1. Louisiana Wetland
Action Program
Technical and Financial Assistance
&
LOUISIANA WETLAND ACTION PROGRAM
The Louisiana Wetland Action Program (LWAP) is an initiative to engage and empower
Louisiana landowners in coastal restoration and, as a result, encourage the growth of
sustainable, resilient communities. Through this program, Global Green works closely with
entities sponsoring conservation efforts to gather and draft information on opportunities
available to help these private property owners preserve and restore coastal habitats. By
engaging in outreach to landowners, LWAP provides them with easy access to detailed
information on programs, grants and other financial incentives to support conservation.
LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY
The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) promotes the development of
agriculture and forestry in the State by protecting and enhancing its natural resources. This
state agency has many responsibilities – including, but not limited to, protecting crops from
pests and diseases, ensuring the proper application and disposal of pesticides, and conserving
forest natural resources. In addition, LDAF administers the Coastal Wetland Re-vegetation
Planting Program.
COASTAL WETLAND RE-VEGETATION PLANTING PROGRAM
This program – which is supported by a combination of federal, state and local entities – helps
landowners stabilize, protect and enhance eroding and newly created coastal wetlands by
establishing native vegetation on their property. To participate, landowners may contact LDAF
or their local Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) located in the parish the U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA) Service Center with the Natural Resource Conservation
Service (NRCS), whereupon a site evaluation is completed and if favorable, a re-vegetation
project proposal is developed.
ELIGIBILITY
The Program Oversight Committee – which consists of representatives from the Louisiana
Department of Natural Resources (LDNR), NRCS and LDAF – reviews re-vegetation project
proposals to determine if the projects are feasible or to make additional recommendations on
how to meet conservation needs. Participants must be willing to allow workers and program
managers to access their property for plantings and project evaluations.
MANAGEMENT AND MONITORING
LDAF program managers evaluate vegetation planting sites based on factors like soil properties,
wave energies and salinity to design restoration plans appropriate for each environment.
Restoration
Preservation
The Global
Green House
409 Andry St.
New Orleans, LA
70117
Green Building
Resource Center
841 Carondelet St.
New Orleans, LA
70130
504.525.2121
www.globalgreen.org
bibg@globalgreen.org
2. Restoration plans often include types of vegetation to be planted, planting techniques and other activities
necessary to achieve restoration objectives.
Thirty to 60 days after planting is complete and again, after one year, program managers visit sites to
determine whether projects are successful. During site visits, program manager assess plant growth,
percent survival and other characteristics. Managers also may make subsequent site visits dependent on
the project’s success and recommendations by LDNR Office of Coastal Protection and Restoration. LDAF
may implement successive planting attempts on a given site, depending upon urgency of need and
likelihood of successful
Landowners retain all property rights. But program managers may recommend limitation or exclusion of
certain activities that could interfere with the restoration objectives. In addition, landowners must agree
to let workers and program managers access their property for plantings and monitoring purposes.
ENROLLMENT BENEFITS
Benefits to enrolling in this program include:
Free technical assistance, material and labor to help stabilize degraded or eroding coastal
wetlands
Retention of all property rights
An opportunity to demonstrate emerging technologies and plant materials
Reduced turbidity
Enhanced fish and wildlife habitat
HOW TO APPLY
Private landowners can request conservation assistance from local conservation districts, LDAF or NRCS;
and technical experts from these agencies will determine whether vegetative enhancements through the
program may address their conservation needs.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For more information on the Coastal Wetland Re-vegetation Program visit
http://www.ldaf.state.la.us/portal/Offices/SoilWaterConservation/CoastalWetlandRevegetationProgram/
tabid/303/Default.aspx or contact Joey Breaux.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
841 Carondelet • New Orleans, LA 70130 Ph. (504) 525-2121; Fax (504) 525-2122 • www.globalgreen.org
Environmental Scientist Supervisor
Joey Breaux:
Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry
Office of Soil and Water Conservation
(225) 922-1269
Joey_b@ldaf.state.la.us