40 leading scientists express overwhelming support for Louisiana’s Coastal Master Plan
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“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 …
Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion — What you Need to Know Now and Why
Restore the Mississippi River Delta is concerned about the state of Louisiana’s rapidly disappearing coast, and we know you are, too. We want to keep you informed of the most critical issues currently facing our coast. This post marks the third in a series expressing our concerns about recent shifts in our state’s successful and popular coastal program, including the progress of implementation of key projects in our science-based Coastal Master Plan. Recently, the Mid Barataria Sediment Diversion, a cornerstone …
New report shows Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion’s extensive economic benefits
Project estimated to create $1.9 billion in new sales for Plaquemines Parish and more than 3,000 jobs across five parishes Download the Report NEW ORLEANS (July 23, 2024) — A new report released today by Loren C. Scott & Associates, Inc. details the significant economic impacts of the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion on Plaquemines Parish and the surrounding five parishes. The report, “The Economic Impact of Constructing the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Project,” showcases how Plaquemines, St. Bernard, Orleans, Jefferson and St. …
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 …
Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Stop Work Order Partially Lifted
Coalition Calls for Project to Move Forward Immediately, As Designed NEW ORLEANS (June 13, 2024) — Today, the stop work order on the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion was partially lifted, allowing certain early work on the nearly $3 billion project to move ahead, including site preparation and construction on various temporary structures. Restore the Mississippi River Delta, a coalition of national and local conservation groups comprised of the Environmental Defense Fund, National Audubon Society, the National Wildlife Federation and Pontchartrain Conservancy …
Louisiana’s Coastal Program is at Risk: Louisiana’s Keystone Project in Limbo
Restore the Mississippi River Delta is concerned about the state of Louisiana’s rapidly disappearing coast, and we know you are, too. We want to keep you informed of the most critical issues currently facing our coast. This post marks the second in a series expressing our concerns about recent shifts in our state’s successful and popular coastal program, including changes to the structure of our coastal program, the protection of coastal funding, and implementation of cornerstone projects in our science-based …
Louisiana’s Coastal Program is at Risk: Proposed Changes to CPRA’s Structure
Restore the Mississippi River Delta is concerned about the state of Louisiana’s rapidly disappearing coast, and we know you are, too. We want to keep you informed of the most critical issues currently facing our coast. This post marks the first in a series expressing our concerns about recent shifts in our state’s successful and popular coastal program, including changes to the structure of our coastal program, the protection of coastal funding, and implementation of cornerstone projects in our science-based …
Cook-Off for the Coast 2024
In its sixth year, the Cook-Off for the Coast 2024 was our largest and most successful Cook-Off to date! Over $20,000 was raised through sponsorships, donations and merch sales, and more than 2,000 attendees came out to enjoy the delicious food and plentiful sunshine at Docville Farm on February 24th. As always money raised will go to coastal restoration projects in St. Bernard Parish. This year the Cook-Off will be supporting the Chandeleur Sound Living Shoreline Project, a partnership with …
Master Plan Success: River Reintroduction to Maurepas Swamp
Project Highlight: River Reintroduction to Maurepas Swamp As one of the largest forested wetlands in the nation, Maurepas Swamp provides important ecological and socioeconomic benefits to southeast Louisiana. The swamp not only improves water quality and habitat for many species of conservation importance but also increases resilience against storms for coastal communities from the Greater New Orleans region to the River Parishes and up into Greater Baton Rouge. Voice for Restoration “The Biloxi Marsh Living Shoreline Project provides much-needed storm …
50 Years of Building New Land For the Wax Lake Delta
It’s been 50 years since the Wax Lake Delta began to emerge from open water. The delta continues to grow and thrive today, providing a living laboratory to study what is possible when we let the river build new land. Right now, the flow of the Mississippi River is hardly more than a trickle due to the low rainfall throughout much of the river’s enormous watershed. However, in 1973, rain and snow fell throughout the same watershed, causing the river …
Louisiana Breaks Ground on Largest Coastal Restoration Project in U.S. History
Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion will create up to 40 square miles of new land (NEW ORLEANS, LA August 10, 2023) — Today, the State of Louisiana broke ground on the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion, the largest single ecosystem restoration project in U.S. history and a monumental milestone decades in the making. The Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion, a cornerstone of Louisiana’s comprehensive plan to build and sustain coastal wetlands, will mimic natural land-building processes by reconnecting the Mississippi River to its surrounding wetlands, creating …
Master Plan Success: Rabbit Island
Project Highlight: Rabbit Island Restoration Rabbit Island is essential to many colonial nesting bird species, including Brown Pelicans and reddish egrets. Prior to restoration, the island had lost 89 acres of landmass. This land loss had led to the deterioration of the Rabbit Island rookery and jeopardized the second largest Brown Pelican rookery in Louisiana. The island restoration was completed in 2021 as part of the 2017 Coastal Master Plan. This barrier island project used sediment dredged from Calcasieu Ship …
Master Plan Success: Biloxi Marsh Living Shoreline
Project Highlight: Biloxi Marsh Living Shoreline This living shoreline project is estimated to generate approximately 47,000 feet of oyster barrier reef along the eastern shore of Biloxi Marsh, providing a habitat for oysters, reducing wave erosion, and preventing further marsh degradation. This enhanced marsh area serves as an important storm buffer for the greater New Orleans region. Voice for Restoration “The Biloxi Marsh Living Shoreline Project provides much-needed storm protection for St. Bernard communities. It is a great example of …
View From Above: Neptune Pass
The scale of Louisiana’s land loss crisis – and the work being done to preserve it – can be hard to grasp from the ground. One of the best education and advocacy tools for coastal restoration is to fly people over the coast to see the scale and impacts of our land loss crisis. While we can’t bring everyone up on a plane, we can do our best to bring that perspective to you here. In this blog series, we …
View From Above: Bohemia Spillway and Mardi Gras Pass
The scale of Louisiana’s land loss crisis – and the work being done to preserve it – can be hard to grasp from the ground. One of the best education and advocacy tools for coastal restoration is to fly people over the coast to see the scale and impacts of our land loss crisis. While we can’t bring everyone up on a plane, we can do our best to bring that perspective to you here. In this blog series, we …