THE LAKE PONTCHARTRAIN BASIN

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2 THE LAKE PONTCHARTRAIN BASIN The Lake Pontchartrain Basin is a 10,000 square mile watershed encompassing 16 Louisiana parishes. It is one of the largest estuarine systems in the Gulf of Mexico. The Basin s topography ranges from rolling woodlands in the north to coastal marshes in the south, with the 630 square mile Lake Pontchartrain as its centerpiece. The area contains the greatest density of Louisiana s population, including the New Orleans and Baton Rouge metropolitan areas. Louisiana Lake Pontchartrain Basin in red. cover photo courtesy of Mary Davis

3 The Foundation The Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation (LPBF), a non-profit organization with a citizen-elected board of directors, was established in 1989 to restore and preserve the Lake Pontchartrain Basin in Southeast Louisiana. LPBF operates by identifying and resolving major environmental issues in the Pontchartrain Basin watershed, focusing on water quality, habitat and coastal sustainability. LPBF STAFF Back- left to right: Carlton Dufrechou, Linda Delaney, Hazel Turlington, Anne Rheams, JoAnn Burke, Jill Mastrototaro, and John Lopez Front- left to right: Andrea Bourgeois-Calvin, Sheila Ehren-Englert, and Laura Jean Hoffpauir Not shown: Maggie Penfold-Scalise, Ronny Carter, Mary Davis, Brooke Englert, and Kyle Reidy Environmental Issues Since the late 1940 s, sprawl (poorly planned growth), urbanization, and natural processes have increased runoff and destroyed habitats in the Basin. This has resulted in degraded water quality, habitat loss, and coastal wetland loss. Water Quality Issues -Poorly treated sewage -Urban storm water runoff -Agricultural runoff Coastal Sustainability Issues Natural Causes -Shoreline erosion -Subsidence -Faulting Human Causes -Building levees -Dredging navigation channels -Mineral extraction Habitat Issues -Sprawl -Urbanization -Habitat loss

4 Addressing E n v i r o n m e n ta l I s s u e s W at e r Q u a l i t y P r o g r a m LPBF operates the most comprehensive water quality testing program in Louisiana, providing the public with weekly water quality reports on TV, radio and the website: targets Basin sub-watersheds to identify sewage pollution sources in alpbf Sub-Basin Pollution Source Tracking Program. LPBF provides free assistance to owners/operators of wastewater treament plants. LPBF partners with state, parish, and municipalities to address sewage and storm water/urban runoff issues around the Basin LPBF reduces agricultural runoff by working with dairy farmers to costruct, clean out, or close livestock retention lagoons.

5 H a b i tat P r o t e c t i o n P r o g r a m LPBF monitors the regulatory process for projects impacting the Pontchartrain Basin and engages the community in campaigns to protect resources such as founding the Save Our Cypress coalition. PBF promotes comprehensive land use planning and has produced a handbook to guide and encourage environmentally sensitive, low impact development in the Basin. LPBF serves as the public s voice at meetings and hearings on land use, habitat, and development issues. LPBF identifies essential habitat for land protection programs.

6 C o a s ta l S u s ta i n a b i l i t y Program LPBF devised the Multiple Lines of Defense Strategy for Coastal Sustainability (adopted by the CPRA and the LACPR) for coastal restoration and hurricane protection of South Louisiana. The soon to be closed Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MRGO), called by some a Hurricane Highway, joins with the Gulf Intracoastal Water Way (GIWW) and runs beneath the Paris Road Bridge. MRGO was built to provide deep draft vessels travel to the Port of New Orleans but also caused great saltwater intrusion and wetland loss in the St. Bernard Parish marshes making the region more vulnerable to hurricane storm surges. LPBF WORKS TO SECURE THE REGION S FUTURE WITH THE PONTCHARTRAIN COASTAL LINES OF DEFENSE PROGRAM which identifies 10 critical projects in the Pontchartrain Basin that provide coastal restoration as well as hurricane protection. LPBF COOPERATES WITH GOVERNMENTAL AGENCYS, Environmental groups AND Civic ORGANIZATIONS to present ideas to the public addressing critical coastal issues. Photo courtesy of Mary Davis

7 PUBLIC ACCESS PROGRAM LPBF developed plans for Bayou St. John and Pontchartrain Beach to restore these natural resources for public recreation. LPBF is reconstructing the New Canal Lighthouse in New Orleans as the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation New Canal Lighthouse Education Center to give citizens access to the lake and serve as an educational resource for Basin issues. Photo courtesy of the Times Picayune

8 E d u c at i o n / O u t r e a c h P r o g r a m FACILITATES a Water Watch Monitoring Program for students, serves as zonelpbf coordinator for Beach Sweep held in conjunction with the Ocean Conservancy s annual International Coastal Cleanup, and participates in the Ashley Marie Kelly Swim Safety Program. LPBF develops resources to educate and empower Basin citizens, including a Citizen s Guide to the Wetlands, Educator s Curriculum Guide, brochures on projects, a Basin E-bulletin, and a website with information on all LPBF programs. LPBF PROVIDES PRESENTATIONS to adults and students on Basin issues of water quality, habitat, and coastal sustainability.

9 Events/Fundraisers LPBF hosts the annual Back to the Beach Festival offering the best of New Orleans bands, food, arts & crafts and the opportunity to enjoy a beautiful sunset on our Lake. It also hosts the annual car show and run/walk. LPBF holds the annual Save Our Lake Fishing Rodeo in late spring for all ages, where participants enjoy recreation fishing on the lake. LPBF OFFERS the annual Save Our Lake Golf Tournament in spring with an enjoyable day of golf, great food, cocktails and prizes. LPBF invites Basin citizens to annual patron parties, including the South Shore Back to the Beach Patron Party and the North Shore Lets Make Waves Patron Party, offering music, cocktails, food and a silent auction. Golf tournament winners. Below: Back to the Beach at sunset.

10 Photo courtesy of Mary Davis Reflections of spring time on Bayou Lacombe. Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation

11 MISSION As the public s independent voice, the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation is dedicated to restoring and preserving the water quality and habitats of the entire Lake Pontchartrain Basin. Through coordination of restoration activities, education, advocacy, monitoring of the regulatory process, and citizen action, LPBF works in partnership with all segments of the community to reclaim the Basin for this and future generations. WAYS YOU CAN HELP Become a member of LPBF or give a gift membership to a friend (Memberships start at $20.) Sponsor and/or attend an event. Contribute to the LPBF New Canal Lighthouse Education Center. Consider a year-end contribution or memorial contribution. Contribute to the LPBF Endowment. Volunteer your time and talents. Put a Save Our Coast, Save Our Lake, and/or Save Our Lighthouse bumper sticker on your car to help promote awareness. P.O. Box 6965, Metairie, LA (504) Fax: (504)