Quote:
Originally Posted by redchaserron
Regardless of whether the tidal wetlands are considered public or private, they need to be protected and where possible restored for a number of reasons.
1. They provide a buffer against storm surges that will impact cities towns, homes and businesses
2. They provide a nusery for most of the commercial and recreational fisheries including fish, crabs, shrimp etc. that don't just remain in whatever parcel of marsh they happen to spend their early life in
3. They provide habitat for migratory birds, ducks etc.
There are many other reasons. Don't get me wrong, I think the current state of public access to tidal waters in Louisiana is a travesty, but that is an entirely separate issue from coastal preservation/restoration. THe benefits of healthy wetlands are enjoyed by the vast majority of the population of Louisiana and by much of the country, even those who never step into a boat or see the marsh.
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Those benefits are widely enjoyed by a majority or people who are trespassing and probably don't even realize it. If every land owner in south LA wanted to put their foot down, and could actually win in court, the majority of the public would not get these benefits.