This combination of loss of sediment and standing water leads to marsh compaction and loss of wetlands. Studies have shown that there is a direct correlation between the existence of canals, dredged material levee density, and land loss. Local erosion is often isolated around the levees or within areas partially or wholly impounded by them. For this reason, the Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program believes that it is important to promote alternative techniques that will beneficially use dredged material to enhance adjacent marsh areas. The Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program thought so, but wanted to investigate.
Scientists recognize hydraulic dredging as a viable alternative to bucket dredging.
This alternative has fewer detrimental impacts and is recognized as producing a more beneficial use of dredged material. Pumping fluidized dredged material over the marsh, rather than concentrating it in a levee, reduces the effects and degree of impoundment and in many ways mimics the natural deposition of sediment from river flooding. The hydraulic operation involves pumping dredged material from canal or channel water bottoms to a nearby containment area. Containment areas in shallow water require the construction of a minimal retention levee to hold slurry material until the water drains or evaporates out of the contained area. To achieve the project's objectives, Texaco, Inc. and the Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program entered into an agreement with the Lafourche Parish Coastal Zone Management Program for project design and implementation.