Public
encouraged to report all marine debris locations
BATON ROUGE, La
- If you see debris in a Louisiana public waterway, "Report
It!" That is the message of a coalition of federal and
state agencies behind the Louisiana Marine Debris program,
which was created to identify, document and remove marine
debris caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita that continues
to litter the state's waterways.
"Two and a
half years after the storms, Louisiana still suffers from
the blight and safety issues caused by debris in our public
waterways," said Garrett Broussard, Marine Debris Coordinator
for the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the
lead agency managing the Marine Debris program. "The
ultimate goal of this program is to ensure that dangerous
debris is removed in a timely, comprehensive, cost-effective
and responsible manner."
The Louisiana Recovery
Authority (LRA) and the Governor's Office of Homeland Security
and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) called upon the federal
government last summer to reactivate marine debris removal
in Louisiana's waterways. After Hurricanes Katrina and Rita
in 2005, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) worked
with the United States Coast Guard (USCG) to remove large
pieces of marine debris from navigable commercial waterways.
However, much debris - including homes, boats and appliances
- remained, posing a safety risk to many recreational and
commercial boats.
As a result of
the efforts of the LRA and GOHSEP, FEMA and the USCG have
agreed to reactivate the Louisiana Marine Debris program.
FEMA has assured the state initial funding for an estimated
$400 to $500 million marine debris removal program to be run
by DNR.
"By working
with our state and federal partners we are finally able to
clear the fishing boats, 18-wheelers, refrigerators and even
displaced homes that have remained in Louisiana's waterways
since the storms of 2005," said LRA Board Member and
Chair of the Environmental Task Force Tom Henning. "I
encourage all those who have seen the hazardous debris in
our waterways to 'report it.' The participation of locals
is vital to the success of this program and the recovery of
our state."
The Louisiana Marine
Debris program relies heavily on local residents who use Louisiana's
waterways for commercial and recreational purposes to report
dangerous debris. Debris that is not reported will not be
considered for removal by the USCG.
Debris that is
reported is not automatically eligible for removal. In order
to be eligible, the debris must create an economic, environmental
or safety issue and have been caused by either Hurricane Katrina
or Rita. This program focuses primarily on the parishes south
of the I-10/I-12 corridor which include: Calcasieu, Cameron,
Jefferson Davis, Acadia, Vermilion, Lafayette, St. Martin,
Iberia, St. Mary, West Baton Rouge, Iberville, Assumption,
Terrebonne, East Baton Rouge, Ascension, St. James, St. John
the Baptist, St. Charles, Lafourche, Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines,
St. Bernard, Livingston, Tangipahoa and St. Tammany.
Currently, a team
of state officials is conducting parish-by-parish meetings
to explain the program and convey the essential roles parish
governments will play in this program. Once debris points
are documented each parish will have an opportunity to meet
with FEMA and the USCG to ensure their concerns are addressed
and to determine the eligibilty of identified debris.
"We are enlisting
the help of government organizations, marinas, commercial
charter companies, boat dealers and other private businesses
to help get the word out by posting and distributing flyers
and other information, " said Leo Richardson, State Marine
Debris Coordinator, GOHSEP. "The message is simple -
if you see, hit, snag or even hear about marine debris, tell
us where it is."
To report
debris, visit the Louisiana Marine Debris Web site at www.LouisianaMarineDebris.com
or call toll free at, 866.579.4DNR (866.579.4367). The call
center will be manned from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through
Friday. Callers can leave messages 24 hours a day, seven days
a week.
To help
spread the word about the Louisiana Marine Debris program
in your area, click here
for a copy of the flyer that is being distributed throughout
South Louisiana.
Hurricanes
Katrina and Rita devastated South Louisiana, claiming 1,464
lives, destroying more than 200,000 homes and 18,000 businesses.
The Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA) is the planning and
coordinating body that was created in the aftermath of these
storms to lead one of the most extensive rebuilding efforts
in the world. The LRA is a 33-member body which is coordinating
across jurisdictions, supporting community recovery and resurgence,
ensuring integrity and effectiveness, and planning for the
recovery and rebuilding of Louisiana.
