Related Shoreline and Estuary News
May 2019
Louisiana gets nearly $95 million for coastal restoration from federal oil revenue-sharing pact
June 2016
The Nature Conservancy at the Gulf of Mexico Alliance Conference
Wayfarer Environmental Technology's OysterBreak™ was used by The Nature Conservancy as a major physical example of how to Restore the Gulf at this month's Gulf of Mexico Alliance Conference.
November 3, 2015
Encouraging Private Investments in America's Natural Resources
This week, the President signed a Presidential Memorandum to accelerate restoration efforts and incentivize private investment in our land, water and wildlife.
Across the country, the private sector is increasingly looking for opportunities to invest in solutions that restore natural resources. Impact investors like these seek measurable environmental benefits alongside conventional return on capital.
Read the original article by Christy Goldfish, www.Whitehouse.gov.
October 2015
BP settlement plan
The previously announced settlement agreement between the U.S., 5 gulf States and BP has now moved to formal consent decree stage, with the details of the decree now available for public comment. For details and information on how you comment, please see this excellent summary by the Environmental Law Institute. The comment deadline is December 4, 2015.
Proposal to use coastal funds for LA Highway 1
I’ve already spoken to many of you directly about this issue, and several business partners joined our campaign’s display ad (copy attached) that ran today in Baton Rouge and New Orleans papers. This ad was in response to a proposal by Gov. Jindal, now pending before the state’s coastal agency, CPRA, to divert funds previously designated and promised for coastal restoration, for use on LA Highway 1 construction. We are concerned that this would create a dangerous precedent of tapping coastal restoration funds for other state needs, at a time when we still face a long term shortfall in reaching the funding that will be needed to fully implement the state’s coastal master plan. We are now hearing political support for NOT diverting the monies in the proposed manner, from all of the Louisiana gubernatorial candidates, as reported Friday 10-16-15 in the Advocate. This proposal will be voted on at the next CPRA meeting.
CPRA meeting expected to announce diversion priorities/actions
Also on the agenda for the next CPRA meeting is an announcement by CPRA of what its priority plans for diversions will be. While no major changes in past presentations are expected, we think this will be an important opportunity to hear what they are planning and prioritizing for actual construction and at what level. As the public moves beyond the simplistic (and uninformed) debate over ‘Are diversions good or bad?’ to the more thoughtful question of ‘How can diversions be built to maximize land building and minimize adverse impacts on stakeholders?’ the agency needs to demonstrate that it has growing public support. It is important that business that care about coastal restoration stay informed on these issues, and whenever possible, speak up in support of the full range of tools in the State Master Plan toolbox for stopping coastal erosion -- sediment pipelines, wetlands creation, barrier island strengthening, and river diversions, among others. Each type of project compliments and makes the other projects more sustainable in the long run, and all are needed.
- Original content from James K. Wyerman, Director of Strategic Partnerships & Communications, Mississippi River Delta Program, Environmental Defense Fund
August 31, 2015
Corps Must Pay Entire Cost of MR-GO Wetlands Restoration
U.S. District Judge Lance Africk has ruled the Corps is fully responsible for the entire cost of restoring wetlands damaged by the Mississippi River - Gulf Outlet project.
- Original article by Mark Schleifstein, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune.
June 23, 2015
Gov. Bryant highlights plans to boost MS oyster industry
The governor's oyster council have announced harvesting goals and related initiatives to revitalize the state's oyster industry.
- Original article by WLOX staff, WLOX News / WLOX.com.
April 20, 2015
BP Oil Spill Anniversary: Four Innovative Coastal Restoration Projects
Artificial oyster reefs are an increasingly popular weapon against storm surges and forceful waves. ORA Estuaries, a startup company in New Orleans, has designed a system that works a lot like Lego blocks. Heavy rings of concrete - weighing between 1,400 and 3,000 pounds - are piled as high and wide as necessary for each reef project. This 'stickability" sets the OysterBreak technology apart from other reef designs, says Tyler Ortego, ORA's founder and only full-time employee. Oysters grow on the rings, adding an extra layer of protection, and the reefs can be easily expanded over time to account for rising sea levels.
- Original article by Maria Gullucci, International Business Times.
March 12, 2015
Wayfarer Environmental Technologies installs Coastal Protection in St. Mary
In April 2015, Wayfarer Environmental Technologies begins installing OysterBreak rings at Point Chevreuil to help prevent further coastal erosion. This project is solely targeted for erosion control since the high fresh water content in the area will not support growing oysters. Wayfarer's OysterKrete, not used in this project, is already proven to encourage and support oyster habitats.
- Original article by Zachary Fitzgerald of the Daily Review.
December 19, 2014
America's WETLAND Foundation Report
According to Zach Bienvenu's article, attendees of the fourth quarter 2014 meeting at Tobasco are working to integrate and leverage private sector participation in Louisiana's coastline preservation and restoration. Key decision-makers and influencers are shining a light on the benefits of promoting, funding, and leveraging private sector resources.
- Original article from Zach Bienvenu for America's WETLAND and associated information.
October 30, 2014
Where bulkheads fail, living shorelines thrive
... With the project in Lewes, and in similar project at the Indian River Inlet and in New Jersey, the partnership is trying to design a shoreline that is effective while still environmentally friendly.
... The reason behind selecting such a visible site is simple - to show property owners and municipalities there is an alternative to bulkheads.
... Living shorelines vary site to site, depending on the conditions and needs of an area. The Lewes site uses coconut fiber logs, more than a foot wide and about 10 feet long, to create a bench for mud and water to settle into.
... The goal is to have plants and animals return to the shoreline over time. Mussels and oysters are especially important because both have strong adhesives and stick togehter, Kreeger said, creating an armor.
... Over time and through big storms, Moody believes the attitudes about bulkheads are changing.
"People are seeing the hardened stuff fail," he said.
And while bulkheads and rip rap were long considered the best protection, that is not really the case, he said.
October 21, 2014
Weather Channel Founder Challenged UCLA to Offer Balanced Climate Change Debate
October 21, 2014 – John Coleman, founder of The Weather Channel, is urging UCLA’s Hammer Museum to provide balance to a presentation titled “Tackling Climate Change Nationally and Globally” on Thursday, October 23. The presentation, according to the museum’s website, will “examine the issue” that “despite the overwhelming scientific consensus that global warming is a danger to the planet, little progress has been made to reduce CO2 emissions.” The only presenters are controversial global warming alarmists Michael Mann and Brenda Ekwurzel.
Installation of OysterBreak units were highlighted in a recent video produced by America's Wetlands. The video will be aired nationally.
October 13, 2014
LA $14.2M Coastal Impact Grants Questioned by Interior Inspector General
Various land valuation questions have raised concerns with the U.S. Department of the Interior Inspector General regarding $14.2M spent on coastal restoration projects funded under the federal Coastal Impact Assistance Program. - Interior Inspector General questions $14.2M of Coastal Impact grants to Louisiana, parishes - Read More
September 4, 2014
BP Grossly Negligent in 2010 Spill, Will Appeal
A federal judge has ruled that BP was grossly negligent with regard to the 2010 offshore oil spill. The case included Transocean Ltd. and Halliburton Co. - BP Found Grossly Negligent in 2010 Spill, Fines May Rise - Read More
July 2, 2014
Coastal Restoration Drives An Industry Boom
Through new Louisiana state funding plus federal and private dollars the buisiness of coastal restoration is growing and profitable. Marine and coastal service industries in Louisiana are now busy with coastal restoration projects. In-state manufacturers such as Wayfarer Environmental Technologies are also seeing growing business opportunities with their OysterBreak semi-artificial oyster reef technology. - Coastal Restoration Drives an Industry Boom - Read More
June 2, 2014
St. Bernard Gets Oyster Reef Shoreline Protection
Construction of a new oyster reef using Wayfarer Environmental Technology's OysterBreak technology is underway. It will protect a portion of the St. Bernard shoreline by hosting generations of oysters that will cement the structure into a massive artificial oyster reef. - St. Bernard gets oyster reef to help protect shoreline - Read More
March 4, 2014
Louisiana Coastline is Disppearing Too Quickly
That the Louisiana coastline is disappearing is increasingly evident in the area around the Buras, Louisiana. But, some coastal concerns are looking to fight back the devastating erosion and Wayfarer Environmental Technologies hopes to have an opportunity to help. - Louisiana's Coastline is Disappearing Too Quickly for Mappers to Keep Up - Read More
February 28, 2014
Chesapeake Bay Cleanup - States versus EPA
Attorneys general in 21 states are fighting to block EPA polution limits designated to improve the health of the Chesapeake Bay, fearing the Obama administration will use that authority to regulate wetlands in their states. - States fear 'power grab' by EPA in Chesapeake Bay cleanup effort - Read More
February 3, 2014
Louisiana - Army Corps agreement to provide new money for coastal restoration projects
Louisiana may have found an unusual source of money to help pay for restoring the state’s coastal wetlands: fees required of developers by the Army Corps of Engineers to compensate for damage they expect to do to wetlands. Louisiana - Army Corps agreement to provide new money for coastal restoration projects - Read More
November 14, 2013
NFWF Announces More Than $100 Million for Restoration Projects on the Gulf Coast
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) announced the initial obligation of funds as part of the Gulf Fund. NFWF Announcement - $100 Million for Restoration Projects - Read More
November 14, 2013
State to Receive $67.9 million for Louisiana Coastal Master Plan Projects
Louisiana is receiving $67.9 million to advance projects designed to improve the marine and coastal environments, ecosystems, and habitats in the Gulf of Mexico and bordering states harmed by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. CPRA - Louisiana to Receive $67.9 million for Coastal Master Plan Projects - Read More
May 13, 2013
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation fund is launched to restore Louisiana, Gulf Coast natural resources
The Gulf Coast including Louisiana, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi and Texas will share in the new $1.27 Billion Gulf Environmental Benefit Fund announced recently by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Gulf Environmental Benefit Fund of $1.27 Billion - Read More
January 29, 2013
The Path Forward to Restoring the Gulf Coast: A Proposed Comprehensive Plan
The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council today published a paper detailing a proposed plan for Gulf Coast Restoration. "This document reflects the deliberations of the Council to date in developing a more detailed initial Comprehensive Plan. Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council - Read More
January 7, 2013
Louisiana Announces Expansion of Maurepas Wildlife Management Area
The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) of Louisiana announced on January 7, 2013 the acquisition of 11,145 acres of forested wetlands on the north short of Lake Maurepas in Livingston and Tangipahoa parishes. Reported by The Times Picayune - Read More
January 3, 2013
Transocean to pay $1.4 billion to settle pollution, safety violations in Gulf oil spill
Transocean, owner of the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig involved in the BP gulf oil spill has agreed to plead guilty to a single criminal misdemeanor violation of the Clean Water Act and pay $1.4 billion in civil and criminal fines to settle violations of the Clean Water Act and federal offshore drilling safety regulations. Reported by The Times Picayune - Read More
November 15, 2012
What the BP Criminal Settlement brings to Coastal Louisiana
This November 15, 2012 article outlines the impact of the recent BP settlement on criminal charges related to the Deepwater Horizon disaster for Louisiana and Coastal Restoration. Reported by the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana.