Louisiana's Vital Wetlands
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Regarding the July 20 news story "Gulf Waters Imperil Tribes' Way of Life in Louisiana Bayous":
The Post's reporting proved that our communities cannot be protected by levees alone. As wetland-to-water conversion devours land greater in area than Rhode Island, Louisiana has undertaken the task of constructing levees that will isolate the state's communities from the Gulf of Mexico. Yet a wall cannot be built around every home; it is inevitable that some people will be stranded on the other side.
Since Hurricane Katrina, we Louisianans have demonstrated our willingness to fight for the place we love. The Houma represent our state's history and culture, but they are not merely history -- they are a vital part of Louisiana's present and future. Thankfully, the restoration of the wetlands, made possible through the closure of man-made channels and the reintroduction of fresh water and sediment from the Mississippi River, can curb the loss. The Army Corps of Engineers has recently released a draft plan for Category 5 storm protection, but this report badly misses the mark by neglecting the importance of wetlands.
Any plan for Louisiana's future must include wetland restoration. Congress must direct the Corps to prioritize these options.
IMANI BROWN
New Orleans
The writer is an organizer at the nonprofit Gulf Restoration Network.
