The historical evolution of the Florida Parishes has been from an agricultural and logging economy to a contemporary suburban one, with the latter's much higher-density residential component. The completion of the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway was the single most significant step in that process.

Since then, there has been an on-going struggle between the inertia of the past economy and the requirements of the present and future. The inability of the area's infrastructure to handle its present load is the problem.

Neil Armingeon, Environmental Director of the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation

Hulin Robert of the Honey Island Group emcees and keeps everyone on schedule.

Dr. Robert Hastings from the Biology Department of SLU discusses the Tangipahoa River.

We have come a long way. For example:

• Rigorous inspections and building-code enforcement, including mandatory retrofitting of water-treatment equipment, contributed handily to improvements in the Tangipahoa River.
• Many of our rivers are now designated as part of the Scenic River System; but clear cutting to the bank and other violations remain rampant.
• LADEQ reports 84% implementation of "Best Management Plans" but relies on "voluntary" compliance with these and other regulations.

Several State agencies are struggling with their environmental responsibilities. Limited budgets and economic growth are part of it. But, the public is becoming adamant in its desire to not compromise irreplaceable habitat. So, education is critical. Everyone wants to maintain the environment. We're even willing to make major sacrifices on its behalf. We need to learn what those compromises are and commit to them.

Mayor Keith Villere of Covington describes the Bogue Fayala watershed.

Here are some of the key points that arose during the day's discussions:

• Growth in the region is probably the greatest contributing factor to stream contamination. While agricultural runoff remains a problem, there have been some successes in that area. Again and again, experts point to fecal coliform pollution (primarily from untreated sewerage) as the biggest problem.
• The present fractious approach to development is leaving much of the responsibility for sewerage processing with individual homeowners. This is unmanageable from all directions.
• Region-wide (or, minimally, parish-wide) planning and waste management are the only ways to create a coordinated approach to these problems.
• While St. Tammany is bearing the greatest development load at this time, adjoining parishes are only a few years away from having to deal with the same problems.
• Flood-control projects are becoming a major water-quality problem as they conflict with the "natural" drainage flow. Water backup results in "flushing" contaminants into our rivers.

Pete Stafford, Washington Parish Police Jury President, focuses the group on the emotional impact of habitat loss.

Many new ideas were brought forward. An innovative approach to planning that's been very successful in other parts of the country involves creating smaller local communities with residential, recreational, and commercial facilities -- all within "the neighborhood". This eliminates (or greatly reduces) the loads on area-wide infrastructure (including both transportation and waste management) that accompany huge developments of just one type, which is the current practice. The City of Covington is exploring this innovation.

There may be a rising threat of mercury contamination in many area rivers. Mercury is an extremely toxic, persistent elemental pollutant that does not degrade in the environment as other contaminants can. Only increased monitoring will give us the information we need to evaluate the potential risks. The Delta Chapter's Mercury Campaign has actively pursued this important issue. Also, you can get a lot more information from LADEQ's web site.

Carlton Dufrechou, Executive Director of the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation, takes questions and wraps up the day's discussions.

What's it going to take? Courage from our governmental leaders, conscience on the part of State agencies, creativity from the environmental movement -- and coalitions and, yes, concessions from all of us. It seems it's going to take time to work all these out -- but, time is short!

We need to respect the difficulties faced by our elected and State-agency officials; but, without pressure and a financial commitment from us, we'll lose our living rivers.