Our Coasts are Disappearing!

There are few things more important to a sportsman than habitat. Without it, we would have no place to hunt or fish. Sportsmen have gathered together across our nation, forming clubs and organizations to protect the land and waters of our great nation. From Ducks Unlimited to the Coastal Conservation Association, we have worked together to protect and enhance the very habitat that bestows life.

Their progress and results have been phenomenal. For the first time in generations, we are actually improving the land and water that is our life's blood. These improvements have been far reaching in their effect on the human condition. 

But we can't rest. Right in our own backyards looms a disaster of immense proportions. Imagine all the land and marsh gone south of the Intercoastal Waterway. Then imagine another hurricane Hugo or Camille hitting our coast head on. Not a pretty picture is it. Far fetched? I wish it was.

It's a sad fact that our marsh is disappearing faster than you can imagine. We can't sit back and wait to stop this erosion onslaught. As each year passes, thousands of acres of land are lost to coastal erosion. It will take many years of hard work just to slow the loss, let alone reverse the process and build back what has we have already kissed goodbye.

We need to come together NOW and do whatever it takes to stop the destruction of our marsh. We will have to put aside past squabbles amongst ourselves and form a solid front to stop this. We will have to let go of our personal desires like catching speckled trout 50 miles inland where speckled trout didn't exist 50 years ago. We will have to modify some of our business practices like dredging canals all over the marsh. We will have to do a lot of things that, on the surface, may cause us some discomfort and modify our present lifestyle.

The alternative is to lose it all. While we are being selfish and petty, and in the time you will take to read this, another acre of marsh just went into the Gulf of Mexico.

Below is one of the most comprehensive reports on the issue that I've seen to date. Written by the Committee on the Future of Coastal Louisiana, this report covers all of the issues involved in saving our coastline. Please read it carefully and join the fight to save our coastline!

I'd like to thank Berwick Duval for sending the report to RodnReel.com so that we can share it with our readers. I'd also like to thank the entire Committee for their work on this report. Their thoroughness and dedication to the issue is appreciated.

Last but not least, RodnReel.com would like to thank Governor Mike Foster for his leadership on this issue. This is not an issue that is easily tackled and the results of any efforts will be many years down the road.  Gov. Foster not only addressed the issue, he has provided leadership, resources, and the commitment to saving our coast.

All text in the two links courtesy of the Committee on the Future of Coastal Louisiana, et al.

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