What are coastal lines of defense?
- In Q and A
The coastal lines of defense are natural and man-made land features necessary to protect coastal Louisiana's unique culture and productive economy for the next hundred years. Coastal Louisiana's natural resources along with the land people live in and work on face more danger from storms and sea level rise then ever before. By building up the coastal lines of defense we can reduce the risks and protect our homes, community and economy.
The coastal lines of defense work by reducing storm surge flooding, subsidence, erosion, saltwater intrusion, and habitat destruction. Barrier islands, restored marshes, and ridges are natural lines of defense for coastal Louisiana's protection. They reduce storm surge and provide healthy habitat for wetland plants and animals. Properly designed and built levees, flood gates and pump stations reduce the threat of flooding in our communities and are also lines of defense. Finally, safely raising your home and having a sound evacuation and emergency plan lessens the impacts of flooding when it does occur. Together, theses lines of defense help reduce the future costs of coastal flooding on the people, the economy and the culture of the region for years to come.
