Eutrophication:
Eutrophication
Mississippi River
Delta
Nutrient pollution in the Mississippi
River Delta
Content
1. Key terms associated with Eutrophication
2. Causes and effects of Eutrophication
3. Area of focus
4. Purpose of wetlands
5. Economic value of wetlands
6. Solution
7. Allocation of $20,000,000 and long term vision
Term Definitions
-Eutrophication: the process by which excess nutrients (phosphorus and
nitrogen) enter a waterway primarily by way of runoff fertilizer or sewage.
-Dead (0r Hypoxic) Zone: area along coastlines or lakes with such low
concentrations of dissolved oxygen that marine life can’t be sustained; a direct
cause of eutrophication.
Project Plan:
Need for filtration
Community cooperation
and education
Buffering wetland
Eradicate Eutrophication!
retrieved from
http://www.watersheds.org/places/extension/mississippi.h
tm
Wetlands support Biodiversity
Wetlands are a "holding tank"
• Prevent flooding downstream
• Hold and use nutrients from fertilizers
• Slowly release water to rivers
photo retrieved from
http://www.conservationfund.org/node/1775/lightbox2
Wetland's Economic Value
• Wetlands serve as a better low-cost alternative to industrial
sewage treatments.
• Floods incur large loss of property and life and in 2006
damages amounted to $2 billion.
• More than a million Americans
hunt, fish, birdwatch, or
photograph wildlife in wetlands
spending in 2001 about $108
billion on these pursuits
The solution: Wetland restoration/creation
Main location: Areas around the Mississippi River
Why?
•
Large areas of land have been developed for farming
How?
•
In general, working with local organizations and experts
Allocation of the $20,000,000
We want to focus on:
Educating locals and volunteers
• How we will do this
• Why we will do this
• Estimated costs
Restoration/creation of wetlands
• Estimated costs
•
•
•
•
Developing an organization
Project vision
Phases of development
Structure
Estimated Costs
Educating local farmers and volunteers
How?
• Work closely with Mississippi River Collaborative
& The University of Guelph
• Hold information "meetings" to inform of
effects
Why?
We believe that:
Knowledge + Training = Sustainable Future
Estimated Costs
~$20,000 per information session
*breakdown of costs can be seen on our website
Restoration & creation of Wetlands
Costs
• Wetland Restoration ~$40,000* per acre
• Wetland Creation ~$90,000* per acre
We propose:
• 2.5 - 5 acre wetlands in 5-6 specific locations
o Location, location, location
o Provides "step-stepping" stone
• Compensate farmers $1500 per acre to convert land into
wetlands
*http://www.bnl.gov/erd/peconic/factsheet/wetlands.pdf
Organization Development Strategies
• Project Vision / Criteria
- Sustained organizational growth
- Implement wetlands; raise awareness
- Liaise among various parties/ organizations
Organization Development Strategies
• 3 phases of development
- Regional development (2 – 3 years)
- National / Continental development (4 – 5 years)
- International Development (5 - 8 years)
Organization Development Strategies
• Regional development
- Establish headquarter
- Create Research & Development Department, volunteer base
- Develop relations with involved organizations in region
Organizational Structural Chart
• Headquarters (Jackson)
- Research & Development: implementation plan
- Professional Training for staff & volunteers (University of Guelph)
- Administration; external relations; marketing
• Outreach (Education)
- Educate public: workshop, youth conferences
- Community initiatives: charity, fundraising
• Outreach (External Relations)
- Collaborate with various organizations, government, institutions
- Explore funding, grants, and other sources to sustain development and growth
• Technical Support Team
- Provide support for current projects, long term results
Organization Development Cost
Summary
• Eutrophication = nutrient pollution
• Wetlands are a "holding zone" for excess nutrients
o Economic benefits
• We hope to educate and train individuals to help build a
sustainable future
• Long-term goal = develop an organization dedicated to
raising awareness and introducing wetlands
Questions?
Bibio/ citing page
http://www.igougo.com/journal-j59546-United_StatesTennessee_to_Florida_to_Massachusetts.html (slide 10)
http://www.wmwrc.ca/who.asp (slide 10)
http://www.wmwrc.ca/background.asp (slide 11)
http://bsedge.com/En/Expertise/ (slide 12)
http://jackson.craigslist.org/off/2293616777.html (slide 14)
http://askjohnchatman.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Stairway-ToSuccess.jpg (Slide 15)
http://www.buttweldingmachine.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/office2.jpg (slide
16)
Costs and benefits of wetlands
Costs of restoring wetlands
Acquistion of property rights for wetland
conservation
Economic values of wetland functions