Science Plan: Northern Gulf of Mexico: USGS Science Contributions to a Resilient Coast 2006-2011

1.1  Sample collection was required as soon as possible to measure changes in salinity, sediment composition, contaminants, vegetation change, and other stressors of vegetation change and regeneration dynamics during the first growing season.  Samples were collected, most analyses completed by redirecting funds within centers.  Data analysis, interpretation and reporting are underway. (BRD and WRD)

1.2  Similarly, samples for surface water bacteria assessment were collected and analyzed; however, unfunded costs were incurred.  Reports still need to be completed and published. (State Water Science Centers)

1.3  Sediments were sampled for chemical composition in urban bays and estuaries including Lake Pontchartrain.   Only historic data in New Orleans allowed initial sampling results in Lake Pontchartrain after Katrina to be judged no higher than typical background levels. Recommend completing characterization of urban storm-related samples and reevaluate Katrina impacts and results (GD, WRD and BRD interdisciplinary team)

1.4  Define the linkage between physical attributes and biologic function; assess habitat, primarily for fish and migratory birds focusing on habitat change and recovery of wildlife food resources in affected areas; track spread of invasive species; and assess damage to hardwoods/upland areas before the next hurricane  (NWRC and GAM)

1.5  Assess elevation change. In the marsh and chenier plains of Louisiana, this means measuring the short-term change resulting from hurricane impacts and distinguishing from long-term change resulting from hydrostatic loading.  (NWRC, PWRC, CMGP, and UNO partners)

1.6  Assess levee breaks using tripod-mounted LIDAR to map breaches.  Two field trips have been completed; one more is planned for May.  The final report is due to Congress in August. (CMGP as part of NSF team; reimbursable funding covers travel only)

1.7  Barrier Island and shoreline surveys and time-series monitoring was initiated shortly after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.  A complete survey from the Chenier Beaches in SW Louisiana to Dauphin Island, Alabama is required.  Reimbursable funding from LA DNR will cover topobathy and lidar surveys from the Chenier Beaches to the Chandeleur Islands.  In-house funding should be planned for the Mississippi – Alabama chain from Cat Island to Dauphin Island.  Concurrently, we propose to collect data for near-shore assessment in and behind barrier islands, sediment budget and transport where feasible and depending on availability of funding.  (GD, LDNR, UNO).  Coastal change mapping using airborne, Land Sat and land-based instrumentation with multiple partners and in conjunction with geographic analysis and monitoring  (Geography)

1.8  Human Health – Organic matter (OM) dynamics and mercury cycling in Louisiana marshes.  Pre-and post- Katrina mercury is being sampled in Barataria Bay, additional funds needed to expand studies to other affected sites (WRD, partnering with FDA)

(FY06) Task 2:  Preparing for the next hurricane season:  monitoring change

2.1  USGS development and deployment of a rapid response storm surge network will replace the expensive, unreliable and insufficient means of post-storm documentation of severe storm surge.  By deploying a relatively dense network of inexpensive water level recorders at previously established locations in the path of oncoming storms the USGS will provide critical surge information of greater density and reliability than previously available.  This will facilitate the validation of surge models (forecasts) and provide improved data for post-storm assessments and recovery activities. (WRD)

2.2  Coastal flood and storm surge monitoring network – involves hardening (to withstand a category 5 hurricane) existing monitoring sites and adding new sites across the northern Gulf of Mexico, ideally at 25 mile spacings over the long term.  In FY06, a category 5 demonstration site as proof of concept.  (WRD)

(FY06) Task 3. Information storage, communication and decision tools

3.1  Landscape modeling and integration – provide immediate information to recovery and assessment activities of the FWS Refuges and NPS Parks, LA restoration agencies and authorities. (BRD, GD)

3.2  Information storage/GIS database in conjunction with the commitments made to the GOM Alliance.  Will include environmental, geomorphic, infrastructure and ecological data for SE LA, coastal and interior MS, coastal AL and extreme western FL.  (BRD and GIO)

3.3  Initiate integrated strategy for disaster support, including an assessment of successes and opportunities from Hurricane Katrina. Beginning in FY06 and continuing in FY07 the LRS, GAM and SI Programs will develop an integrated strategy to identify science and operational issues that will emerge during any disaster (Geography)

3.4 GOES satellite backup for Wallops Island.