Barrier islands fronting the Mississippi River delta plain act as a buffer to reduce the effects of ocean waves and currents on associated estuaries and wetlands. Ten years after BP Oil Spill, coastal restoration work thrives. These wetlands are in peril because Louisiana c1,000,000 acres of wetlands have been lost since the turn of the century, and we continue to lose Louisiana’s Department of Natural Resources claims that at current rates, nearly 640,000 more acres, an area nearly the size of Rhode Island, will be under water by 2050"Wetlands and barrier islands provide protection from the strong winds and storm surges of hurricanes. Other studies examine ways in which fine-grained sediments can be introduced into wetlands to replace sediments lost by diversion of the river; the aggravating effects of wave action as determined by moving offshore sands to onshore areas; sources of sand for nourishment activities such as sand from Ship Shoal, some 25 kilometers offshore; and whether sediment can best be removed from the ends, the top, or the sides of the shoal.

The briny intrusion that has put paid to the Choctaw village is devastating southern Louisiana. We still need to reemphasize the lesson from Francis Bacon almost four centuries ago: "Nature to be commanded must be obeyed." But that map, produced by the state and horribly outdated, has little connection to the wisps … As erosion continues, and wetlands turn to open water, their ability to decrease approaching storm surges decreases and the risk of catastrophic loss of life and property from hurricanes is greatly increased. Between 1932 and 2010 the state lost more than 1,800 square miles (470,000 hectares) of … It is estimated that every 2.7 miles of wetlands reduces a storm surge by one foot.

Louisiana coastal erosion is a national disaster that must be addressed Take a look at wall map of Louisiana, and one would think the coastline is healthy. But Louisiana officials are making plans to tap into the Mississippi's ancient power to build new land as a way to reverse coastal erosion and ease the threat of rising seas. - 5,000 full-time jobs with an annual payroll of approximately Studies show that by 2050, the annual loss in commercial fisheries due to eroding wetlands will be nearly in the United States. wafb.com, Matt Houston – In the next four years, workers will break ground on coastal restoration projects that should produce more land than Louisiana loses to erosion for the first time since the 1930s, the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority says. Many questions remain about the environment in which barrier islands evolve and wetland areas evolve and mature. A variety of coordinated studies, such as sediment budget, storm events, wave action, and sea-level fluctuations, are showing how nature intended the barrier island/wetland system to work, and can guide planners to augment the natural evolution of this system rather than operate contrary to nature. Louisiana loses 75 square kilometers annually.

The environmental and economic consequences of coastal erosion in Louisiana are significant. Present data collection activities are being included in models that simulate natural processes for future diversions of the Mississippi River, sea-level rise, subsidence of coastal areas, and beach nourishment. An area the size of Rhode Island will be eroded off the coast of Louisiana by 2050. Data from past hurricanes indicates that the loss of every one-mile strip of wetlands along the coast, results in an estimated $5,752,816 average annual increase in property damage." Since 2000, 1,000,000 a cres of wetland have been lost. April 21, 2020.

As wetlands and natural barrier islands erode, nearby communities will simply suffer the negative consequences.. In general, human attempts to engineer coastal areas have had limited success. Attempts to harness the Mississippi River have led to a land-loss crisis in Louisiana. Using the latest scientific results of barrier island and wetland studies can help address problems in Louisiana and other coastal regions.