US outlines a 'managed retreat' of wetland areas

The wetlands around New Orleans would not have prevented Hurricane Katrina, probably, but scientists insist preservation is still a must

By Cornelia Dean / NY TIMES NEWS SERVICE , NEW YORK

The panel said the other projects are scientifically sound as far as they go, but it estimated that in aggregate they would slow marsh loss in the state by only 20 percent. Wetland loss peaked in the early 1980s, when Louisiana lost about 50km2 a year. By some estimates, its annual loss now is 15km2 to 20km2.

The panel's report can be ordered at www.nationalacademies.org.