Happy August! Despite the rain and the heat, this has been a busy summer for us at Restore the Mississippi River Delta. As we further progress into the heart of hurricane season, let’s remember to keep our guards up. Be sure to prepare a personal evacuation plan during this time when we tend to have severe storms come our way (visit GetAGamePlan.org). This month we reflect on the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, new changes in the river, as well as upcoming events hosted by partnering organizations.

My name is Taya Fontenette, and I am the Outreach Intern with the National Wildlife Federation. As a New Orleans native, I am glad this coalition has given me the opportunity to support environmental policy and infrastructure in my home state. I've truly enjoyed learning about MRD’s efforts to restore the shore, and I look forward to increasing engagement across the coast.

Enjoy the latest edition of our Delta Dispatches Newsletter!

17th ANNIVERSARY OF HURRICANE KATRINA

This August we mark the 17th anniversary of the day Hurricane Katrina made landfall on August 29, 2005. The storm devastated the coasts of Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi. It forced a storm surge that breached New Orleans’ levee system in more than 50 locations, flooding 80% of the city. Hurricane Katrina was the costliest and one of the deadliest hurricanes to strike the United States in recorded history. In all, Hurricane Katrina was responsible for 1,833 fatalities, over $150 billion in damage, and alarming harm to Louisiana's coastline. The storm's legacy includes being the catalyst for large government investment in effective storm protection and coastal restoration. It also serves as a tragic case study of environmental injustice endured by New Orleans residents, particularly those who were minorities, elderly, or low-income.

NEPTUNE PASS

About 55 miles southeast of New Orleans lies the newly created Neptune Pass, a cutoff channel that connects the Mississippi River with Breton Sound. Over the past several years, it has continued to expand, diverting more and more water from its parent river into Quarantine Bay.. In 2016, the pass was 150 feet across; it’s since grown to 850 feet and now captures 16% of the river’s flow. Too much river water is being diverted now, slowing water flow down the main channel and causing issues for the navigation of larger ships. On the other hand, a new delta may be forming in the area as lumps of land seem to be forming. This is leading state officials to view the breach as an opportunity to allow the river to restore lost wetlands. The Army Corps of Engineers is planning to put down a blanket of rocks where the channel begins to stop erosion and slow the rate at which water is escaping into the basin, but still allow boats to use the pass. 

CRCL FUTURE COASTAL LEADERS

The Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana (CRCL) is excited to inform you about our Fall 2022 Future Coastal Leaders Program, designed to teach college and university students about the challenges facing our coast and encourage them to become engaged coastal stewards through experiential learning, networking, and advocacy! As students establish their education and career goals, the FCL program provides awareness of local environmental issues and opportunities to engage as residents, advocates, or future coastal professionals. 

• Network: Meet peers from other institutions and environmental professionals
• Learn: Virtual meetings will occur approximately one Wednesday evening biweekly, with in-person learning and volunteer experiences offered throughout
• Engage: Work collaboratively or independently on projects that expand your understanding of the issues and/or offer a direct impact
• Undergraduate and Graduate students are welcome

We seek to engage a diverse spectrum of students who will help guide the future of coastal restoration and connect them to the growing environmental field! Use this link here to apply. Please share this opportunity with students in your network. More information can be found on our website.

Join CRCL on Saturday, September 10, for a hands-on coastal restoration tour down the Mississippi River. We will travel from New Orleans, through St. Bernard, and down to the border of Plaquemines Parish. This guided bus tour will include several stops to learn about restoration projects and priorities, featuring a stop at CRCL's Restoration Headquarters where you can experience how we engage volunteers and even help in constructing our own restoration projects. Offered at no cost to high school or college students with bus pick-up and drop-off in New Orleans and Baton Rouge. This is a full-day field trip (approx. 9-5) with lunch, refreshments, and snacks provided; plus, a special gift for those in attendance! *Exact pick-up locations and times will be provided upon registration. Register here!

WATER COLLABORATIVE PLANTER BOX COMPETITIOn

The Planter Box is a unique competition focused on bringing designers, creators, students, engineers, and architects together around a community challenge using the humble planter box. This competition showcases the many challenges residents of Southeast Louisiana are facing, including climate change, environmental injustice, and food sovereignty. Their goal is to encourage design and innovation in a city desperate for solutions by creating a fun and easy-to-install planter box that can house fresh produce. This year's competition client is the Grand Bayou Tribe of Plaquemines Parish, who are struggling to adapt fast enough to the impacts of climate change. Check out the winning designs here!

UPCOMING EVENTS

August 18th - Eternal Flow Screening: Join us at Docville Farms from 5-7pm for a FREE viewing of “Eternal Flow” – a documentary about the way Louisiana encounters the river, showcasing intriguing perspectives and a-ha! moments. Dinner will be served for the first 80 people. Panel discussion at the end of the screening.

August 20th – Pontchartrain Conservancy’s Storm Aware & Prepare ll

September 10th – CRCL Guided Bus Tour: High school and college students are encouraged to join for a hands-on coastal restoration tour down the Mississippi River. This is a full-day field trip (approx. 9-5) with lunch, refreshments, and snacks provided; plus, a special gift for those in attendance! Register here!

September 17th – NOLA East Festival: In a city of festivals, one part of New Orleans doesn't want to be forgotten. The festival will be an annual event embracing diversity, music, and culture at Joe W. Brown Memorial Park from 11am-7pm.