The United States is losing its wetlands at an alrming rate. Since the 1700s we have lost over half.
In 1950 we had lost 35%, and in the last 50 years we've lost an astounding 15%. From the 1950s through the 1970s, the ground lost is equal to Connecticut, Massachusettes, and Rhode Island.
These losses have seen an increase in flooding and erosion. When speaking of wetland destruction, Louisiana must ecieve special mention. Louisiana accounts
for 90% of the total loss of U.S. coastal ground. Louisiana lost 1900 square miles of coast during the 20th century and stands to lose
700 square miles over the next fifty years. By 2050 we stand lose one-third of the Louisiana coast
to the Gulf of Mexico. Every 24 minutes Louisiana loses one acre of coast. Besides being the most endangered American Wetland, the Louisiana coast is the also one of the most important.
The Louisiana coast is the 7th largest delta in the world, and is home to 40% of the U.S. tidal marshes.
It is home to ten national wild life refuges, and one national park encompassing 500 square miles. The loss of Louisiana wetlands affects us all. These wetlands protect the U.S. oil and gas infrastructure responsible for heating and cooling U.S. homes, and fueling one-fourth of U.S. cars.
Louisiana wetlands is also home to the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve, a necessity during national emergencies.
They also protect our coast from storms. Knowing this, it becomes apparant why the Louisiana coast is known as America's Wetland. There are many causes of the destruction of wetlands; however, the extreme loss of the Louisiana coast is a direct result of human interference. From 1928 through 1963, many dams, levees, and other
structures were erected along major tributaries of the Mississippi River. This reduced the amount of sediment being delivered to the coastal marshlands by more than two-thirds.
Restoration projects are expected to cost $14 billion over the next forty years; however, the cost of inaction would be far
greater at an estimated $100 billion in infrastructure. |