Bayou Bienvenue Restoration: A Truly Community-Driven Project

By

Douglas Meffert and Charles Allen,

Tulane/Xavier Center for Bioenvironmental Research (CBR)

And

Darryl Malek-Wiley,

Sierra Club

Purpose of Restoration Project

• Restore 10,000 acres of cypress wetlands using wetland assimilation of wastewater effluent.

• Increase protection from future storm surges • Provide cost effective method for wastewater

treatment by using wetlands for tertiary treatment.

• Provide for a quality community recreational area

Holy Cross/Lower 9th: 2005-07

• Bring New Orleans Back Planning Process (October 05-February 06)• First Neighborhood Association Meeting (Nov 7, 2005)• Neighborhood Clean Up Effort (February 18, 2006)• CBR/Global Energy Center/ LA Dept. of Natural Resources Community

Planning Meeting (February 20-21, 2006)• Energy Efficiency Workshop hosted by DNR (April 6, 2006)• Community Planning Meeting (April 28-29, 2006)• Neighborhood Party (May 4, 2006)• Hurricane Victims’ Memorial Dedicated (August 27th)• City Council Commissioned Planning Process (June-August 2006)• Unified New Orleans Planning Process (October 06-January 07)• Preservation Trades Network Conference (October 26-28, 2006)• SOLA in NOLA Celebration (March 3, 2007) • Project Implementation Period (Now-Infinity)

Birth of an idea!

From community discussions, came the idea of restoration of Bayou Bienvenue:

•Steven Ringo- Holy Cross/Lower 9th resident•Darryl Malek-Wiley, Sierra Club•Other residents

Images of Bayou B.

A Neighborhood Embracing a Life With Water-Bayou Bienvenue Restoration Project

• Historic Habitat & Ecological Services

• Park for Recreation, Research, & Education

• Capture Rain & Stormwater Runoff and Protection

• Water Treatment for Sewerage & Water Board

• Community-driven partnership of agencies, universities, and non-profits

Interdisciplinary project calls for an interdisciplinary team

• Holy Cross Neighborhood Association• Lower 9th ward Neighborhood Empowerment Network Association (NENA)• University of Wisconsin• University of Colorado• Boston Architectural College• Tulane/Xavier Center for Bioenvironmental Research• Tulane University City Center• LSU School of Landscape Architecture• Sierra Club• Louisiana Department of Natural Resources• New Orleans Sewerage & Water Board• More to come…

Fundraising for project

• University of Wisconsin taking the lead on developing a fundraising strategy

• HCNA establishing community development corporation

• HCNA working to garner support of other L9 community groups

• Help from others is welcomed!!!

Bayou Bienvenue Restoration Project Workshop, April 12-13, 2007

Sponsors:• CBR • LSU School of Landscape Architecture• Sierra ClubPurpose:• Give overview of project to attendees• Identify remaining needs to implement project• Begin to generate a 5-year project plan Location:Alcee Fortier Hall, Tulane University uptown campusNew Orleans, LA

What residents care about:1. Natural Systems2. Sustainable Buildings & Infrastructure3. Public Health4. Social & Political

A Tulane Community Workshop Held in New Orleans, November 2005

What do residents want?Natural Systems

• Comprehensive Coastal Wetlands

• Close the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet

• Create urban wetlands for park space and stormwater runoff

• Rebuild utilizing renewable energy resources

What do residents want?Buildings and Infrastructure

• Comprehensive levees• Design hurricane and flood resistant homes• Renovate public housing• Train future skilled labor• Rebuild utilizing renewable energy resources• Electrical lines below grade• Public transportation enhancement

What do residents want?Public Health

• Immediate contaminated sediment removal from flooded areas

• Test for contamination in all flooded areas• Reopen Charity Hospital • Provide environmental status and certification

for homes and apartments

What do residents want?Social Networks

• Clear, simple, accurate information

• Community centers

• Racial equity

• Housing and work incentives

• Maintain political action

• Local oversight committee with pre-Katrina demographics

Other Community-Driven Projects and Ideas

• Global Green USA GreeNola Project• Acquisition and Re-development of Holy

Cross High School• New landscaping along Tupelo St.• Creating new economic driver around historic

nature of community• Proposed re-development of L9 community

supported by Cherokee Investment• Establish L9 community as climate-neutral

Acknowledgements

• University of Wisconsin• Lower 9th ward Neighborhood Empowerment Network

Association (NENA)• University of Colorado• Boston Architectural College• Tulane/Xavier Center for Bioenvironmental Research• Tulane University City Center• LSU School of Landscape Architecture• Sierra Club• Louisiana Department of Natural Resources• New Orleans Sewerage & Water Board