Understanding Perspectives on Nonstructural Strategies in Louisiana's Southwest Coastal Project

The Southwest Coastal Louisiana Storm Risk Management and Ecosystem Restoration Project (referred to as the SW Coastal project) is a project run by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) to reduce hurricane and storm damage risk in a 4,700 square mile area located in Calcasieu, Cameron, and Vermilion Parishes. Due to the low elevation, flat terrain, and proximity to the Gulf of Mexico in these Parishes, the people, economy, environment and cultural heritage are at risk of flooding from tidal surge and waves from tropical storms. Land subsidence, combined with sea-level rise, is expected to increase the potential for coastal flooding, shoreline erosion, saltwater intrusion, and loss of wetland and Chenier habitats in the future. The Corps intends to combat both chronic and acute weather events by a series of measures including nonstructural measures and ecosystem restoration.