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When the River Turns Salty

Southeast Louisiana has faced an ever growing threat that has not had enough light shed on it: saltwater intrusion from the Mississippi River. This challenge has not only changed the landscape but has also impacted business, homeowners, and entire communities. Saltwater intrusion takes place when saline water moves upstream from the Gulf of Mexico into freshwater sources. In this case of Southeast Louisiana, there have been many things that have contributed to this issue. For starters, there has been an extreme loss of wetlands from oil extraction and other urban developments. Climate change has also played a part in this as it has intensified the movement of the saltwater into more coastal areas. There was also the 2021 Mississippi River flood which changed the river's salinity levels and overall flow. A report by the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority noted that the saltwater intrusion was going to impact the region by affecting drinking water and the agricultural viability for years to come. 

Saltwater intrusion has had profound effects, especially on homeowners in New Orleans and Plaquemines Parishes. These areas have had to deal with extra cost for water treatment and plumbing repairs due to salt water's corrosive nature. Businesses that deal with agriculture and fishing have also been impacted from salt water intrusion. Industries like shrimping and oysters that were once thriving are now dealing with economic instability due to a decrease in yields. Farmers have reported salt damage to crops which has forced them to spend money on mitigation strategies. Most communities have come together and have been discussing the implications of this environmental crisis. There are leaders and other organizations that have advocated for stronger protective measures and have tried to raise awareness on the situation but there are many residents who are still unsure of how best to adapt.

There have been past experiences like Hurricane Katrina that have left a lasting impression on the citizens of Louisiana. They feel like they were not informed or supported during such a time of crisis. This has led to skepticism about the authorities and their ability to handle challenges the environment brings. There is a disconnect that has led people to be hesitant in trusting official narratives, especially decisions being made without getting any input from the community. These people that are getting affected feel like their voices are not being heard. I really can’t say if saltwater intrusion has been handled appropriately because there are still significant hurdles to overcome. Although people are doing the best they can, there is still a long way to go. So as Southeast Louisiana continues to deal with the effects of saltwater intrusion it is important that locals are able to at least rebuild trust with the government to have some more sustainable solutions.