Not taking away from the hurricanes’ negative impact on Louisiana, Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana Chairman Woody Crews looked at Katrina and Rita from a different angle at Monday’s St. Mary Industrial Group meeting.

"Our mission for the past 20 years has been to create awareness, and I think we got through with the help of Katrina and Rita," he said.

LCRC is a non-profit, advocacy organization dedicated to restoring and protecting a sustainable coastal Louisiana.

Crews admitted how one of his hobbies pushes him to work harder.

"I am a hunter and that is what drives my passion toward the work I do with the coalition," he said. "It’s a mess."

According to Crews, 217 square miles of land have been lost in a six-month period due to the two devastating hurricanes.

"If a foreign enemy came in and invaded this country and took 217 square miles in two months, I dare say we would react a great deal," Crews said.

"We are reacting, but it is difficult to sell coastal restoration because, when some people go down the bayous, some of the bayous look pretty much like they were before."

Crews said it is no longer about creating awareness but "creating the right job done by the right people, and do it now."

Coastal restoration hits closer to home than most people may think.

"The area south of Morgan City is having real trouble, and we need to try to rebuild those areas," Crews said.

According to one of Crews’ handouts, Penchant Basin area southeast of Morgan City is characterized by widespread floatant marsh and in some places the water underneath is deep, eliminating the potential for restoration of land and emergent vegetation.

"It’s going to take a lot of money because we are trying to rebuild one million and a half acres," Crews said.

LCRC relies on membership contributions and grants from government agencies.

Crews said he was not trying to "scare anyone, but it was my intention to inform you."

"By the time I finish running my mouth, we will have lost another football field of marsh," Crews said. "It’s that fast."

Some tips from the CRCL to protect the wetlands include:

—Join the CRCL or any other nonprofit organization to preserve the coast and its wetlands.

—Don’t buy or use cypress mulch because cypress forests provide critical storm protection for communities and habitat for wildlife.

—Save water. A dripping faucet can waste 20 gallons of water a day, and a leaking toilet 200 gallons.

—Dispose of household, automotive and chemical products carefully. Never pour paints, preservatives, brush cleaners and solvents down the drain.

—Control run-off from your yard. Ninety percent of rain in Louisiana finds its way into the wetlands, and it can carry fertilizers and toxic chemicals.

Crews, who lives in Metairie, has degrees in economics and business management from Tulane University.

His affiliations include memberships in Conoco USA’s Gulf of Mexico Environmental Advisory Panel, the Jefferson Parish Marine Fisheries Advisory Board and the Jefferson Economic Development Commission.

He also serves as chairman of the Louisiana Hunting and Fishing Education Council and as vice-chairman of the Associated Builders and Contractors Political Action Committee.