Themes of the Day:

• Discussion of "Atchafalaya" by John McPhee

Discussion Topics

How your group would recommend rebuilding the Mississippi Delta region in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina or a similar disaster in the future? Your presentation should demonstrate that you understand the geologic concepts discussed in Chapter #8, as well as the concepts discussed by John McPhee in his work "Atchafalaya". Striking an appropriate balance between natural forces and human needs will be key to any successful plan. Here are some questions to guide your planning:

• Get a feel for the lay of the land using Google Earth and/or other web resources.
• How does your proposal deal with the twin threats of flooding from the Mississippi River and hurricanes coming from the Gulf of Mexico?
• How does your proposal deal with subsidence of the Mississippi Delta?
• How does your proposal deal with the impending capture of the Mississippi by the Atchafalaya River?
• How does your proposal deal with the economic importance of the Mississippi River as a conduit for trade between the American heartland and the world?
• How does your proposal deal with the political and emotional concerns of the people who call that region home?

Some other resources that may be helpful:

• The US Geological Survey (USGS)
• The US Army Corps of Engineers
• The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)