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A Cooperating Organziation of:
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| What are the impacts? |
'Economics aside, an entire way of life, the Cajun culture, famous for its distinctive cuisine, close-knit families, lilting patois, colorful festivals and foot-stomping music, is threatened.'
-- Atlanta Journal-Constitution 10/3/03
Regarding the delicate and unique ecosystem:
'As a wildlife habitat, it [South Louisiana] makes Florida's Everglades look like a petting zoo by comparison.'
-- 'Gone With the Water' National Geographic Magazine, October 2004 |
America's WETLAND, the seventh largest delta on earth, is of world ecological significance. This intricate ecosystem has enormous environmental consequences for wildlife habitat and marine life. It is also a working wetland, hosting production and distribution of 80% of America's offshore oil and gas supply. More than 25% of all oil and gas consumed in this nation comes across Louisiana's shore by tanker, barge or pipeline, and it is from this area that distribution of energy for the entire eastern United States begins.
As the protective wetlands and barrier islands disappear, oil and gas infrastructure along the coast becomes exposed to open Gulf conditions. Wells, pipelines, ports, roads and levees become more vulnerable and the potential for damaging oil spills increases. As these conditions worsen, the environmental damage in the event of a hurricane or storm is unthinkable, and the nation's economic and energy security is put at risk as the probability increases for interruption of oil and gas production and distribution.
These wetlands serve as protection from hurricanes and storm surge for more than two million people living in the coastal zone, including the city of New Orleans, and act as a buffer for the number one port system in the United States, responsible for moving the nation's goods to world markets. The navigation corridors and port facilities for commerce and national defense are valued at more than $15 billion annually.
The Gulf Intracoastal Water Way was built through these wetlands in the early 1900s. The shallow-draft canal, an integral part of the inland transportation system of the United States, makes it possible to supply domestic and foreign markets with chemicals and other essential goods. In both world wars, the nation used this sheltered passage to transport troops. Wetland loss along Louisiana's shore poses an immediate threat to this vital water transportation route by exposing it to open Gulf conditions.
America's WETLAND accepts the drainage of two-thirds of the United States through the Mississippi River, along with high concentrations of nitrogen from agricultural runoff. This contributes to the hypoxia problem and results in the largest dead zone in the world at the mouth of the river off Louisiana's shore.
More than 30% of the nation's fisheries catch in the continental U.S. comes from offshore Louisiana. America's WETLAND is the natural nursery ground for much of the country's seafood, with 95% of all marine life in the Gulf of Mexico spending part of its life cycle in these coastal wetlands.
America's WETLAND is the wintering habitat for more than five million waterfowl and migratory birds in Mississippi Flyway and Central Flyway. As the wetlands disappear, habitat is lost, thus threatening national refuges and putting at risk numerous threatened and endangered species. |
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