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Save the Delta

The Dutch PerspectiveNetherlands Building with Nature Alliance

Van Oord and Deltares

May 4, 2010

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The Problem

Massive oil spill is approaching the Mississippi Delta

Delta is home to 70% of the waterbird species of the US

400 species are threatened by oil spill

Delta is major production location for shellfish

The breeding season is starting now!

Massive spill, massive impact = need for massiveprotection measures

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Starting point Oil spill will continue for longer period (months)

Lower estimate 800.000 l/d, high est. 4.000.000l/d

11d of spill equals Exxon Valdez (using high est.)

420d of spill equals Gulf War I spill (high est.)

Utilize robust, large scale, low cost techniques to protectthe Delta area, based on Dutch know-how

Take measures that will benefit the Delta long term afterresolving of the spill, compensate ongoing erosion

Take measures with minimal impact on environment

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Large area vulnerable

Infinite coastline length

Impossible to defend

Impossible to clean

main trajectoryof oil spill

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Shortened coastline

Reduced vulnerable area

Focussed cleaning effort

Flush with Mississippi water

Saving the Delta

Reclaiming control? Yes we can!

Similar solutions possible foreastern part of Delta and other

states

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Principles Shorten the coastline and focus protective measures

Beaches are effective barriers for oil spill and beaches canbe cleaned better than marshlands

Sand can be nourished to create barrier beaches in front ofthe delta

Sand barriers (bunds) will reduce and concentrate inflow ofseawater into the Delta

Mississippi waterflow can be redirected to block inflow ofsea water into the inner delta

Sand barriers will protect Delta for longer period againsterosion and boost Chandelier Island chain

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Numbers

100-150 km of protective sandy bund needed

moving app. 40 - 80 million m3 of sediment

apply in 2-3 months? Flexible solution.

start immediately, scale up as soon as possible

Dutch effort in combination with US government (JonesAct needs to be bypassed)

Massive and swift deployment of dredging capacity

needed! Scale is feasible.

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Activities proposed

Create Alliance including governments (waive Jones Act)

Guarantee funding for mobilization

Mobilize Dutch dredging fleet

Propose detailed action plan maximal effectivity

minimal impact on dredging and nourishment locations

long term benefit

Guarantee funding for implementation

Start work within one week and scale up as quick aspossible

Start monitoring of effectivity and impacts

Adaptive execution strategy based on monitoring

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Questions

Where to find sufficient sources of sediment?

Conflicting uses of the area

Availability of dredging hardware

Distribution of oil spill next months

Optimization of location and design of barriers based onbathymetry and risk of contamination and value ofecosystem

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Where to find sufficient sources of sediment? Availability of dredging hardware

Distribution of oil spill next months

Optimization of location and design of barriers based onbathymetry, risk of contamination and value of ecosystem

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Our Proposal

Alliance now consists of Deltares and Van Oord but canbe extended according to needs.

Van Oord and Deltares start mobilizing tomorrowdepending on arrangement of funding

Louisiana or US federal authorities guaranteemobilization fund of 10.000.000 US dollar

Van Oord is committed to start nourishment operationwithin app. two weeks from now.

Detailed planning and engineering, waive of Jones Actneeds to be sorted in the meantime.

Depending on planning, the Alliance will upscale itsactivities as needed.