Defining Louisiana’s Coastal Zone

1. Defining Louisiana’s Coastal Zone A Proposed Framework to Evaluate the Adequacy of the Louisiana Coastal Zone per Senate Concurrent Resolution SCR 60 - Senator Reggie Dupre - Representative Gordon Dove Louis Buatt Assistant Secretary Department of Natural Resources Office of Coastal Management

2. Provisions of Senate Concurrent Resolution 60 • Requests the CPRA to conduct a comprehensive science based review and analysis of the inland boundary of the Louisiana coastal zone. • Use existing data sets to conduct the study. • Consider physical, chemical, and biological data to define the limits of coastal processes. • Consider social, economic and cultural factors in conducting the study. • Prepare a report to the legislature by March 10, 2010 with findings. • Requests state and federal agencies, universities, NGOs, business and industry to assist and cooperate by providing access to information and data to facilitate this study.

3. Study Strategy:Guiding Principles • CPRA resolution tasks DNR’s Office of Coastal Management to undertake the study. • Leverage seed funding to provide resources to complete study in only 8 months. • Engage expert technical assistance to assist OCM in completing study. • Establish Stakeholder Advisory Group to provide additional input into data acquisition and methodology of study. • Seek public stakeholder input through presentations at OCPR stakeholder workshops. • Develop and utilize an unbiased, scientific analytical methodology to generate an area subject to coastal processes. • Minimize the need for new regulatory authorities. • Maximize the ability to implement the Master Plan through the state Louisiana Coastal Resources Program (LCRP).

4. Outcome Objective:Maximize Effectiveness – Minimize Intrusiveness • Provide the most accurate science based delineation of the coastal zone possible with the resources available. • Incorporate socioeconomic factors into the evaluation. • Avoid increasing the regulatory burden to stakeholders. • Maximize the state’s ability to implement the Master Plan using coastal zone management tools of the Louisiana Coastal Resources Program.

5. Public Stakeholder Participation ResponsesSept. 1st, 2nd, 3rd in New Orleans, Houma, and Lake Charles • Data offered on fault zones in southern Louisiana as indicators of coastal processes. • Suggested that the entire Atchafalaya Basin, and especially the old river control structure, was important to coastal processes and should be included in the coastal zone. • Suggested that fastlands may be important in coastal processes and should be managed to some extent more than they are. • One commenter was concerned that if the coastal zone was expanded, it would stretch state resources with regard to processing permits and require additional staff at the state and local level. • One commenter suggested that salinity data around Lake Charles should be considered because speckled trout were caught there. • Several comment stated that water management practices in areas north, outside the present coastal zone, affected areas inside the coastal zone, and that issue should be considered in the study.

6. Project Approach:Tasks • Data Acquisition: Literature review, seek out available data sets from state and federal agencies, non governmental organizations, business and industry and conduct stakeholder advisory and group and public stakeholder meetings. • Data Compilation and Analysis: Assemble and compile data sets into compatible GIS formats and develop the methodology for data analysis of GIS layers. Select and prioritize data sets and criteria for analyses for tiered management. • Data Interpretation and Final Report Preparation: Organize and evaluate analytical results into coherent science based alternative scenarios for presentation to LCPRA and Louisiana legislature.

7. Project Approach: Resources • LCPRA authorized seed funding in the amount of $100,000 to undertake the project. • EPA through an umbrella grant to DEQ, will support the project in the amount of $150,000 fin federal funds from CWA Section 319, based on potential water quality enhancements and coastal watershed planning. • NOAA, through CZMA funding allocated to the state for program enhancement (CAMA Section 309) will provide federal funds in the amount of $192,000. • Project is 79% federal funded and 21% state funded.

8. Project Approach: Study Team Functions • Office of Coastal Management: To oversee, manage and participate in all aspects of the study. OCM staff are working closely with consultants on data acquisition, analysis and interpretation. • LSU Sea Grant Law and Policy Program: To advise and consult on issues regarding the legal framework of coastal management issues and the CZMA • Shaw Coastal, Inc. and subcontractors: To provide specific expertise in areas of coastal ecosystem analysis, statistics and data analysis, GIS technology and report preparation

9. Stakeholder Advisory GroupInvited Participants Organization Organization La. Shrimp Association La. Commercial Fishermen’s Assn. University of La., Lafayette LSU Sea Grant Program Levee Region 3 Ports Association of La. The Nature Conservancy Parishes Against Coastal Erosion (PACE) La. Association of Police Juries • La. Farm Bureau Federation • Coalition to Restore Coastal La. • La. Forestry Association • Louisiana Landowners Assn. • Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation • National Audubon Society • Coastal Conservation Assn. • Mid-Continent Oil & Gas Assn. • La. Oil & Gas Assn. • La. Association of Business and Industry • La. Chemical Association • Council for a better La.