"The Louisiana response to land subsidence & coastal erosion"

Abstract

Based on interviews with representatives of state, local and federal agencies and with private interests, this papers reviews and assesses the responses made in Louisiana to the related problems of land subsidence and coastal erosion. The paper begins with a short review of the scientific evidence which indicates that Louisiana is losing more than 40 square miles per year to these phenomena. The paper then examines the process by which the various agencies involved have created policies and programs for addressing the problems of subsidence and erosion. The authors then enumerate the various strategies which have been adopted. The paper concludes with a few observations on the adequacy of the state, federal, local and private responses.