Louisiana Trustees Release Fourth Draft Restoration Plan, Focusing on Recreational Use and Nutrient Reduction

The Louisiana Trustee Implementation Group released its Draft Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessment #4 (PDF, 472 pg), which proposes projects to restore lost public recreational uses and reduce agricultural nutrient runoff in Louisiana’s coastal watersheds injured by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

At this time, we are releasing the Draft Plan early and requesting public comment starting April 20, 2018, through May 21, 2018. We will update this web story and send a reminder email out once the public comment period has started. We are also hosting a public meeting at the Tulane River and Coastal Center in New Orleans on April 24.

Recreational Strategies

The Deepwater Horizon spill oiled shorelines and resulted in the closure of waterways, parks, and other coastal areas in Louisiana resulting in decreased access to recreational fishing and camping, as well as other outdoor activities which diminished the public’s recreational opportunities and use of natural coastal resources.

To help restore those losses, we’re proposing approximately $38 million in project alternatives which emphasize the creation and enhancement of recreational opportunities, including:

• Fishing, beach-going, camping, and boating.
• Public access to natural resources for recreational use.
• Infrastructure for improved of recreational experiences.
• Educational and outreach components to help encouraging use and stewardship of natural resources.

Nutrient Reduction Strategies

Excess nutrients flowing into to Louisiana’s coastal estuaries cause harmful algal blooms and oxygen depleted water, negatively impacting spawning our fisheries’ habitats and food sources already injured by the 2010 oil spill.

We’re proposing  approximately $9.5 million in project alternatives designed to help to restore and enhance water quality in the state’s coastal watersheds by reducing nutrient and nonpoint source pollution runoff on agricultural lands, focusing on the following strategies:

• Nutrient Reduction on Dairy Farms (Two projects in three parishes)
• Nutrient Reduction on Crop and Grazing Lands
• Winter Water Holding on Cropland

Submit Comments

We encourage you to submit input on the Draft Restoration Plan and its project alternatives. For a helpful summary of all the project alternatives and estimated costs, see our factsheet. The public can comment on the Draft Plan beginning April 20, 2018, until May 21, 2018. Please provide your input on the draft plan via:

• Mail:
  
  U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
  
  P.O. Box 49567
  
  Atlanta, GA 30345
• Online via our comment portal: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/LA-NR-REC 

Public Meeting

You can also provide your comments in person at our upcoming public meeting at the Tulane River and Coastal Center in New Orleans on April 24, 2018. Prior to the meeting, we’ll have an open house so you can connect with Trustees’ staff and other stakeholders.

• Location:
  
  Tulane River and Coastal Center
  
  1370 Port of new Orleans Place
  
  New Orleans, LA 70130
• Date and Time:
  
  April 24, 2018 at 5:30 p.m.
  
  Open House – 5:30 – 6:00 p.m.
  
  Meeting – 6:00 p.m.

Additional Resources