Martin Ecosystems

Baton Rouge, LA

225.292.6750

habitat conservation

3 Problems Erosion is Creating for Landowners

Erosion, Landowners

The erosion of Louisiana’s coastline is a crisis for us all. It is estimated that every day the state of Louisiana alone loses as much as a football field in land. Unfortunately, funding for projects to counteract this crisis is limited. Now more than ever, we need affordable, sustainable solutions to protect and restore our coastlines. 

3 Problems Erosion Causes for Landowners

The most obvious problem erosion is causing for coastal landowners is the loss of land. However, the loss of land is really not just a problem for landowners; the effects of erosion spreads to people far from the coast.

  1. 1. Erosion makes us more vulnerable to flooding and storm surge. Wetlands provide a buffer for storms and foods. A loss of land leaves us with less protection, making us increasingly more vulnerable to natural disasters.
  • – 7 miles of wetlands reduces a storm surge by one foot.*
  • – The loss of every one-mile strip of wetlands along the coast results in an estimated $5,752,816 average annual increase in property damage. *
  • – Between 60-70% of Louisiana’s population (over 2 million people) live within 50 miles of the coast and become vulnerable without coastal wetland protection.*
  1. 2. Erosion poses a threat to a profitable fishing industry. Louisiana wetlands provide abundant wildlife and fisheries. By 2050, it is estimated that the annual loss in commercial fisheries due to eroding wetlands will be nearly $550 million.*
  • – Louisiana is one of the largest habitats in the world for migratory waterfowl.*
  • – 95% of all marine species in the Gulf of Mexico spend all or part of their lifecycle in Louisiana wetlands.*
  • – 86% of Gulf of Mexico sport and commercial fish species are dependent on coastal wetlands for survival.*
  • – Louisiana’s wetlands are home to some species that are on the endangered or threatened list.*
  • – Louisiana’s commercial fisheries are the most bountiful of the lower 48 states and more than 30% of the nation’s commercial catch comes from Louisiana.*
  • – Louisiana is first in the annual harvest of oysters, shrimp, crabs, crawfish, red snapper, wild catfish, sea trout and mullet. *
  1. 3. Erosion is a threat to the natural gas and oil industry. In fact, 25% of the energy supply of the entire nation depends on the support facilities in south Louisiana. As our wetlands and barrier islands continue to disappear, the wells, pipelines, ports and roads that make the energy industry possible will be more exposed to open water, wave action, storm surges and water traffic. Erosion will lead to more vulnerable pipelines, resulting in ruptures, oil spills and gas leaks, and billions of assets at risk.*
  • – Louisiana is home to the natural gas and oil industry with a value exceeding $16 billion a year. *
  • – 18% of the U.S. oil and 24% of the natural gas originates and is processed or transported through Louisiana coastal wetlands.*

3 Cost-effective Solutions We’ve Engineered for Landowners

Because we’re passionate about the land we love and we want to protect our coastlines, we’ve engineered innovative, cost effective solutions that are producing results. The following are lightweight solutions that protect existing shorelines, create new marsh and restore wetland habitats:

  • – The Floating Breakwater is a floating wave attenuator that utilizes recycled materials and vegetation to create a sustainable green infrastructure product.
  • – Vegetated EcoShield®is a living shoreline product that compliments flood protection by reducing wave energies and extending the life of shorelines, levee systems, berms, and terraces.
  • – EcoBale is a breakwater for reducing waves and trapping sediments. It is lightweight yet durable enough to withstand high energy environments.

We believe that our wetlands are worth investing in and worth protecting. Coastal restoration makes good business sense, and we can all play a part in saving our coast. If you would like learn more about our partnerships for coastal restoration, habitat restoration, and water quality improvement, give us a call at 225.292.6750. 

*Information in this article provided by: https://www2.southeastern.edu/orgs/oilspill/wetlands.html

Public Private Partnerships for Conservation

Public Private Partnerships

The America’s Wetland Foundation is working to create a registry in an effort to increase private investment to help restore the coastline of Louisiana.

Why is there a need for such an effort? Less than half of the expected funds in federal offshore oil money will go to the state this year for coastal restoration. Therefore, America’s Wetland is seeking ways to pay for smaller projects to help the coast until larger public works can get started.

In a news release, a Houma native and the foundation’s managing director Val Marmillion said, “Coastal land loss isn’t waiting for adequate funding for projects… Private-sector-sponsored projects can be realized now to sustain wetlands in areas where freshwater marshes are subject to saltwater intrusion and eventual land loss.” (Source: dailycomet.com)

We have worked with America’s Wetland Foundation for years as landowners have invested in coastal restoration and water treatment. For example, earlier this year we completed a project to stabilize a mile of the bank along the Gulf Intercoastal Waterway near Larose, LA. We provided the materials for this project years ago, and the funds for the work were provided by a variety of public and private organizations.

After the state’s announcement that the revenue from offshore oil and gas through GOMESA with be half of what was expected, there is a sense of urgency to get the help of organizations to sponsor wetland restoration initiatives.

Marmillion continues, “Wetland restoration makes good business sense for companies with assets like pipelines in the wetlands or move commerce through navigable waterways that are feeling the negative effects or erosion…National conservation organizations also raise large sums of money for environmental or habitat sustainability and we encourage them to spend it here and include their ongoing projects in the registry.” (Source: dailycomet.com)

Environmental Stewardship

Some organizations and institutions have included environmental stewardship as a part of their business models, and this proves to be a perfect opportunity to play a part in coastal restoration, habitat restoration, and water quality improvement. We do however understand that despite their charitable donations, companies are not charities so we must work with them to further their goals with their bottom line in mind. Coastal restoration does make good business sense, and now the private sector can play a key role in saving our coast.

Public Private Partnership Projects

Martin Ecosystems has participated in several projects in which private funds were designated to further efforts to help the public. With these corporations, we have been able to work together to further corporate goals while improving the environment.

We have worked with NGOs such as America’s Wetland Foundation, Coastal Conservation of Louisiana, and Ducks Unlimited on restoration projects. For these projects, private companies such as Shell, Entergy and Citgo have provided the private dollar to fund public projects.

We have more projects in the planning stages for 2018 and we’re very hopeful for the future of public private partnerships! If you would like to continue this conversation and learn more about our partnerships for coastal restoration, habitat restoration, and water quality improvement, give us a call at 225.292.6750. 

Floating Island Technology: How We Use Recycled Consumer Waste to Create Sustainable Environmental Solutions


We use recycled plastic to protect shorelines, improve water quality and create wildlife habitat through our Floating Island Technology. How are we doing this? It starts with the Matrix.

Matrix-The Foundation of our Products
Matrix is the Foundation of our products. It is made from 100% recycled PET plastic drinking bottles  and the matrix fibers are thermal bonded with water based resins. It has a strong tensile and tear strength.

The matrix is an open cell structure making it ideal for biofilm attachment and sediment accumulation. It has approximately 124 square feet per cubic foot of surface area. It has also been tested by an independent lab and is non-toxic to fish.

Our Commitment to Environmental Safety
We are committed to providing the safest products. PET used in the matrix material is resistant to attack by micro-organisms. It is inert, won’t biologically degrade and will not leach, which is why it is widely preferred for packaging foods.

PET is also inherently more UV resistant than other plastics, like polypropylene, because of its molecular structure.

At Martin Ecosystems, we’ve gone a step further by coating our products with polyurea coating. The particular polyurea that we use is perfect for marine environments because it is inert, it will not hydrolyze, leach or contaminate. It provides UV protection, contains no VOCs and is direct food contact approved.

How Floating Island Technology Can Improve Our Environment:

  • Protect shorelines of lakes, ponds, and wetlands.
  • Create new marsh habitat where wetlands are eroding away.
  • Remove unwanted pollutants such as Total Suspended Solids, Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), fecal coliforms, nitrogen and phosphorus in stormwater and wastewater ponds.
  • Create habitat for wildlife, water fowl, and fisheries.
  • Create picturesque waterscapes.

Shoreline Protection

Research has shown that Floating Breakwaters are most effective at attenuating short period waves, such as wind chop.

Marsh Creation

With so much wetland erosion taking place today, wildlife and water fowl are losing their native habitats. By strategically installing Floating Breakwaters, we can create new marsh habitat.

Water Treatment

Floating Treatment Wetlands provide a foundation for plants to grow hydroponically. The open and porous matrix allows roots to spread and bacteria and microbes to attach. Microbes and bacteria attach to the plant roots and matrix fibers, creating a sticky biofilm. Total Suspended Solids are trapped in the biofilm or settle to the water bottom. Bacteria and microbes digest organic matter and pollutants such as Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Fecal Coliform, Nitrogen and Phosphorus.

Floating Treatment Wetlands are beneficial to rural and small towns still operating lagoon systems because they can be retrofit into existing lagoons, ultimately saving towns from having to spend millions in capital and construction costs.

They require very little maintenance. Vegetation should be trimmed 2-3 times a year.

Habitat Creation

Fish congregate beneath Islands for shade and cover. Birds lay their eggs on Islands away from predators on land near by.

 

Beautify Waterscapes

Our Floating Islands beautify waterscapes.

The Chicago Riverwalk Restoration is a great example of how to incorporate Floating Islands into a waterscape for beautification.

For every square foot of matrix that we use to manufacture our products we are recycling 3 (16 oz) bottles. This prevents thousands of plastic water bottles from trashing our environment and entering our landfills.

CCA Louisiana & conservation partners build "floating islands"


Coastal Conservation Association’s Building Conservation Trust, in partnership with Shell Oil Company, Entergy, Lafourche Parish, Martin Ecosystems and local students from Holy Rosary Catholic School and Golden Meadow Middle School will join together to help rebuild the coastline off of Louisiana Highway 1 between Fourchon and Grand Isle. This event is held in honor of Earth Day 2015, which is April 22 each year.

On Friday, April 17th and Saturday April 18th, project volunteers and students from various schools, will build approximately 6,000 square feet of new wetland island habitat and place them in the water just north of LA 1.  Each 8 by 25 foot island will hold 400 plants, and will be placed end-to-end and anchored to the water bottom. Roughly 12,000 native plants, including mangrove, seashore paspalum and smooth cord grass, will be installed.  The “floating islands” technology allows these plants to take root in the water bottom while providing protection to LA 1 from the natural elements.

“Highway 1 is the only road to and from Grand Isle, and the marsh surrounding the highway has been devastated by the effects of storms and coastal erosion, leaving it very vulnerable” said Lafourche Parish President Charlotte Randolph said.  “This project will create new marsh for the area, and provide much needed protection for the highway.  At the same, we will create great fish habitat that can be reached by shore-based anglers looking for redfish, trout, drum and other species”

This is the third project of this type spearheaded by CCA and Shell.  The first project was Phase I of the Isle deJean Charles Project in Point Aux Chene, completed in 2011.  Phase II of the Isle deJean Charles project followed in 2013.  In all, nearly 12,000 square feet of new marsh was created to helping fortify marshland that had been devastated by years of erosion and storms.  It was the first project to use this new technology, developed by Martin EcoSystems, in an open-water marine environment application.

“Shell considers Louisiana home and takes pride in its work to enhance our natural resources and protect the environment while striving to meet the growing demand for domestic energy,” said Dwight Johnston, Shell Deep Water’s Vice President of Health, Safety and Environment. “Shell is proud to partner with CCA’s La 1 Floating Islands Project, and the success of the first two projects proves that a holistic approach to protecting the environment where we work is possible.”

Funding for the project is provided by CCA Building Conservation Trust, Shell Oil Company, Entergy, Lafourche Parish, Martin Ecosystems and private donations by CCA members. The total project cost is expected to be approximately $200,000.

“This project is a perfect microcosm of what it’s going to take to build a more resilient coast – government, business and the community working hand in hand to implement innovative solutions that protect critical infrastructure and restore vital marshland,” said Phillip May, president and CEO of Entergy’s Louisiana utilities. “We owe it to our customers, our shareholders and our employees to do everything we can to improve the resilience and sustainability of our coastal communities.”

CCA and their partners have been so pleased with past project results, they decided to undertake this new challenge between Fourchon and Grand Isle.

“The results of the first effort in Point Aux Chene have been remarkable,” said CCA Louisiana Habitat Chairman John Walther.  “The islands we created there have outperformed the natural marsh, and have been more resilient to the effects of storms, two brutal winters, and continuous wave action.  The opportunity to bring this same effort to the Grand Isle area was a no-brainer for CCA.”

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