Transcript:
Years ago, a marsh separated Highway One in Lafourche Parish, Louisiana, from the ocean – protecting it from waves and wind.
But over time, that marsh became open water because of sea level rise and human-caused changes to the Mississippi River that prevent new sediment from reaching the delta.
Without the marsh, the road became vulnerable to flooding during storms. And Joseph Orgeron of the nonprofit Restore or Retreat says on windy days …
Orgeron: “Two- and three-foot waves would be crashing on the roadside and basically putting a saltwater spray across the highway and the vehicles that pass.”
But he says that’s not happening any longer, thanks to a recent marsh restoration project.
The nonprofit Ducks Unlimited has used dredged sand to build about two dozen long terraces in the water. Volunteers with Orgeron’s group then planted them with cord grass and mangroves that trap sediment. And another project partner installed artificial reef blocks in the water.
The project now provides habitat for wildlife. It helps protect the coast from storms. And it breaks up waves so they don’t crash onto the road during high winds.
Orgeron: “Now that these terraces are in place, that doesn’t happen anymore.”
Reporting credit: Ethan Freedman / ChavoBart Digital Media
