Abstract: Pipeline Impacts In Vegetated Wetlands

EMMANUEL J. RUSSO
PG, Geologist, URS-Greiner, New Orleans, LA;
THOMAS E. HUNTER
Planner, URS-Greiner, New Orleans, LA;
RAYMOND SAUVAGE
Zoologist, URS-Greiner, New Orleans, LA;
CHRISTEE HERBERT
Marine Biologist, URS-Greiner, New Orleans, LA

Louisiana contains approximately 40% of all coastal wetlands in the contiguous United States. These wetlands yield nearly one-fifth of the total U.S. production of oil and approximately one-third of U.S. production of natural gas. In addition the wetlands provide fertile habitat for harvest of fur bearing animals, finfish, shellfish and waterfowl. They also provide numerous other public benefits such as recreational opportunities and coastal protection from tropical storm events.

Most of the coastal wetlands of Louisiana are a result of the Mississippi River Delta building process. However, this Deltaic building process has been reversed in recent history through complex interaction of physical, chemical, biological, and human-influences. Human-induced direct impacts primarily include agricultural, urban expansion, flood control, and channelization, canalization and spoil bank construction.

This paper presents a summary of the various man-influences and qualifies the direct and secondary impacts to vegetated wetlands. The presentation reviews current applicable legislation and mitigation technologies and includes a review of recent study completed by URSG/LDNR while addressing pipeline construction impacts, mitigation efforts and lessons learned.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90932©1998 GCAGS/GCS-SEPM Meeting, Corpus Christi, Texas