Restore Americas Estuaries 5 th National Conference

Transcription

1 Restore Americas Estuaries 5 th National Conference Richard Raynie Chief, LACES Division OCPR Patricia Strayer, PE Principal Engineer Dynamic Solutions, LLC

2 KRR and LCA are bookends in progress of federal ecosystem restoration Kissimmee River Restoration First large scale ecosystem restoration $500 million was too expensive in 1992 Goal was purely based on ecosystem values First project to include restoration evaluation/adaptive management Louisiana Coastal Area Ecosystem Restoration Most recently authorized federal large scale ecosystem restoration project (2007) Total project cost exceeds $2 Billion (scaled back from original $14B plan) Prepared pre-katrina, but authorized post-katrina Objectives are ecosystem focused Adaptive management plans are a required component of feasibility reports

3 Kissimmee River Valley, circa 1955

4 Channelization of Kissimmee River/Floodplain

5 Kissimmee River Restoration was First Large Scale Ecosystem Restoration Project Kissimmee River was channelized by the Corps of Engineers as part of the Central and Southern Florida Flood Control project in the 1960 s State of Florida initiated restoration effort in early 1970 s First feasibility study completed in 1984 WRDA 1986 included language to include assessing a value to environmental benefits KRR feasibility study was first federal study to use 1986 language that made environmental benefits equal to cost

6 Kissimmee River Restoration Goal and 6 restoration criteria Restore the self sustaining integrity of the river/floodplain ecosystem. Continuous flow with duration and variability characteristics comparable to pre-channelization records Average flow velocities between feet per second when flows are contained within channel banks A stage-discharge relationship that results in overbank flow along most of the flood plain when discharges exceed 1,400 2,000 cfs Stage recession rates on the flood plain that typically do not exceed 1 foot per month Stage hydrographs that result in flood plain inundation frequencies comparable to pre-channelization hydroperiods

7 KRR Project Features 50/50 cost share USCOE/SFWMD $683,000 Backfill 22 mi of C-38 canal Reconnect ~ 45 mi of river channel Remove 2 water control structures Headwaters Headwaters Revitalization Project Provides restoration inflows Comprehensive restoration evaluation program thru 2018

8 KRR authorized by WRDA /50 cost sharing between state and USACE Land rights were part of total project cost In-kind work by the state was included First time restoration evaluation was part of total project cost. Project was scaled back after draft was presented to public, due to impacts to residential areas and cost.

9 KRR Construction Process Four miles of C-38 is in the process of being backfilled Two earthen plugs temporarily in place to construct river connection

10 KRR set the stage for other large scale ecosystem restoration projects In 1990 USACE missions were flood protection, navigation, water supply and recreation. In 1996 USACE shifted mission to include ecosystem restoration. Prior to KRR restoration response/evaluation was not a project cost or USACE responsibility. Now all ecosystem restoration projects include restoration evaluation and adaptive management. KRR was pure ecosystem restoration which opened the door for multipurpose ecosystem restoration projects.

11 KRR opened the pathway for Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Sustainable River/Flood plain Ecosystems 2,000 cfs high river flow 3,000 sq mi watershed Sustainable Coastal Ecosystems Unique Coastal Heritage Storm Risk Reduction Kissimmee River Restoration 2, ,000 cfs projects 2,300 sq mi of land lost Fish & Wildlife Activities Louisiana Coastal Protection & Restoration Ecosystem restoration value for project justification Project evaluation becomes a cost of the project Adaptive management is accepted and required

12 Mississippi River Management Historical Distributaries the of Mississippi River By Jakob Rosenweig, Tulane University 12

13 Deltaic Processes 13

14 Land Loss Doing nothing is NOT an option Possible future land loss by 2100 Blum & Roberts, 2009 Historic ( ) and potential future ( ) land loss, USGS 14

15 Single vs Integrated projects Caernarvon Freshwater Diversion LCA Delta Management Study Considers: Wetlands Fisheries Ecosystem Restoration Considers: Wetlands Fisheries Ecosystem Restoration Navigation Water Supplies Dredging Oil & Gas exploration And more

16 State Master Plan CIAP Coastal Impact Assistance Program CWPPRA Coastal Wetlands Planning Protection and Restoration Act LACPR USACE LA Coastal Protection & Restoration State Surplus LCA LA Coastal Area Hurricane Storm Damage Reduction GOMESA Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act

17 Master Plan Objectives Reduce economic losses from storm-based flooding Promote a sustainable coastal ecosystem by harnessing the processes of the natural system Provide habitats suitable to support an array of commercial and recreational activities coast-wide Sustain the unique heritage of coastal Louisiana by protecting historic properties and traditional living cultures and their relationships to the natural environment

18 Coastal Resiliency & Master Plan 1) Reduce economic losses from stormbased flooding: Structural & Non-Structural Protection 2) Promote a sustainable coastal ecosystem by harnessing the processes of the natural system River Diversions (gravity) 3) Provide habitats suitable to support an array of commercial and recreational activities coast-wide Fisheries, Oil & Gas, Navigation 4) Sustain the unique heritage of coastal Louisiana Louisiana has deeply rich cultural heritage and traditions

19 Restoration Projects Protection Projects Coastal Resiliency Constructed Projects in O&M

20 Cooperation & Collaboration Puget Sound Great Lakes CALFED Missouri River Chesapeake LCA Science Board Deltaic Geology Coastal Geomorphology Coastal Hydraulic Engineering Marine & FW Fisheries Wildlife Ecology Social Science Wetland Ecology Estuarine & Deltaic Nutrient Dynamics River Hydraulics Kissimmee River Everglades 20

21 Path Forward Not IF, but HOW Larger, programmatic scale Improvements in selection & prioritization Improved decision-support tools Synergies & Opportunities Sequencing implementation & operations Identify and articulate trade-offs 21

22 Restore Americas Estuaries 5 th National Conference Richard Raynie Richard.Raynie@LA.gov Patricia Strayer, PE pkstrayer@dsllc.com