Collection:LPB

Genre: Newsmagazine

Place Covered: Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1989-01-6

Duration: 00:27:50

Subjects: Environment | COASTAL EROSION | COASTAL RESTORATION | WETLANDS | Duck shooting

Contributors:

• Lormand, Ken Host
• Sockman, Roger Reporter
• Templet, Paul Interviewee
• Bagert, Ben Interviewee
• Tauzin, Billy Interviewee
• Soileau, Dave Interviewee
• Chambers, Dave Interviewee
• Good, Bill Interviewee
• Cambre, Milton Interviewee
• Champage, Rookie Interviewee
• Bateman, Butch Interviewee

This episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” from January 6, 1989, features Ken Lormand and Roger Sockman reporting on coastal erosion in Louisiana. Lormand reports that the state is losing 25,000 acres of coastal wetlands each year. First, Lormand interviews Secretary Paul Templet of the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), who discusses the causes of coastal erosion in the state. Lormand also touches on the Army Corps of Engineer’s $12 million project in Grand Isle to restore protective dunes. Next, Sockman visits Fort Proctor in St. Bernard Parish to show the five-year impact of coastal erosion on the site. He also interviews State Senator Ben Bagert and Congressman Billy Tauzin, who discuss the need for both the state and the federal government to fund coastal restoration efforts. Lormand then reports on the state’s current and future coastal restoration projects, including the use of recycled Christmas trees in the LaBranche wetlands and the damming of Lake Pontchartrain. He interviews: Dave Soileau, Louisiana coastal wetlands coordinator; Dave Chambers and Bill Good of the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR); and Milton Cambre, environmentalist. Lastly, Lormand reports on the impact of the loss of habitat on duck hunting in Louisiana. He tags along on a hunt with Rookie Champagne of the St. Rose Duck Club in St. Bernard Parish and also interviews Butch Bateman of the game division administration.