funding for construction on ME-18!
More updates to continue, thank you all who submitted input and helped spread the word on a much needed coastal project.
More updates to continue, thank you all who submitted input and helped spread the word on a much needed coastal project.
Audio from the Technical Meeting that passed ME-18
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Here is some audio from the hearing. Skip to minute 8 to hear the public comments. The first part of this audio is John Foret, NOAA, explaining the specifications of this project.
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ME-18 Shoreline Stabilization Project
ME-18: What is it and Why is it Important?
All coastal projects in Louisiana are assigned to a basin and given a number by the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection, and Restoration Act (CWPPRA). In the case of this project, ME is the Mermentau Basin and it is the 18th proposed project for this area. ME-18 provides shoreline protection along 2.5 miles of Rockefeller Refuge, and it could potentially extend to have up to 9 miles of breakwaters.
Rockefeller Refuge is a world renowned research center for the American Alligator and provides space for research on marsh management. It is in the center of the Mississippi Flyway and has millions of birds migrating through this area on an annual basis.
According to the Coastal Education and Research Foundation, Rockefeller is the erosional hotspot of the Chenier Plain in west Louisiana. This area receives one of the highest rates of erosion in the state.
Rockefeller Refuge is a world renowned research center for the American Alligator and provides space for research on marsh management. It is in the center of the Mississippi Flyway and has millions of birds migrating through this area on an annual basis.
According to the Coastal Education and Research Foundation, Rockefeller is the erosional hotspot of the Chenier Plain in west Louisiana. This area receives one of the highest rates of erosion in the state.
Who to Contact:
TimelineCWPPRA Technical Committee will vote for 4 projects on December 10, 2015 in Baton Rouge, La.
What is CWPPRA?The Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act, also called the Breaux Act was created in 1990. This basically became the clearinghouse for coastal projects in Louisiana.
(the following information is from CWPPRA's website: lacoast.gov) Typically referred to as the "Task Force" (TF), it is comprised of one member from each of five the Federal Agencies and the Local Cost Share Sponsor, which is the State of Louisiana. The Federal Agencies of CWPPRA include:
The District Commander of the USACE, New Orleans District (NOD), is the Chairman of the TF. The TF Chairman leads the TF and sets the agenda for action of the TF to execute the Program and projects. At the direction of the Chairman of the TF, the NOD:
The Technical CommitteeThe Technical Committee (TC) is established by the Task Force (TF) to provide advice and recommendations for execution of the Program and projects from a number of technical perspectives, which include:
The TC provides guidance and direction to subordinate organizations of the program through the Planning & Evaluation Subcommittee (P&E), which reports to the TC. The TC is charged by the TF to consider and shape decisions and proposed actions of the P&E, regarding its position on issues, policy, and procedures towards execution of the Program and projects. The TC makes directives for action to the P&E, and the TC makes decisions in consideration of the P&E recommendations. The Chair's seat of the TC resides with the USACE, NOD. The TC Chairman leads the TC and sets the agenda for action of the TC to make recommendations to the TF for executing the Program and projects. At the direction of the Chairman of the TF, the Chairman of the TC guides the management and administrative work charged to the TF Chairman. |
Demonstrations of the ProjectThere was a demonstration phase for the ME-18 project. Below are the three breakwater demonstrations.
Lightweight Aggregate Core
Often times, breakwaters are so heavy they sink in on themselves. The interior of the lighweight aggregate (LWA) breakwater is composed of a neutrally buoyant clay and shale. Therefore, load bearing on the underlying sediment is lighter than a typical rock breakwater.
This site is still actively accreting land and slowing wave energy. Much of the video above was shot at this test section. Regular Breakwater
This test section was composed of rocks that are typically used to make a breakwater. Due to the soft sediment in this area of the coast, this breakwater has almost sunk below sea level. This test section is not slowing wave energy or accreting land as well as the LWA test section.
Artificial Oyster Reef
A fairly new type of restoration has been implemented on the third test section. Circular interlocking rings were designed and constructed to make an artificial reef. This section has also begun to sink below the water level.
Protecting the Coast - Protects the ParishCameron Parish is the most southwestern parish in Louisiana and has steadily been rebuilding since Hurricane Rita in 2005.
There are drainage canals throughout the parish, with some of them running through Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge. The lower Mermentau Basin Levee is just over mile north of the proposed project. If this levee were to erode, saltwater intrusion would reach far above Hwy. 82 and into much of the Mermentau River Basin. Projects that protect the coastline first, can aid in other coastal projects further inland; often marsh creation or freshwater introduction. For example, there are two other proposed CWPPRA projects within a few miles north of this coastal project. Without coastline protection, these inland projects may be imperiled and compromised before they begin. History of Project ME-18For nearly a century, coastal erosion has plagued Louisiana's Gulf Coast. In the southwestern parts of the Louisiana coast, the erosion rate is ~47 ft. per year.
The beach is primarily composed of crushed shell (aka, shell hash). Because this material is lighter than sand, this material is easily transported by wind and water. When a heavy south wind produces large waves and high tides, the shell hash is picked up and placed into the marsh immediately behind original beach location. The vegetation where the shell hash becomes deposited is suffocated and dies. Meanwhile, when the shell hash moves landward, the underlying soft clay/mud material is exposed. This underlying material is highly erosive and once eroded, completes the cycle until the next storm/wind event. Segmented breakwaters or rockwalls, have been used along Louisiana's coastline for over 20 years. They slow the wave energy from crashing into the coast, and they trap sediment behind the rockwall. Over time, the land builds outward toward the rock wall and land loss is eliminated. The original design for this project started in 1999. A few years later, the breakwater test sections were set up along the western shore of Joseph Harbor Canal. There were three types of demonstration breakwaters set up. In previous Priority Project List meetings by CWPRRA, this project has failed to be approved for funding and the erosion rate has continued at nearly fifty feet a year. |
