Scientist says rebuilt coast won't save south Louisiana

[Thom Little]

Building better levees and restoring tattered marshes have taken center stage in the discussion over how to rebuild and protect Louisiana's hurricane-ravaged coast. The problem, says LSU researcher Roy Dokka, is that the entire coastal area is sinking much faster than previously thought -- and that means levees will have to be built even higher and the state's focus on rebuilding marsh is misplaced.

Dokka, whose ideas are not universally accepted by coastal experts, said he's had a hard time getting anyone to listen to his findings. For several years, he's been talking to state and federal officials about a report he completed for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Dokka says coastal Louisiana has subsided 2 to 4 feet since 1950. Some areas, including New Orleans east, are sinking 2 inches a year, he said.

"The levee that you thought was here is really here," Dokka said, showing his hand at different heights. "A foot makes a difference in Louisiana."



http://www.2theadvocate.com/stories/120505/new_coast001.shtml

[kevinbgoode]

1. For godsakes. . .hire the Dutch to do the job

I swear. . .the Republicans will do ANYTHING not to fork over any money for this rebuilding effort. If they were so sure the city was going to sink into the sea, then why the heck didn't they evacuate the entire region? Why have they allowed people, corporations, and the military to continue building there? I'm sorry - this is just so much crap.