Conservation Groups Concerned by Decrease in Legislative Funding for Coastal Projects
NEW ORLEANS (June 25, 2024) — This weekend, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry signed into law several key budget bills passed by the Legislature during its 2024 Regular Session. While the Legislature directed over $1 billion to one-time projects, only $10 million was allocated to the Coastal Trust Fund to support the implementation of the science-based Coastal Master Plan. Restore the Mississippi River Delta remains concerned about recent changes in the coastal program, particularly this decrease in Legislative funding for priority projects on our coast.
Although coastal projects have a significant and proven return on investment when it comes to preventing damage to communities, the economy, and the ecosystem, less than 2% of CPRA’s FY25 spending plan is from recurring state revenues. Through multiple administrations, surplus investments ranging from $50 million to $400 million have gone directly to improving hurricane protection for communities, advancing ecosystem restoration projects and covering the state’s cost share on large, federal coastal investments.
“The Coastal Master Plan contains more good projects than we have money to implement. For the first time in decades, the Louisiana Legislature decided not to close a critical coastal funding gap with available state surplus dollars,” Restore the Mississippi River Delta said. “We do not have the luxury of leaving funding behind that can help us address the existential coastal crisis impacting every resident and business in the state. We especially need dedicated state dollars that are necessary for us to receive additional, larger federal investments for critical restoration and protection projects. Nearly eliminating surplus funding for the coast could send the wrong message to millions of coastal stakeholders, communities and businesses across Louisiana that are depending on smart investments in making our coast safer and stronger for the future.”
Media Contact:
Annie Matherne
(504)650-5539
annie@gambelpr.com
About Restore the Mississippi River Delta
Restore the Mississippi River Delta is working to protect people, wildlife and jobs by reconnecting the river with its wetlands. As our region faces the crisis of land loss, we offer science-based solutions through a comprehensive approach to restoration. Composed of conservation, policy, science and outreach experts from Environmental Defense Fund, National Audubon Society, the National Wildlife Federation and Pontchartrain Conservancy, we are located in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Washington, D.C.; and around the United States. Learn more at MississippiRiverDelta.org and connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.