Regulacje i polityka gospodarcza · 20/12/2001

Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Mississippi River Diversion Near Benny's Bay, Ecosystem Restoration Analysis, Mississippi River Delta, LA

Estimates show that approximately 30 square miles of coastal wetlands convert to open water in Louisiana each year. The causes of the wetland loss are varied and complex, depending upon wetland location and type. Wetland loss has been attributed to the loss of freshwater, nutrient, and sediment input from the Mississippi River due the construction of flood protection levees, salt water intrusion, oil and gas access canals, navigation channels, subsidence, and sea level rise. The loss of wetlands has serious negative impacts to fish and wildlife populations, hurricane protection, and the economy of Louisiana and the nation. Many believe that reestablishment of freshwater, nutrient, and sediment flows from the Mississippi River into degraded wetlands would restore and sustain coastal wetland ecosystem structure and function that have been lost.