RS22276
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and the Coastal Louisiana Ecosystem Restoration
November 18, 2005
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Summary
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita caused widespread damage and destruction along the central Gulf Coast. Prior to these hurricanes, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had been seeking approval from the 109th Congress for a $1.1 billion multi-year program to both construct five projects that would help to restore portions of the coastal wetland ecosystem in Louisiana and continue planning several other related projects. The state of Louisiana and several federal agencies have participated in the development of this program. This report introduces this program, and discusses whether it might have muted the impacts of hurricanes of the magnitude and paths of Katrina or Rita and whether the devastation caused by both hurricanes might cause the Corps to consider different restoration options. The National Research Council issued a report in November 2005 that may help inform the current debate over restoration. This report will be updated.
