Campbell, Thomas

This paper reviews physical, geologic and environmental parameters of Louisiana barrier islands to support the definition of regional strategies and management practices for long-term coastal restoration. For management purposes the barrier island systems of Louisiana are divided into a series of coastal segments to be maintained over the long term. Recommendations are drawn for each coastal segment on the basis of biophysical properties. Two separate design approaches for barrier island restoration are elucidated (stable location design and retreat design) including sediment volume requirements for the restoration of specific barrier islands. In order to maintain long-term stability, intensive restoration programs require barrier island nourishment, vegetative plantings, and coastal structures in some cases. Restoration strategies, practices, and design approaches are refined by employing monitoring data in an adaptive management process.

In this paper, we review physical, geological, and environmental parameters of the Louisiana Chenier Plain to support the definition of regional strategies and management practices for long-term coastal restoration along this coastal segment. For management purposes, the Chenier Plain of Louisiana is divided into three main coastal segments that could be maintained over the long term. Recommendations are drawn for each coastal segment on the basis of bio physical properties. Approximate volumetric requirements for coastal restoration based on historical rates of shoreline change are presented. Discussions of potential sand resources are based on data published in the professional literature. Compared with the Louisiana barrier islands, the Chenier Plain is less well known; consequently, there is significantly less data related to shoreline change, sedimentology, beach profiles, and large-scale geomorphological evolution. Future restoration projects in this coastal region must direct attention toward obtaining essential coastal data that is lacking for many coastal segments along the Louisiana Chenier Plain.