THE CURRENT THREAT
Though Louisiana's wetlands face serious threats from coastal land loss
and development, widespread clear cutting of cypress forests is also a
very imminent danger.
In the past cypress mulch used to be a by-product of lumber mills. This
is no longer true. The mulch purchased today comes from wide spread
clear cutting of entire eco systems.
Loggers are operating with little to no oversight. No state laws exist
to protect Louisiana's state tree; some that are more than 1,000 years
old.
A mixed message: State and Federal Officials are asking our nation for
billions of dollars to restore Louisiana's coast. However, it's not
clear whether our cypress forests, which help to combat coastal
erosion, are adequately protected from logging under current state and
federal laws.
THE IMPACT
Though many areas that were logged in the early 1900s have
regenerated, local scientists believe that many of Louisiana's coastal
cypress forests would not grow back if they are now cut. Read more about endangered cypress forests. |
