New Orleans
, Garret Graves, Chairman, 
Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority; National Institute for Coastal & Harbor Infrastructure, John F. Kennedy Center, Boston, Nov. 12, 2013: "The Triple Threat of Rising Sea Levels, Extreme Storms and Aging Infrastructure: Coastal Community Responses and The Federal Role" See http://www.nichiusa.org or http://www.nichi.us

1. The Protection and Restoration of
Coastal Louisiana
Rising Sea Levels: The Urgent Need for a
National Coastal and Harbor Infrastructure
Program Symposium
November 12, 2013
committed to our coast
committed to our coast

2. No Shortage of Disasters…

13. Louisiana:
Worth Saving?

14. Seafood and Wildlife
• #1 producer in fisheries in the Lower 48 States
• #2 producer of oysters
• #1 producer of blue crabs
• #1 producer of crawfish
• #1 producer of shrimp
• #1 habitat for migratory waterfowl and
songbirds
Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority of Louisiana

15. Ecosystem Services
• Five million waterfowl
• #1 producer in fisheries in the Lower 48 States
• 25 million songbirds
• #2 producer of oysters
• America’s largest wintering habitat for migratory
•waterfowl and songbirdscrabs
#1 producer of blue
•70 rare, threatened, or endangered species
#1 producer of crawfish
•
•Top source of wild seafood in the continental United
#1 producer of shrimp
•
•States
#1 habitat for migratory waterfowl and
songbirds
• Wetlands serve as part of the hurricane protection
system

16. Energy Production and Petrochemical
Manufacturing
restoring and protecting Louisiana’s
coast

17. Truck Cargo Flows: Louisiana
restoring and protecting Louisiana’s
coast

18. Truck Cargo Flows: New York
restoring and protecting Louisiana’s
coast

19. Waterborne Commerce
• 5 of the top 15 largest ports in
the U.S. in Louisiana
• Port of South Louisiana is the
nation’s #1 by tonnage
• Louisiana’s ports handle cargo
accounting for 20% of the
nation’s waterborne commerce
(by tonnage)

20. Annual Tons of Freight by Water
restoring and protecting Louisiana’s
coast

21. Carrying Capacity

22. River Efficiency: 15-Barge Tow Carrying
Capacity

23. Cleaner Transportation: Greenhouse Gas
Emissions

24. Cleaner Transport: Fuel Efficiency

25. Louisiana’s Land Loss
Crisis

26. Land Area Change in Coastal LA
1932 – 2010
Land Loss
Land Gain
Historic Land-Water Change from 1932-2010
Approx. 1,900 sq. mi. (492,100 ha.)
Couvillion et al (USGS), 2011

27. Mississippi River Watershed
• Two-thirds of the continental United States
• 42% of the contiguous land mass of North America

28. Mississippi River Flyway
28

29. Causes of Land Loss
• Levees/Dams
• Subsidence
• Sea-level Rise
• Hurricanes
• Oil & Gas
Infrastructure
• Oil Spill

30. Future Without Action
Predicted Land Loss
Predicted Land Gain
More Extreme- Potential to lose an additional 1,765 square miles
(455,000 ha.) of land over the next 50 years.
Utilized 0.45 m of sea level rise over 50 years, Subsidence rates 0 to 25 mm per year

31. Our Coastal Crisis Will Continue
Current
2020
2030
2040
2050
2060
With No Action Over the Next 50 Years

32. Terrebonne Land/Water Change 1988-2005
Chauvin
Point Aux
Chene
Dulac
Cocodrie
Landsat TM 1998
DeWitt Braud, LSU Coastal Studies Institute

33. Our Communities and Livelihoods at
Risk
Predicted Future Flooding from a 100 Year Flood Event
Future Without Action
Potential for damages to reach
$23.4 billion annually
Increasing threats to lives, jobs,
communities and the economy

34. Our Communities and Livelihoods at Risk
Expected Annual Damages From Flooding
($ Billions)
$25
Could experience 10x more
damages than today
$20
Current
Future Without
Action
$15
• Potential for damages
to reach up to $23.4
billion annually
$10
$5
$0
• Increasing threats to
lives, jobs and
communities

35. Entire Region at Risk
Over the last 100
years hurricanes have
caused approximately
$2,700
billion
In damages (in 2010 dollars) across
Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.

36. Federal Investment needs to be PROACTIVE
NIBS Multihazard Mitigation Council report to Congress on behalf of FEMA
(2005):
• Money spent on reducing the risk of natural hazards is
a sound investment.
• On average, every $1 spent by FEMA on hazard
mitigation…provides the nation about $4 in future
benefits.

37. Addressing the Crisis:
Louisiana’s Coastal Master
Plan

38. Master Plan Objectives
Flood Protection
Reduce economic losses from storm-based
flooding
Natural Processes Promote a sustainable coastal ecosystem by
harnessing the processes of the natural system
Coastal Habitats
Provide habitats suitable to support an array of
commercial and recreational activities coast wide
Cultural Heritage
Sustain Louisiana’s unique heritage and culture
Working Coast
Provide a viable working coast to support industry

39. Using New Tools, Breaking New Ground

40. Key Decision Points
• Flood Risk Reduction and Land Building as
Decision Drivers
• Set a Realistic Budget and Determine
Funding Allocation – $50 Billion, 50/50 split
• Balance Near Term and Long Term Benefits
• Use of Decision Criteria and Ecosystem
Services

41. Factors in Making Decision
Decision Criteria and Ecosystem Services
Risk Reduction
Oyster
Distribution of flood risk across
socioeconomic groups
Flood protection of historic
properties
Shrimp
Freshwater Availability
Alligator
Expected Annual
Damages
Restoration
Flood protection of strategic
assets
Operation and maintenance
costs
Sustainability
Support for navigation
Use of natural processes
Support for cultural heritage
Land Area
Support for oil & gas
Waterfowl
Saltwater Fisheries
Freshwater Fisheries
Carbon Sequestration
Nitrogen Removal
Agriculture/Aquaculture
Other Coastal Wildlife
Nature-Based Tourism

42. 2012 Coastal Master Plan
145 Projects Totaling Approximately
$50 Billion over 50 Years

43. Single Approach is Not the Solution
USACOE

44. Storm Surge Attenuation Benefits
Provided by Comprehensive Approach
Surge
Surge

45. What the Master Plan Delivers: Reduction in
Annual Damages
$18.1 Billion Decrease over
Future Without Action
$5.4 Billion Decrease over
Future Without Action

46. What the Master Plan Delivers: Land Building
550-850 square
miles of land built or
maintained over 50
years

47. 159 miles
of built or
improved levees

48. 19,405 acres
of coastal habitats benefited
of coastal habitats benefited

49. $17 Billion
in State & Federal funding
in State & Federal funding
for protection & restoration
for protection & restoration

50. Greater New Orleans – Hurricane Protection System
Black Lake Beneficial
Use

51. West Closure Complex

53. Lake Borgne Surge Barrier

54. Local Investment in Protection Infrastructure

55. Pelican Island

56. Scofield Island

57. Caminada Headland Beach and
Dune Restoration
303 Acres of Beach Dune with 3.3
MCY of material from Ship Shoal
Estimated Project Cost: $70.6M
Status: In construction
Construction Contractor: Weeks Marine Inc.

58. July 2013
2/1/2014
DRAFT

59. Long Distance Sediment Pipeline
Total Project Budget (CIAP)
$66.1 million
Acres Benefited
256
Project Status
In Design (pending
landrights/ permits)
Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority of Louisiana

60. Mississippi River Long
Distance Sediment Pipeline
(BA-43)

61. 1988

62. 2012

63. Orleans Landbridge
Cost: $34.7 million
Land Benefited: 110 acres of marsh and 8.7 miles of shoreline

64. Orleans Landbridge
• 217,000 tons of concrete recycled from
the dismantled I-10 twin span
• Prevent the loss of 110 acres of marsh
Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority of Louisiana

65. What Does NOT Work?
1. First thing you do in a disaster is throw out the rules
2. First thing you do in recovery is throw out the rules
Executive Order 13604
3. Current project development and implementation process is incapable to addressing
coastal and water resources crisis facing America
4. You cannot perfect solutions before acting – dynamic environments – better science
5. Waiting to invest until AFTER disaster strikes/under-funding
6. Devising “solutions” to single problem in a vacuum (levees v. ecosystem)
7. Divided mission (EPA, NOAA, USACE, FEMA, USFWS, NRCS, CEQ, OMB…..) means no
one is accountable
8. States, local governments and stakeholders on the sidelines (i.e. zoning)
9. Segregating similar programs by agency (stove-piping)
10. Missing schedules and budgets – uncertainty kills

66. What Works?
1. Functional organizational structure
Formation of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Board
Coastal board of directors
Integrating/co-mingling funds
2. Schedule public meetings to deliberate and provide public input
Discuss policy options/trade-offs
Accountability venue
3. Establish prioritization metrics that reflect regional/state/local values
4. Provide clear, transparent, accountable project process processes
5. Develop annual report card to show successes and learning opportunities
6. Move forward with 70+% solutions and use robust adaptive management
7. Communicate honestly – can’t promise “a chicken every pot”
Residual risk exists
8. Proactive versus reactive actions
9. Identify “double” and “triple” wins (multi-service objectives)
10.Delivering what you promised

67. Today
Baton Rouge
New Orleans

68. Blum, M.D. & H.H. Roberts (2009)
Tomorrow?
Baton Rouge
New Orleans

69. Thank You!
Learn more: www.coastal.LA.gov
Garret Graves
Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority
garret@LA.gov
225-342-7669

70. United States Geological Survey
Preliminary Land Loss/Gain 1930-2010

71. Truck Cargo Flows: New York
restoring and protecting Louisiana’s
coast

72. Truck Cargo Flows:
Southern California
restoring and protecting Louisiana’s
coast

73. Truck Cargo Flows: Houston
restoring and protecting Louisiana’s coast

74. Truck Cargo Flows: New Orleans
restoring and protecting Louisiana’s
coast

75. Annual Tons of Freight by Water
restoring and protecting Louisiana’s
coast

76. Truck Cargo Flows: Louisiana
restoring and protecting Louisiana’s
coast

78. Energy Production and Petrochemical
Manufacturing
restoring and protecting Louisiana’s
coast

79. Louisiana Perspective: Energy
Production
Without OCS Production
Louisiana is
With OCS Production
Louisiana becomes:
th largest producer of
8
nd largest producer
2
crude oil
of crude oil
2nd largest producer
2nd largest producer
of natural gas
of natural gas

80. Louisiana Perspective: Energy Refining
nd in Refining Capacity
2
21% of Nationwide Refining
Operable Capacity in 2012

82. Seafood and Wildlife
• #1 producer in fisheries in the Lower 48 States
• #2 producer of oysters
• #1 producer of blue crabs
• #1 producer of crawfish
• #1 producer of shrimp
• #1 habitat for migratory waterfowl and
songbirds
Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority of Louisiana

83. Ecosystem Services
• Five million waterfowl
• #1 producer in fisheries in the Lower 48 States
• 25 million songbirds
• #2 producer of oysters
• America’s largest wintering habitat for migratory
•waterfowl and songbirdscrabs
#1 producer of blue
•70 rare, threatened, or endangered species
#1 producer of crawfish
•
•Top source of wild seafood in the continental United
#1 producer of shrimp
•
•States
#1 habitat for migratory waterfowl and
songbirds
• Wetlands serve as part of the hurricane protection
system

84. Economic Impact of Energy, Ports and Maritime
and Louisiana Seafood and Outdoor Recreation
Economic Sector Total Economic
or Industry
Impact (millions)
Total Jobs
Total Wages
(millions)
Total Tax
(millions)
Energy1
$77,300
310,217
$16,100
$2,500
Ports and Maritime
$33,000
270,000
$5,700
$470
Seafood
$2,400
21,238
Seafood, Fishing,
Boating and Wildlife
Viewing2
$5,700
62,833
$378.3
Coastal Industries
Total
$118,400
664,288
$3,348
Total State Economy
$213,6003
1,834,338
$76,899
1. Oil and Gas Extraction, Pipeline, and Refinery Operations. 2. Select Industries from the 2008 Southwick Study. 3. Gross State Product 2010
$6,962

85. Economic Impact of Energy, Ports and Maritime
and Louisiana Seafood and Outdoor Recreation
Economic Sector Total Economic
or Industry
Impact (millions)
Total Jobs
Total Wages
(millions)
Total Tax
(millions)
Energy1
$77,300
310,217
$16,100
$2,500
Ports and Maritime
$33,000
270,000
$5,700
$470
Seafood
$2,400
21,238
Seafood, Fishing,
Boating and Wildlife
Viewing2
$5,700
62,833
$378.3
Coastal Industries
Total
$118,400
664,288
$3,348
Total State Economy
$213,6003
1,834,338
$76,899
1. Oil and Gas Extraction, Pipeline, and Refinery Operations. 2. Select Industries from the 2008 Southwick Study. 3. Gross State Product 2010
$6,962

86. Energy Production and Petrochemical
Manufacturing
restoring and protecting Louisiana’s
coast

87. Louisiana Perspective: Energy
Production
Without OCS Production
Louisiana is
With OCS Production
Louisiana becomes:
th largest producer of
8
nd largest producer
2
crude oil
of crude oil
2nd largest producer
2nd largest producer
of natural gas
of natural gas

88. Louisiana Perspective: Energy Refining
nd in Refining Capacity
2
21% of Nationwide Refining
Operable Capacity in 2012

90. Mississippi River and Tributaries

93. Lake Hermitage Marsh Creation
Estimated Project Cost: $39 M (CWPPRA Base Project)
653 acres of Marsh
Status: In Construction
Construction Contractor: Pine Bluff Sand and Gravel Co.

94. 2/1/2014
DRAFT
June 2012

95. 2/1/2014
DRAFT
August 2013

96. Bayou Dupont

97. Bayou Dupont: Outside of Influence Area

98. Bayou Dupont: November 2012

99. What the Master Plan Delivers
Includes a wide variety of project types distributed
throughout the coast

100. Long Distance Sediment Pipeline
Total Project Budget (CIAP)
$66.1 million
Acres Benefited
256
Project Status
In Design (pending
landrights/ permits)
Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority of Louisiana

101. Mississippi River Long
Distance Sediment Pipeline
(BA-43)

102. Isaac- NHC Hindcast, inundation depths

103. Barrier Islands
Creation and restoration
of dune, beach, and
back barrier marsh to
restore or augment
offshore barrier islands
and headlands
Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority of Louisiana