Louisiana Authorities Solicit Public Input on Suggested Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Plan
Louisiana's Coastal Restoration Plans Shift Amid Land Loss Crisis
Louisiana and the Barataria Basin are grappling with a land loss crisis, having lost over 276,000 acres of land since the 1930s. The historic 2016 settlement allocated nearly half of the funding - $4 billion - to restoring Louisiana's coastal and nearshore habitats. However, recent developments have seen a change in the preferred approach for the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion (MBSD) project.
Originally designed to mimic the Mississippi River’s natural sediment deposition processes, the MBSD aimed to rebuild approximately 20 square miles of land over 50 years. The project, which would have reconnected the Mississippi River to Louisiana's Barataria Basin, was intended to counteract rapid coastal land loss caused by various environmental stresses.
The potential benefits of the MBSD included land restoration and sediment replenishment, increased ecosystem resilience, natural flood defense, and cultural and economic protection. However, due to multiple factors including costs, permitting concerns, litigation, and opposition from local fisheries and economic interests, the State of Louisiana, under Governor Jeff Landry, has officially scrapped the MBSD.
With the project canceled, Louisiana is now seeking alternate large-scale coastal restoration approaches. The Louisiana Trustee Implementation Group, the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, and the Environmental Law Institute, in partnership with Restore the Mississippi River Delta, are hosting a dialogue to gather public input on these alternatives.
The draft restoration plan for Louisiana's natural resources after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill proposes investing up to $2 billion in the Mid-Barataria sediment diversion project. The plan is available for public comment for 60 days through May 4, 2021. Virtual public meetings will be held on April 6, 7, and 8, 2021, and instructions on how to access these meetings will be posted approximately two weeks prior.
During these meetings, participants will have the opportunity to learn about the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion project and the permitting process in an informal setting. The Authority and Louisiana Trustees will guide participants through the recently released draft environmental statement and restoration plan.
Wetlands in the Barataria Basin were heavily impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, which accelerated a severe land loss trend threatening Louisiana's estuaries. Public comments will be accepted for 60 days through May 4, and can be submitted online or by mail.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is also releasing a draft environmental impact statement for public comment for 60 days. If approved, the Mid-Barataria sediment diversion project would restore a significant amount of wetland habitat over the next several decades.
In summary, the current preferred alternative reflected in the draft restoration discussions is to discontinue the MBSD project as originally planned, while exploring alternative solutions for sediment diversion and coastal restoration in the Barataria Basin to preserve the ecosystem and protect against land loss and increasing climate risks.
- Amid the land loss crisis in Louisiana and the Barataria Basin, the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion (MBSD) project, initially designed to counteract rapid coastal land loss through mimicking the Mississippi River’s natural sediment deposition processes, has been scrapped due to various factors.
- The 2016 settlement allocated funds for Louisiana's coastal restoration, intending to support the MBSD, which aimed to increase ecosystem resilience, provide natural flood defense, and cultural and economic protection.
- With the MBSD canceled, Louisiana is exploring alternate large-scale restoration approaches, seeking public input on these alternatives in partnership with various organizations. This includes learning about the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion project and the permitting process during virtual public meetings.
- The draft restoration plan for Louisiana's natural resources after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill proposes investing in alternative coastal restoration projects, such as the Mid-Barataria sediment diversion project, to combat climate risks and preserve wetland habitat.
