What is the primary purpose of sediment diversion in coastal Louisiana?

The primary purpose of sediment diversion in coastal Louisiana is to build land. This process involves redirecting river sediment and freshwater flow into coastal wetlands, which helps to recreate land that has been lost due to erosion and subsidence. By allowing sediment-laden water from rivers like the Mississippi to flow into marshes and wetlands, it provides the necessary materials to help rebuild and restore these crucial coastal ecosystems.

This approach benefits the coastal environment significantly. The sediment not only contributes to land-building but also helps in maintaining and enhancing the existing wetlands, which act as buffers against storm surges and improve water quality. Additionally, as sediment accumulates, it can facilitate the growth of vegetation, further stabilizing the soil and reducing erosion.

While promoting marine biodiversity is an important aspect of healthy coastal ecosystems and can be a secondary benefit of sediment diversion, creating new land is the primary objective driving these efforts. Options that would not result in building land, such as increasing water salinity or reducing inshore fishing, do not align with the goals of sediment diversion initiatives.