40 leading scientists express overwhelming support for Louisiana’s Coastal Master Plan
“We want to see our state’s Coastal Master Plan remain the wonder that it is: the most comprehensive coastal plan in the country, guided by the best-available science,” say concerned signers
NEW ORLEANS (Oct. 22, 2024) — A group of 40 natural and physical scientists, engineers and social scientists with extensive research and technical experience related to Louisiana’s coast have co-authored and signed a letter voicing support of Louisiana’s long-standing, science-driven Coastal Master Plan (CMP).
“While there is much to be concerned about along our coast, there is also a significant bright spot: our state’s Coastal Master Plan,” the letter states. “In the years since Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Louisiana adopted a planning process that is second to none. The Coastal Master Plan uses high-end computer models to find the projects across our state that build and maintain the most land, and the projects provide greatest reduction in flood risk. They do this in a way that incorporates the things that makes Louisiana’s coast so unique and complex – the sinking of our land, floods and droughts of the Mississippi River, the rise in ocean waters that is taking place across our planet, and the relationships of plants, animals, and of course people.”
As scientists, the signers say they welcome new ideas and embrace innovation, but their message is simple. They want to see the state’s Coastal Master Plan remain the wonder that it is: the most comprehensive coastal plan in the country, guided by the best-available science. New ideas should follow Louisiana’s gold standard.
In the letter, the scientists acknowledge how no state in the country has a plan as sophisticated as Louisiana’s, and of the places that do have coastal plans, few places are taking as much action as Louisiana. Louisiana’s coastal program is so well respected that it has allowed the state to bring in large quantities of funding for our projects. Louisiana is now efficiently and strategically spending $1 billion every year to protect and restore our coast.
“Louisiana’s coastal science community understands the gravity of our land loss situation and the path forward for restoration,” said Dr. Alisha Renfro, senior manager of science and policy for the National Wildlife Federation’s Gulf program. “We want to see Louisiana’s coastal program remain anchored in sound science – and remain the gold standard it has become for other areas across the country dealing with their own coastal issues.”
“Science should play an important part in our state’s coastal efforts because it helps distinguish between the projects that will be more and less effective,” said Dr. Alex Kolker, coastal scientist and signer of the letter. “Science can help us make good coastal decisions because it is rooted in data and a deep understanding of the natural processes that govern our coastal ecosystems.”
| Mead Allison, Ph.D., Tulane University |
Donald Baltz, Ph.D., Louisiana State University |
Sam Bentley, Ph.D., Louisiana State University |
| Donald Boesch, Ph.D., University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science |
Liz Camuti, PLA, Tulane University School of Architecture |
Chunyan Li, Ph.D., Louisiana State University |
| John Day, Ph.D., Louisiana State University |
Christopher F. D’Elia, Ph.D., Louisiana State University |
JoAnne DeRouen, Ph.D., University of Louisiana at Lafayette |
| Patricia Dorn, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, Loyola University New Orleans |
Emily Farrer, Ph.D., Tulane University |
Cheryl Harrison, Ph.D., Louisiana State University |
| Donald Hauber, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, Loyola University New Orleans |
Theryn Henkel, Ph.D., Ecologist |
Donata Henry, Ph.D., Tulane University |
| Craig Hood, Ph.D., Loyola University New Orleans |
Linda Hooper-Bùi, Ph.D., Louisiana State University |
Michael Hopkins, Ph.D., Pontchartrain Conservancy |
| Erik Johnson, Ph.D., National Audubon Society |
Paul Kemp, Ph.D., Louisiana State University |
Alex Kolker, Ph.D., Coastal Geoscientist |
| John Lopez, Ph.D., Delta Science |
Sarah K. Mack, MSPH, Ph.D., CFM, President of Tierra Resources and Executive Director of Tierra Foundation |
Irving Mendelssohn, Professor Emeritus, Louisiana State University |
| Ehab Meselhe, Ph.D., Tulane University |
Jimmy Nelson, Ph.D., University of Georgia |
Frank Pezold, Ph.D., Coastal Ichthyologist |
| Alisha Renfro, Ph.D., National Wildlife Federation |
Jacqueline Richard, M.S., Nunez Community College |
Natalie Snider, Ph.D., University of Maryland Center for Environmental Sciences |
| Chloe St. Germain-Vermillion National Audubon Society |
Christy Swann, Ph.D., RCOAST |
Caz M. Taylor, Ph.D., Tulane University |
| Aimée K. Thomas, Ph.D., Loyola University New Orleans |
Robert A. Thomas, Ph.D., Loyola University New Orleans |
Torbjörn Törnqvist, Ph.D., Tulane University |
| Jorge Villa, Ph.D., University of Louisiana at Lafayette |
Carol Wilson, Ph.D., Louisiana State University |
Sunshine Van Bael, Ph.D., Tulane University |
| Kehui Xu, Ph.D., Louisiana State University |
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.