THE BIG RIVER WORKS:Building Cooperation to Sustain the Mississippi River System

AMERICA’S WETLAND Foundation

• Established in 2002 by LA Gov. Mike Foster after comprehensive coastal study alerted nation on how loss of state’s wetlands would impact the nation.

• AWF serves as a neutral arbiter, bringing together diverse interests to ensure the sustainability of the Gulf coast.

• Yields information for the critical environmental and economic benefits for the nation, particularly the 31 states of the Mississippi watershed.

Balanced Dialogue – Broadening participation on energy and environmental issues.

Executive Briefings & Public Events – Informing the Obama Administration, policy and legislative leaders at federal, state and local levels; engaging citizens through information dissemination, media activities and high‐profile events such as DELTAS2010 and DELTAS2013VIETNAM:World Delta Dialogues and the Blue Ribbon Resilient Communities initiative.

Response to Crisis – Creating a rational dialogue to support economic and energy sustainability, while safely managing ecological assets of a working coast.

AMERICA’S WETLAND Foundation

AMERICA’S ENERGY COAST

Unique Positioning• Five Gulf States: Four energy producing states: Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, as well as Florida ‐ collectively known as America’s Energy Coast.

• Diverse Task Force of over 100 major businesses and industries, national environmental and conservation organizations, scientists and researchers, landowners and other coastal interests.

• Network of local, state and federal elected and administrative leaders.

AMERICA’S ENERGY COASTNational & Local Voices

• AEC Industry Council – consists of industry representatives from the Gulf Coast region.

• Honorary Leadership Council – a growing coalition of over 150 federal, state and local officials from the four states.

• AEC Task Force – comprised of over 100 leaders of government, industry, academia, NGOs, landowners from the region.

• Experts and Research Leaders – Best minds assembled to collect most relevant data.

• Elected & Administrative Officials – Non partisan elected representatives provide full participation.

America’s Energy Coast Leadership Forums

A National Project of the America’s WETLAND Foundation

BLUE RIBBONRESILIENT COMMUNITIES

Regional VoiceLocal ChoiceBenefits & Incentives

Emergency Rule Red Tape, Conflicting Policy Mitigation Correction Beneficial Use of Dredge Harbor Trust Fund Open Beneficial Use of Carbon Environmental Mitigation No Net Loss of Wetlands No Net Loss of Culture Energy & Ecology United FEMA Maps and Insurability

✓ Convene non‐partisan, balanced regional dialogue on local coastal issues

✓ Identify specific vulnerabilities of communities who comprise America’s Energy coast from Texas – Florida

✓ Bring in unique expertise to address the issues

✓ Honor core values and build local pride

✓ Serve as a catalyst for empowerment of individuals and communities

BLUE RIBBON RESILIENCY Leadership Forums of Americas Energy

Coast

Pre‐Forum• Environmental scan

• Meeting with local policy leaders• Individual interviews with diverse stakeholders

• Focus group with diverse stakeholdersForum

• Research findings & expert presentations• Working sessionsPost Forum

• Solicitation of public input• Report of Findings

• Follow‐up on recommendations for action

BLUE RIBBON RESILIENCY Leadership Forums of Americas Energy

Coast

AWF/ENTERGY GULF COAST Adaptation Study

Objective: Develop a comprehensive, objective, consistent fact base to quantify climate risks in the U.S. Gulf Coast and inform economically sensible approaches for addressing this risk.

First comprehensive analysis of climate risks and adaptation economics along the U.S. Gulf Coast

Granular, "bottom-up" analysis using a risk framework: Modeled 23 asset classes across residential, commercial, infrastructure, oil,

gas and utility Modeled 800 zip codes across 77 counties Simulated 10,000 hurricane "years" across multiple climate scenarios Modeled more than 50 adaptation measures

First time broad range of Gulf Coast stakeholders and experts engaged Discussed with more than 100 global, regional academics, government

officials, industry experts and NGOs Used credible, publicly available sources (e.g. IPCC climate scenarios,

FEMA, BEA, DOE EIA, MMS, Energy Velocity)

AWF/ENTERGY GULF COAST Adaptation Study

Hazards Overview Potential Change

Wind Related Damage

Damage can occur across Gulf Coast region and in areas further inland

Potential increase in wind speed of 1.4 ‐ 2.9% in 2030 (2.1 ‐ 10.2% in 2100) due to warmer sea surface temperatures

Sea Level Rise Key risk is along the coastline. Relative sea level rise by 5‐6 inches in 2030 (2.5 – 5 feet by 2100)

Storm Surge Risk is along coastline, linkedto hurricane events

• Storms can increase the impact of even modest levels of sea level rise.

• Could to lead to more frequent/severe flooding of coastal zones

AWF/ENTERGY GULF COAST Adaptation Study

BLUE RIBBON FORUMSFI

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Download a free copy at www.futureofthegulfcoast.com

RECOMMENDATIONS

Seek Urgent Federal ActionResolve Conflicting Federal Policies & Practices

Contradictory rules, regulations and agency priorities impede coastal restoration by delaying projects and increasing costs. A more orderly, efficient process must be established to meet urgent needs. 

RECOMMENDATIONS

Deploy Multiple Lines of DefenseDecrease Regional Vulnerabilities Through 

Cooperative Action

Short‐term thinking has led to consequence planning defined by inadequate, piecemeal fixes —mainly in the wake of disasters. The focus must shift to a long‐term vision for the future that emphasizes adaptation by using innovative, systemic approaches that incorporate non‐ structural and structural elements.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Allow Innovation & Enterprise to FlourishSupport Strategies To Facilitate regional Stewardship

Bureaucratic barriers and a lack of smart incentives hinder the development of creative, efficient coastal restoration strategies. Unless policies and plans harness the power of new technologies, visionary research, market forces and local ingenuity, environmental degradation will continue to outpace restoration and protection efforts.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Revitalize Regional Strengths & PrideEmpower Communities to Practice Self‐

Determination

Coastal degradation and mounting vulnerabilities threaten entire communities, cultures and a valued way of life. Local citizens must adapt to changing circumstances to preserve their cultural heritage and build the foundation for a stronger future. 

RECOMMENDATIONS

Sustain Action Based on RecommendationsCommunicate Regional Visions for Resiliency 

The degradation of the Gulf Coast will continue to accelerate without a robust, coordinated response that enlists all interested parties and every level of government.

WORLD DELTA HOT SPOTS

MK

MS

AWF TIMELINE

GOALS

Connect Delta To Mississippi River System

Outreach To 31 Mississippi Basin States and Stakeholders

Widespread Media Management For Wetland Issues

Programs To Engage Youth With Restoration

Balanced Voice For Regional Issues

• 3rd largest delta in the world• 4th largest watershed in the world, covering 31 states

• $7 billion in agricultural and forest products flow down river each year

• Generates billions of tourism dollars• 60% of North American birds use the river as a migratory flyway

• 25% of all North American fish species live in the watershed

STATISTICS

THE  BIG  RIVER  WORKSNew Orleans, LA  ‐May 31, 2012Focus: Connecting interests by identifying common purposes and shared goals.

THE  BIG  RIVER  THRIVESDucks Unlimited HQ – Memphis, TN  – October 17, 2012Focus: Sustaining vital ecosystems and habitats, such as flyways, fisheries and estuaries through improved awareness and systems management.

THE  BIG  RIVER  LIVESSt. Louis, MO – December 6, 2012Focus: Improving water quality and quantity by outlining partnerships to manage river access and carbon and nutrient loads.

THE  BIG  RIVER  PROVIDESMinneapolis/St. Paul, MN – January 17, 2013Focus: Connecting interests by identifying common purposes and shared goals.

THE  BIG  RIVER  MOVESChicago, IL – February 26‐27, 2013Focus: Keeping the river a viable passageway for commerce while sustaining criticalenvironmental features by connecting navigation, flood control, the beneficial use of dredge materials and coastal restoration.

THE HONORABLE PAT QUINN

ILLINOIS GOVERNOR

THE HONORABLE JAY DARDENNELOUISIANA LT. GOVERNOR

STEERING COMMITTEE CO‐CHAIRS

Joe AccardoExecutive Director, Ports Association of Louisiana

The Honorable John Alario, Jr.Senate President, State of Louisiana

Scott AngelleFormer Secretary, Louisiana Department of Natural Resources

Phil BassDirector, Gulf of Mexico Alliance

Dr. Donald BoeschPresident, Center for Environmental Science, University of Maryland

The Honorable John BreauxU.S. Senator (LA) 1987-2005

Valerie CahillChairperson of the Board, Port of New Orleans

The Honorable Joel T. Chaisson, J.D.Former Senate President & 29th Judicial District Court Judge, (ret.)Louisiana Legislature / St. Charles Parish

Zhongyuan Chen, Ph.DProfessor, State Key Laboratory for Estuarine and Coastal ResearchEast China Normal University, Shanghai

Doug DaigleHypoxia Program Director, Mississippi River Basin Alliance

Mark Davis, J.DDirector, Institute on Water Resource Law, Tulane University

John Day, Ph.DProfessor, Coastal Ecology Institute, Louisiana State University

Maj. Gen. Hunt Downer, ARNG, Ret.Former Speaker of the House, Louisiana Legislature

Sean DuffyExecutive Director, Big River Coalition

George Dunklin, Jr.Chairman, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

C. Berwick Duval, IIVice Chairman, Foundation for Louisiana

Efi Foufoula-Georgiou, Ph.DDirector, National Center for Earth-surface Dynamics, University of Minnesota

Karen GautreauxDirector of Government Relations, Louisiana Chapter, The Nature Conservancy

Teri GoodmanAssistant City Manager, City of Dubuque, IA

Claude GriffinSocial Investment Manager – Environment, Shell

Charles ‘Chip’ Groat, Ph.DPresident & CEO, The Water Institute of the Gulf

Dale HallCEO, Ducks Unlimited

Michael HechtPresident & CEO, Greater New Orleans, INC

The Honorable Kip HoldenMayor-President, City of Baton Rouge, LA

LT. Gen. Russel HonoréUS Army (Ret.)

Susan KaderkaSouth Central Regional Executive Director, National Wildlife Federation

The Honorable Mitch LandrieuMayor, City of New Orleans, LA

Steve Mathies, Ph.DAmerica’s Great Watershed Initiative

Irvin MayfieldArtistic Director, New Orleans Jazz Orchestra

Paul McIlhennyChairman & CEO, McIlhennyCompany (makers of Tobasco)

Doug Meffert, Ph.DVice President, National Audubon Society

Dale MorrisSenior Economist, Royal Netherlands Embassy

Chris Paola, Ph.DPrincipal Investigator, National Center for Earth-Surface Dynamics, University of Minnesota

Sarah PauleyDirector, Missouri Department of Natural Resources

Denise ReedLaboratory Director, Lake Ponchartrain Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of New Orleans

Randy RoachMayor, City of Lake Charles, LA

Sybil SeitzingerProfessor, Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences, Rutgers University

William Clifford SmithMember-Designee, Mississippi River Commission

The Honorable Mike Strain, D.V.MCommissioner, Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry

James SyvitskiExecutive Director, Community Surface Dynamics Modeling System, University of Colorado

Torbjorn Tornqvist, Ph.DDirector, NICCR Coastal Center, Tulane University

Robert Twilley, Ph.DExecutive Director, Coastal Sustainability Studios, Louisiana State University

The Honorable Jessica Upshaw, J.D.Representative, Mississippi House of Representatives

Wiliam Walker, Ph.DExecutive Director, Mississippi Department of Marine Resources

Marcia WillhiteBureau Chief, EPA Bureau of Water, Illinois

Warner WilliamsPresident, Gulf of Mexico Business Unit, Chevron Corporation

Jerome ZeringueExecutive Director, Office of Coastal Protection and Restoration, Louisiana

Steering Committee

How you can be involved:– Honorary Leadership Committee– Serve on the Steering Committee– Attend meetings– Contribute testimony & research

THE BIG RIVER WORKS

bigriverworks.orgContact us at:brw@americaswetland.com

VAL MARMILLIONManaging Director

America’s WETLAND Foundation

americaswetland@mcopr.com

Hotel & Early Registration Cut-off Date: Oct. 19

www.csg.org/2012nationalconference