Islands
Redistribution and Impacts of Nearshore Berm Sediment Chandeleur Barrier Islands, Louisiana, United States As part of the emergency response plan to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, the Louisiana Office of Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) suggested that the State of Louisiana construct sand berms to mitigate the effects of oil. Two berms were built between 2010 and 2011; one to protect the highly sensitive Chandeleur Island chain— located in the Chandeleur Sound along the eastern edge of southern Louisiana—and the other to protect inland wetland ecosystems. Though it was not the primary intended purpose, the constructed berms mimicked nearshore beneficial use of dredged material (BUDM) applications that are utilized for barrier island nourishment and restoration. A study was undertaken to evaluate the evolution of the Chandeleur Island berm and the impacts of berm sediment on the northern Chandeleur Island. It was found that substantial amounts of the sand berm moved westward; most of its sediment was ultimately transported onto existing island features or across the island and into Chandeleur Sound. The project became a living example of the benefits nearshore berm placement offers, especially to adjacent habitat nourishment.
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