Collection:LPB

Genre: Documentary

Place Covered: Louisiana, Netherlands

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 2011-11-30

Duration: 01:28:44

Subjects: WETLANDS | Paul J. Rainey Wildlife Refuge and Game Preserve (La.) | Barrier islands | Atchafalaya Basin Program (La.) | LEVEES | Environment | COASTAL EROSION | COASTAL RESTORATION | Mississippi River Delta (La.) | Gulf Coast (La.) | National Audubon Society | Louisiana. Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority | FLOODS | FLOOD OF 1927 | Mississippi River floods, 2011 | DREDGING | BIRDS | Fisheries | MARSHES | Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve (La.) | United Houma Nation | United States. Army. Corps of Engineers | OIL INDUSTRY | GAS INDUSTRY | Old River Control Structure | Flood control

Contributors:

• Melton, Christina Producer
• Barnes, Liz Producer
• Fortenberry, Rex Q. Photographer
• Esneault, Mike Composer
• Perkins, Chuck Narrator
• Day, John Interviewee
• Boesch, Donald Interviewee
• Sallenger, Abby Interviewee
• Kemp, Paul Interviewee
• Zeringue, Jerome Interviewee
• Roberts, Harry Interviewee
• Tornqvist, Torbjorn Interviewee
• Reed, Denise Interviewee
• Allison, Mead Interviewee
• Driscoll, Melanie Interviewee
• St. Pe, Kerry Interviewee
• Swarzenski, Chris Interviewee
• Mendelssohn, Irv Interviewee
• Houck, Oliver Interviewee
• Barry, John Interviewee
• Muth, David Interviewee
• Turner, Gene Interviewee
• John, Chris Interviewee
• Robichaux, Brenda Dardar Interviewee
• Lagrange, Gary Interviewee
• Fleming, Ed Interviewee
• Accardo, Chris Interviewee
• Walsh, Michael Interviewee
• Demas, Charles Interviewee
• Vosburg, Brian Interviewee
• Graves, Garret Interviewee
• Lopez, John Interviewee
• Jindal, Bobby Speaker
• Matte, Timothy Interviewee
• Landry, Troy Interviewee
• Kroes, Dan Interviewee
• Meselhe, Ehab Interviewee
• Beall, Andrew Interviewee
• Twilley, Robert Interviewee
• Willson, Clint Interviewee
• Kolker, Alex Interviewee
• Jordan, Kent Interviewee
• Jordan, Marlon Interviewee
• Sinkler, Robert Interviewee
• Gerica, Peter Interviewee
• de Vriend, Huib Interviewee
• Luijendijk, Jan Interviewee
• Thorne, Colin Interviewee
• Wells, Ken Interviewee
• Castillo, Joe Performer

A 2011 documentary that examines the causes of coastal erosion in Louisiana, the proposed strategies for coastal restoration, and the competing interests in the region that rely on the coastal zone for survival. This program looks at the man-made causes of coastal erosion, including oil and gas extraction, canal cutting, deforestation, and the intentional drainage of swamplands for development, as well as natural causes, like subsidence, storms, and rising rivers and seas. It also explores multiple strategies for addressing the problem, including reengineering the mouth of the Mississippi River, using dredged sediment from the river, and other effective shoreline, barrier island, and marsh restoration techniques, as well as the heavily criticized plans for increased levee construction. It also features examples of successful restoration projects, including: the creation of marsh land due to the 2011 Mississippi River Flood; the National Audubon Society’s small-scale dredging project at the Paul J. Rainey Wildlife Sanctuary; back filling canals at the Jean Lafitte National Park and Preserve; and a pipeline sediment project at Bayou Dupont. It also examines the lessons learned from other nations facing similar issues, including the Netherlands. Through the creations of sand artist Joe Castillo, this documentary also touches on the impact of coastal land loss on the way of life for the United Houma Nation, Cajuns, the people of New Orleans, and coastal residents. Narrator: Chuck Perkins