what y'all make of this?

[Smalls]

Originally Posted by MathGeek

Right. But all the salt originates from the Gulf. If management of control structures could ensure that more salt flowed out of the marsh over time than flowed back in from the lake (and the Gulf), then the salinity of the marsh would gradually decrease.

If the salinity in the lake were never above 10 ppt, the weirs could be opened more days per year and still attain lower salinity over time.

Now, I will agree with you there. The problem is figured on the means to an end. Until I see something saying they are going to rock the ship channel, I won't believe it. CPRA has never spoken of such a project, I've not heard anything from the Corps, and National Marine Fisheries has been ademantly opposed to any more rock being installed anywhere, because it "destroys fish habitat". This is word of mouth mind you, but that is the reason the proposal to rock the entire coast has continually been shutdown.

So if it isn't even on the radar for CPRA or the Corps, then when will that ever happen? No way anyone is doing it without them on board, because you are going to directly affect Coastal Resources (whether positive or negative) and a Navigable Water of the United States, which would require a public comment period, yatta yatta yatta, and Corps of Engineers approval.

[MathGeek]

Originally Posted by Smalls

Now, I will agree with you there. The problem is figured on the means to an end. Until I see something saying they are going to rock the ship channel, I won't believe it. CPRA has never spoken of such a project, I've not heard anything from the Corps, and National Marine Fisheries has been ademantly opposed to any more rock being installed anywhere, because it "destroys fish habitat". This is word of mouth mind you, but that is the reason the proposal to rock the entire coast has continually been shutdown.

So if it isn't even on the radar for CPRA or the Corps, then when will that ever happen? No way anyone is doing it without them on board, because you are going to directly affect Coastal Resources (whether positive or negative) and a Navigable Water of the United States, which would require a public comment period, yatta yatta yatta, and Corps of Engineers approval.

Like all real progress, there may need to be a showdown between the state and the feds to get the project done.

I'm in the more scientific brainstorming stage right now. You gotta consider scientific validity sometimes before you get too entrenched and shut off ideas too early based on perceived bureaucratic viability.

This is still America. I hold out hope that scientific validity, public (stakeholder) interest, and financial interests can overcome bureaucratic roadblocks.

The feds are shooting themselves in the foot with the red snapper debacle and stuff like the BLM land grabs. Louisiana is positioned to assert itself and not let the feds twist their arm as the coast washes away.

[Speckmeister]

The eroding marsh on the southeastern side of the lake... and it is significant - one of the worst hit areas in the state looking at the last geographic survey of the area....is a significant competing hypothesis in my opinion. If you're a trout angler - then you better be worried, especially since the electronic tracking studies indicate that the trout fishery on Big Lake is an estuary fishery. Research (mostly tagging) in Louisiana, Texas, Alabama and Mississippi point to trout as an estuary fishery. Some scientists here are under the opinion that only silver trout (some up to 6- and 7- pounds) remain mostly offshore. Here's an outdoor article that reviews some research in Texas...a very good review but it is opinionated by an avid speckled trout angler who I respect. But...if the speckled trout are only estuary-specific in Big Lake - my guess is we are heading into smaller limits (oh-ohhh I understand the problems with this). But if we don't have the biomass of stock in Big Lake that we used to (although LDWF hasn't given out that data since 2011 because of BP litigation), then fishing pressure may certainly be a factor. Most scientists here in La. are under the opinion that the trout coming into estuaries like Big Lake from the Gulf are not significant at all. Also, there is research in Texas that hypersalinities have killed trout in some estuaries. That finding was made in the 1950s where they experienced trout kills with hypersalinity. Nevertheless, here's the article. It's from a paid circulation website, but you may still be able to read it. http://www.texassaltwaterfishingmaga...ubpage429.html

Also, here's a link to the article by the scientist that Cochran responded to: http://www.texassaltwaterfishingmaga...ubpage315.html