2012 Master Plan Presentation to CEQ - July 2010
LCA Mississippi River
Hydrodynamic and Delta
Management Study
(MRHDM)
October 5, 2011
LCA 2004 Main Report
The MRHDM study is comprised of two large-scale initiatives for the Mississippi River that were outlined in the USACE 2004 LCA report:
• Mississippi River Hydrodynamic
Study (MRH)
• Mississippi River Delta
Management Study (DM)
Authorization
The study is authorized under Section 7003 of the Water
Resource Development Act (WRDA) 2007 (Public Law 110-114)
MRHDM Goal
Employ a comprehensive approach of investigating existing water and sediment resources in the Mississippi River available for coastal protection and restoration.
Hydrodynamic Objectives
Design models that:
1) Have the ability and flexibility to model current Lower
Mississippi River conditions,
2) Evaluate ecosystem restoration alternatives in concert with dynamic flood risk management and navigation,
3) Evaluate multipurpose management scenarios of the river,
4) Evaluate the dynamic system (specifically how changes to sea level rise, subsidence, navigation, and flood risk management would affect potential restoration alternatives.)
Delta Management
Objectives
Formulate alternatives that:
1) Consider multi-use and multi-purpose projects that involve ecosystem restoration, flood risk management, and navigation.
2) Arrive at a long term multipurpose project that is sustainable and meets the needs of the Nation.
• This could mean changing currently authorized project purposes in the interest of arriving at a multipurpose plan that appropriately balances ecosystem, navigation, and flood risk management needs and purposes.
Project Area
Hydrodynamic Tasks
• Data collection and management
• Geomorphic analysis
• Development of new small scale physical model
• Development of 1D model of the Mississippi River
• Development of multi-dimensional models
Delta Management Tasks
• Compilation of existing information
• Document existing conditions and forecast future conditions
• Ecological modeling to compare impacts to biological resources
• NEPA documentation
Restoration projects will be heavily guided by the State of
Louisiana 2012 Master Plan.
Next Steps
• 6 and 12 month timelines including identification of tasks and potential team members
• Team Kickoff Meeting soon (Fall 2011)
• Preparing for Scoping Meetings (Summer 2012)
• Developing Data Collection and Management Plan (2012-
2014)
