Carlton Dufrechou has been working with environmental restoration programs for over fourteen years. In June 1992, Carlton was selected as the Executive Director of the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation. As director, Carlton is responsible for the overall planning, coordination, and implementation of the Foundation's efforts to restore and preserve the ecology of the 5,000 square mile Pontchartrain Basin. Since 1992, the Foundation has successfully implemented over 50-water quality improvement, habitat preservation, and education projects. The projects range from construction of 66 livestock waste retention lagoons to creation of the 10,000 plus acre Big Branch National Wildlife Refuge to development of Lessons on the Lake, a curriculum guide for environmental educators to using wetlands to filter pollutants from stormwater and wastewater discharges. The projects have received numerous recognitions including The National Watershed Award, two EPA Environmental Excellence Awards, and a Presidential Environmental Education Award.

From December 1986 through May 1992, Carlton was a planner and project manager with the New Orleans District of the Corps of Engineers. Carlton participated in the planning, implementation, and management of water resource, environmental restoration, and flood control projects throughout central and southern Louisiana. The projects include rural and urban flood control in the Alexandria area, marsh creation and wetland restoration in the Mississippi Delta region, hurricane protection in the New Orleans metropolitan area, delta building in Atchafalaya Bay, and environmental projects in the Atchafalaya Basin.

Prior to his association with the New Orleans District, Carlton had experience in development, and civil and architectural design.

Carlton is a native of New Orleans. He received both his BS degree in Civil engineering and his MS degree in Civil/Environmental Engineering from Tulane University. Carlton is a licensed planner. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners, American Planning Association, Society of American Military Engineers, and the Society of Tulane Engineers. Carlton serves on several environmental committees for Governor Foster. He is a member of the Rotary, a Paul Harris Fellow, and former club president. He received the 1999 Young Leadership Council Role Model award.

The Environmental Restoration of the Lake Pontchartrain Watershed

Presentation Topic : The Environmental Restoration of Lake Ponchartrain Watershed.

By: Carlton Dufrechou, AICP

Summary :

The Lake Pontchartrain Basin is a 5,000 square mile watershed encompassing 16 parishes and 4 Mississippi counties. It is one of the largest estuarine systems on America's Gulf coast. The Basin has the most diverse topography in Louisiana ranging from rolling woodlands to coastal wetlands. At the Basin's center is the 630 square mile Lake Pontchartrain. The lake is surrounded by almost 1.5 million residents of metro New Orleans making it the most densely populated area of Louisiana. Pontchartrain's fisheries alone contribute over $35 million to the area's economy.

Since the 1940's, increased population, urbanization, and land use changes have altered or destroyed much of Pontchartrain 's valuable ecological resources. Stormwater discharges, inadequate wastewater treatment, rapid unplanned growth, and agricultural activities have degraded water quality. Natural occurrences such as hurricanes, shoreline erosion, and land subsidence have harmed the Basin's sensitive ecology. In 1962, the first "NO S\WIMMING" signs appeared along the south shore of Lake Pontchartrain due to high levels of pollution. By the mid 1980's, almost every river and tributary in the Pontchartrain watershed was polluted.

Recognizing the mounting environmental problems and declining environmental health of the watershed, area citizens established the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation (LPBF) in 1989. The LPBF's mission is to restore and preserve the water quality and habitats of the entire Pontchartrain Basin. With the help of the EPA, state agencies, local governments, the business community, and Basin citizens, the LPBF has implemented 50 water quality, habitat, and education/outreach programs and projects. Lake Pontchartrain's water quality has improved tremendously during the last decade. In recent years, pelicans, manatees, and dolphins have returned to the lake. Water quality has improved to the point where it is again suitable for primary recreational activities.

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