LOOP ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING PROGRAM 2002-2003 VEGETATION AND WILDLIFE STATEWIDE

The Louisiana Offshore Oil Port (LOOP) Environmental Monitoring Program (EMP) was initiated in 1978 to monitor the condition of the marsh ecosystem surrounding the LOOP pipeline. The goal of the EMP is to determine if the LOOP facility and pipeline adversely impact surrounding wetland plant and wildlife communities as a result of the construction (1978-1981) and operation (1982-current) of the LOOP pipeline. The 2003 EMP utilized one elevational ground survey, two vegetation surveys, and one aerial photograph mapping and analysis project to generate quantitative and qualitative data for the analysis of impacts. The construction of the LOOP facility and pipeline resulted in a decrease in marsh surface area and corresponding primary production. The results from the beach elevation and beach vegetation surveys indicated that the beach-dune area overlaying the subsurface pipeline was severely impacted by Tropical Storm Isidore in September 2002. In addition, natural shoreline erosion along the Gulf of Mexico is affecting the beach-dune area. Analysis of data generated during the vegetation surveys did not indicate any correlation between adverse impacts on wetland plant communities and the operation of the LOOP pipeline.