Hurricane Katrina & Wetlands

This, from a reader of our website...

Hurricanes and Wetlands

Excerpts:
...Wetlands act as a "speed bump," slowing down storms almost like dry land does, said Kip Patrick, spokesman for America's Wetland. "They take some of the brunt of the force of the hurricane, weakens the storm like any land mass would."

...The regular floods served nature's purpose by feeding the delta, bringing fresh water and sediment that served to sustain life and replenish the wetlands. Without the regular flooding, the wetlands naturally "compact."

..."The entire area has to be re-plumbed," she said. "You have to build on what you have. It's a very complex solution."

New Orleans and the history of navigation, shipping and commerce on the Mississippi that the levee system protects is sure to be a big topic in the coming weeks.

Closer to home, Mother Nature does indeed provide regular high water/flooding of the Koshkonong wetlands, and the Wetland Protection grants that nine (9) wetlands owners have received has already proved beneficial to wetland restoration.