Community perspectives on health impacts of potential wetland restoration in the Lower

Ninth Ward of New Orleans

T. Scott 2007

Elizabeth Pleuss

Public Health Symposium ♦ University of Wisconsin-Madison ♦ May 9, 2008

Nelson

Water Resources Management Program An interdisciplinary program leading to a Master of

Science degree Key Component: group research practicum

One-year: Spring semester – planning seminar; summer – field work and analysis; fall – write report

Usually in Wisconsin Usually working with a community group in a

consultant/client relationship

The Issue Community is interested in incorporating

wetland restoration into broader, community-based recovery and development plans

Our Client The Holy Cross Neighborhood Association

Our Mission Assess feasibility of cypress swamp restoration

as part of community-based recovery; identify potential risks and benefits

The Focus Today

Community perceptions of health impacts of wetland restoration

Betsy - The last living cypress in the triangle

T. Scott 2007

Introduction

The Site – Mississippi Delta

Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana

Lower 9th Ward

The Site – New Orleans

The Site – The Lower Ninth Ward

Site schematic depicting local infrastructural features and the Lower Ninth Ward.

Aerial Views of the Bienvenue Triangle. From top clockwise: east to EBSTP; west to Industrial Canal; northeast along Bayou Bienvenue and GIWW.

A. Ross 2007

Wetland Restoration Feasibility Assessment

Wetland Site Characterization Social Context Characterization

History Community views

Past and potential future use of the bayou Current level of knowledge regarding wetlands Attitudes toward restoration

Level of community support for restoration Trust of potential partners Potential Impacts, Concerns

Economic Environmental Societal Public Health

Key Components

In-Depth Interviews

Community Survey

Community Attitudes and Views

Many in-depth interviews with community leaders and residents

Used a “snow-ball” technique to identify key individuals to interview

Interviewees offered memories of the wetland and the neighborhood, as well as thoughts and concerns about the restoration work

Results helped us understand where residents were “coming from” – identify sensitive topics, tailor survey questions

Ron Lewis, Lower Ninth Ward Resident and Curator of The House of Dance and Feathers

E. Pleuss, 2007

In-Depth Interviews

37 Lower 9th Ward residents

Divided the Lower 9th Ward into 8 plots for geographically representative surveys

Within the sections– sought to survey 5-10 households (based on probability proportionate to size principles)

Sample of convenience – difficult to locate residents

Hired 2 community members to assist with surveys

Door to door, hour-long interview-style surveys

Community Survey

Wetland Restoration

and…

Public Health?

Wetland Restoration and Public Health?

Contaminated water Many felt the water was likely contaminated from the

storm and other events Other residents felt that the very presence of fish and

wildlife was an indicator of safety “The fish are there. If it wasn’t safe, they wouldn’t be there.”

Assimilation-specific concern: Potential effect of emerging contaminants such as pharmaceuticals, hormones, and other organic wastewater contaminants on aquatic organisms and humans (USGS, 2002).

Concerns

Two-thirds of respondents did not think that the water in the Bayou was safe

An additional 17% did not know or were uncertain

How safe is the water in the Bayou?

If residents have concerns about the water in the Bayou, who would you contact?

46% (of those offering a response) - City government

23% (of those offering a response) said they would not contact anyone

Community views

Wetland Restoration and Public Health?

Fish and seafood safety Many residents avoid eating fish and seafood from the

wetland, yet others eat the fish regularly 55.5% of surveyed residents do not think that fish and crab

from the bayou are safe to eat Wastewater assimilation has been associated with

increases in heavy metals

Our tests showed that total mercury concentration was significantly lower than health-risk level

Concerns

Wetland Restoration and Public Health?

Diversion of scarce resources

How important is wetland restoration is for the long term survival of New Orleans? Very important, but other priorities come first

The wetland can wait a while, people need their homes immediately Not so important right now. It is important… but not immediately

Mental health issues PTSD and Depression – most common

"Don't want to talk about no water. It's too traumatic. When it rains, I shake.“

“I ain't worried about the swamp. I know too many people that drowned.” “I wouldn't go swimming. Scared I'd see some of my friends [dead]- or a

corpse or something.”

Concerns

Wetland Restoration and Public Health?

Storm surge and flood protection 49% of respondents felt that wetland restoration

was important for the long-term survival of New Orleans

An additional 13.5% felt it was important, but “not now”

Only 5% felt it was not important

“The wetlands has our back -- if we lose our wetlands, this city goes down”

Potential Benefits

Wetland Restoration and Public Health?

Recreation, relaxation, and exercise opportunities Economic development and educational

opportunities Combat land subsidence and climate change

Prevent coastal erosion Serve as sinks of CO2

Clean water Wetlands are a natural water filter, removing pollutants

and excess nutrients

Potential Benefits

65.4% saw nothing negative about having a wetland in the community, some specifically mentioned protective benefits

15.4% did see a wetland in the

community as negative, concerns were about flooding, wild animals, mosquitoes, and bad smell

Is there anything negative about having a wetland near your community?

Community views

There is broad community support for wetland restoration Statistical tests showed no significant association between support

for restoration and age, gender, past use, or knowledge of wetlands

Other priorities need to be addressed first

Residents are not opposed to using wastewater assimilation for restoration

35% support it 19% were hesitant but not opposed 20% wanted more information 8% were opposed

Conclusions

Need for education and outreach –regarding risks and benefits realistic expectations

Need analysis of sewerage plant effluent and capacity of wetland to absorb it

Need continued monitoring for heavy metals in soil and fish

Emotional and mental health needs must be taken into account

Conclusions

Acknowledgements

Rob Moreau, Turtle Cove Environmental Research Station, SLU

Austin Allen, UC-Denver School of Landscape ArchitectureTulane and Xavier’s Center for Bio-Environmental ResearchUniversity of Wisconsin Department of Geology and

GeophysicsSteve Johannsen, RMT, Inc.LSU School of Landscape Architecture, Baton RougeNew Orleans Sewerage and Water BoardGulf Restoration Network, New OrleansAlliance for Affordable Energy, New OrleansLake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation, New OrleansPicolo Products and Supplies, New OrleansU.S. Geological Survey, Middleton, WisconsinLouisiana Department of Natural ResourcesAssociated Students of MadisonNelson Institute for Environmental StudiesIra and Ineva-Reilly Baldwin GrantSierra Club-Delta Chapter

Practicum participants: Andrew Baker, Kristin Maharg, Laura Craig, Natalie Hunt, Jonathon Carter, Travis Scott, Ashleigh Ross, Kate Tillery-Danzer, Elizabeth Pleuss

Nelson Institute Academic Programs Chair, Bill Bland Water Resources Management Chairs Linda Graham

and Ken Potter

Staff and faculty guest consultants from UW: David Armstrong, Jean Bahr, David Hart, David Lewis, Arthur McEvoy, Ken Potter, Stephanie Tai, Sue Thering, and Joy Zedler.

From the Lower 9th Ward: Pamela Dashiell, Charles Allen III, John Koeferel, Steve Ringo, Warrenetta Banks, Kathy Muse, Marna, Darryl Malek-Wiley, the Holy Cross Neighborhood Association, the Lower Ninth Ward Center for Sustainable Engagement and Development, and all the residents of the Lower Nine.

I would like to thank the following individuals and groups for their generous and invaluable support throughout the entirety of this project:

Most of all, I would like to thank our project advisor, Dr. Herbert Wang, and The McKnight Foundation for funding the publication of our report and generously providing for the continuation of this project for two more years.

Questions?