Natural and Cultural Resources Recovery Support Strategy. Willis Gainer U.S. Department of the Interior

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1 Natural and Cultural Resources Recovery Support Strategy Willis Gainer U.S. Department of the Interior

2 Briefing Overview RSF 6 and what it covers Natural and Cultural Resource (NCR) Recovery Issues Proposed recovery strategy (project review) Current NCR cross-cutting projects Pathway forward to recovery and beyond

3 Natural and Cultural Resources Streams and Rivers clogged channels, bank erosion, debris removal Wetlands flood damages, contamination, debris deposition Fish and Wildlife endangered species, invasive species, damaged habitat Historic Properties damaged museums, historic sites, archeological sites, damaged artifacts Cultural Resources damaged cultural venues/events, damaged cultural landscapes Recreation resources damaged park lands, recreational facilities, trails, and recreational waterways

4 Natural and Cultural Resources (NCR) Recovery Activities In coordination with State agencies and FEMA, identified potential NCR projects Coordinated with our State Agency partners in developing Resource Recovery Strategies. Collaborated with Federal Agencies to seek assistance for State and local partners by providing expert guidance and potential grants for recovery projects. Arranged for technical assistance and future training by subject matter experts to enhance grant opportunities or resource protection.

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6 FDRC-RSF Timeline

7 NCR-Recovery Support Strategy: Issues Recovery Resiliency Sustainability Preparedness

8 Summary of NCR Recovery Issues Repair/replace/mitigate historic structures & museums. Develop a Statewide cultural resource geospatial database. Build capacity within Louisiana to train cultural resource professionals to protect resources in disasters. Reduce the impact of invasive species. Protect surface and ground water quality. Clean-up debris in ditches and culverts in watersheds. Assist with repairs to State Parks and other publicly managed lands & prevent future repetitive losses.

9 Damage to Historical and Cultural Resources St. Joseph s Abbey & Seminary, Covington Museums at Cassidy Park, Bogalusa Roque House, Natchitoches

10 Repair St. Joseph s Abbey & Seminary Repair 31 of 35 buildings, many historic, some dating back to Historic District Designation applied for by FEMA Restoration & Accessioning of collections, library materials and historic art work. Conversion of library material to digital format.

11 Damages to St. Joseph s Abbey

12 Repairs to Structures and Planning Needs for St. Joseph s Abbey Recommendation Repairs to structures and replacement costs Funds obligated to date: Federal Share - $9.9million; State payout $1.7million Additional costs to be determined Develop landscape management plan for trees along river Landscape management plan $75,000. Accountability/Ownership St. Joseph s Abbey LA Department of Culture, Recreation, and Tourism Supporting US Department of Agriculture US Fish and Wildlife Service US Army Corps of Engineers

13 Damages to Cassidy Park Museums - Bogalusa

14 Repair/Replace/Relocate Cassidy Park Museums Purchase New Building: Co-Locate Museums & Library Recover artifacts from Cassidy Park soil Restore/conserve collections Catalog and accession both collections Design and construct new displays Preparedness planning Outreach and marketing

15 Restore and Relocate Cassidy Park Museums Recommendation Purchase property in Bogalusa to restore and relocate the museums Estimated costs including purchase and restoration - $1.2 million Accountability/Ownership City of Bogalusa Supporting Agencies LA Department of Culture, Recreation, and Tourism U.S. National Park Service U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

16 Damages to Roque House- Natchitoches

17 Mitigate the Roque House

18 Repair and Mitigate the Roque House in Natchitoches Recommendation Develop a preservation plan for the building and implement mitigation measures to avoid future flooding damages Ownership Estimated Costs to be determined (National Park Service is coordinating) City of Natchitoches Natchitoches Historical Foundation Supporting Agencies National Park Service Caddo Adia Tribe LA Department of Culture, Recreation, and Tourism

19 Increase Capacity for Cultural and Historical Resources Management Geocode and collect site specific data for every cultural resource (CR) site in LA Produce a Geospatial Map of CR Resources Assemble CR data base for Louisiana Develop CR Disaster Preparedness Plan Training Program for staff of all 1780 facilities based on WESTPAS model

20 Cultural Resources Geospatial Database Network Recommendation: Develop all required descriptive and geographic data layers of known sites Develop statewide geospatial database in accordance to the National Preparedness Plan $2,000,000 Accountability/Ownership: Governor s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, State Historic Preservation Office State Library of Louisiana Louisiana State Museum Louisiana Archives and Records Services Supporting: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service National Center for Preservation Technology and Training Heritage Emergency National Task Force Louisiana Arts Council

21 Preparedness Training

22 Capacity Building for Cultural Resource Disaster Planning Recommendation: Train staff in 1500 cultural resource institutions in Louisiana at 10 training sites on disaster preparedness, emergency response, and collection salvage, including a scholarship program to defray travel costs, using training model developed by WESTPAS. $1,900,000 Alternatives: Conduct training programs in disaster planning using the training model developed by WESTPAS. No follow-up is provided to ensure institutions have created their plan or have practiced it. Without this training, fewer institutions would be prepared to address disasters, and fewer would have staff trained to carry out the plan. $1.3 million Accountability/Ownership: Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation, and Tourism, State Historic Preservation Office State Library of Louisiana Louisiana State Museum Louisiana State Archives and Records Services Governor s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP). Supporting Agencies: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, National Center for Preservation Technology and Training (NCPTT) Federal Emergency Management, Agency Heritage Emergency National Task Force (HENTF)

23 Reduce Impact of Invasive Species on the Natural and Agricultural Resources and Water-borne Commerce of Louisiana Study the Economic Impact of Invasive Species Update Louisiana Invasive Species Management Plan Determine Priority for development of Individual Species Plans Implement Invasive Species Management Plans

24 Reduce Impact of Invasive Species

25 Economic Impact of Invasive Species Recommendation: Conduct economic impact analysis of invasive species $175,000 Update state s invasive species plan $150,000 Accountability/Ownership: Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Louisiana Department of Agriculture Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism Supporting: U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)

26 Maintain the Ambient Surface and Groundwater Quality within the Limits Prescribed by the Clean Water Act

27 Protect Surface & Ground Water Quality 189,000 buildings flooded and potentially discharge wastes that threatened the safety of surface & ground water, critical habitat, recreation. Additionally, orphan drums contains contain hazardous substances that need to be characterized and suitably treated. The 7 Superfund sites across the state also threatened water safety, though there were no reported flooding impacts.

28 Protect Surface and Groundwater Quality Recommendation Continue current baseline water quality monitoring program by LDEQ Clarify FEMA policy in order to apply public assistance funds to inventory and remediate the orphan drums issue Costs - None Accountability/Ownership LA Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Supporting Agencies U.S. Environmental Protection Agency U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)

29 Recommendation: Increase the Ability for Emergency Debris Removal From Watersheds Increase funding for the Emergency Watershed Protection Program $3,000,000 Increase funding for USACE Continuing Authorities Program (CAP) $6,000,000 Waiver for study process in CAP Accountability/ownership: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) U. S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS)

30 Damages to Facilities & Infrastructure on State Public Lands Louisiana State Parks: Lake Bistineau Chemin-A-Haut Bogue Chitto Tickfaw Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries: Waddill State Wildlife Refuge

31 Damages to State Public Lands Loss of Sewage Treatment Plant at Lake Bistineau Damage to Cabins at Lake Bistineau and Chemin-A-Haut Damage to Roads, parking lots, trails, docks and piers at Lake Bistineau and Chemin-A-Haut, Tickfaw, and Bogue Chitto Damage to splash park infrastructure and campground electrical, bathrooms at Bogue Chitto Damage to Visitor Waddill State Wildlife Refuge

32 Damage to Resources in State Public Lands Recommendation Obtain funding for any funding gaps needed to repair/replace all facilities damaged in the floods Costs to be determined Revise and update the State Park Master Plan in order to qualify for Federal funding Accountability/Ownership LA Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism Office of State Parks Supporting Agencies U.S. National Park Service LA Department of Wildlife and Fisheries LA Office of Economic Development

33 Current Cross-cutting Projects National Park Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance City of Gonzales City of Denham Springs City of Natchitoches Poverty Point National Monument U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Technical assistance for green infrastructure to improve flood resilience Watershed assessment projects

34 Going Forward: Implementation of the Strategy Strategy Issues Proposed Projects Funded by RTF Implemented by RSF U.S. Department of the Interior Continue support for recovery efforts Provide technical assistance to State agencies and local governments Seek additional funding thru private/public partnerships and grants Continue partnerships and collaboration with Sate agencies and local governments

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