For decades, science has pointed to the same answer: Reconnect the Mississippi River to our wetlands to build and sustain land. But now politicians are changing course. That’s a bad bet for our future: fewer wetlands, higher storm surge, and higher insurance costs for Louisiana families.
A new poll shows that Louisianans’ confidence in the trajectory of the state’s coastal program is dropping after the abrupt cancellation of two major sediment diversion projects that would have used the Mississippi River to rebuild land in southeast Louisiana. The bottom line is simple: voters support the science-based coastal plan we’ve been talking about, and they want more transparency and accountability in how decisions are made and how restoration funding will be used moving forward.
Louisiana needs a transparent coastal program that uses all the tools in the toolbox – including large-scale river reconnection projects – to keep us safe in our homes today and for decades to come.
Voters Demand Transparency and Accountability
Louisianians want transparency and accountability in how coastal restoration decisions are made and how billions of dollars in restoration funding are spent. Nearly all voters surveyed (98%) say the state should more clearly explain how remaining Deepwater Horizon oil spill settlement funds will be used.
93% say the state should publicly report how much money it is spending on coastal restoration projects, including 75% who strongly agree.
Voters want greater honesty about the risks facing Southeast Louisiana communities now that the sediment diversion projects have been cancelled.
Voters Oppose Canceling the Sediment Diversion Projects
The survey finds more than three-quarters of voters – 76% – oppose the Governor’s decision to cancel the sediment diversion projects, including 47% who strongly oppose it.
Once voters understand what sediment diversions are, nearly 9 in 10 support these projects as a way to build and maintain coastal wetlands over time.
When asked to choose directly between competing approaches to coastal restoration, 73% prefer continuing the Coastal Master Plan over Governor Landry’s alternative shorter-term strategy.
Voters Overwhelmingly Support Science-Based Coastal Planning
Louisianians have consistently stated that Louisiana NEEDS the Coastal Master Plan. Not just any plan, but one based on science. Polls from the last six cycles clearly show support for a science-backed Coastal Master Plan.
Voters continue to (nearly unanimously) agree with the science-based Coastal Master Plan. They overwhelming agree with a focus on larger, longer-lasting projects
Continuing trends from recent years, Louisianians almost unanimously agree that it’s important to maintain as much coastal land as possible. 95% of voters agree, including 75% who strongly agree.
Why This Matters to Louisianians
Voters believe canceling the sediment diversion projects will have real consequences. For Louisiana families, this is not an environmental debate. It is about safety, affordability, and whether they can continue to live and work in Louisiana.
About the Poll
The poll was conducted by Global Strategy Group and North Star Opinion Research on behalf of Restore the Mississippi River Delta. Global Strategy Group and North Star Opinion Research conducted a multi-channel survey of 800 registered voters in Louisiana between February 2 and February 5, 2026. The margin of error at the 95% confidence level is not greater than plus or minus 3.5 percentage points for the overall sample. .