Conservation Groups Concerned by Decrease in Legislative Funding for Coastal Projects
← Older postsConservation 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 …
Economic Research Reveals How Crucial Fast Action is to Coastal Restoration
Timing of coastal restoration projects effects sustainability, economic impact, and overall effectiveness NEW ORLEANS (May 29, 2024) — A new policy brief released today highlights research showing that coordinating and prioritizing how the state of Louisiana times investments in coastal restoration is a critical element in planning and implementing projects to maximize their benefits. The policy brief, “Investment Decisions for Coastal Restoration: Timely Actions, Sustainable Benefits,” was conducted by the Kathleen Babineaux Blanco Public Policy Center at the University of …
More than 200 businesses, organizations and individuals from around the state urge commitment to Louisiana’s successful coastal program
“The very future of our state is at stake,” say concerned signers, uniting in a call for continued restoration and protection NEW ORLEANS (May 22, 2024) — More than 200 businesses, organizations and individuals from across Louisiana have signed an open letter expressing urgent concerns about recent shifts in the state’s coastal program. The letter, released today as the start of another hurricane season draws near, highlights the high stakes for communities, the economy and the state’s world-renowned Sportsman’s Paradise …
Historic Plan Authorizing Spending for Coastal Projects Advances to Legislature for Approval
(March 14, 2024 – Baton Rouge, La.) Today, Louisiana’s Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) Board approved the state’s historic $1.7 billion Annual Plan for coastal spending for Fiscal Year 2025. The plan, which will now progress to the state Legislature to approve for its adoption, is the funding vehicle for authorizing spending toward new and existing projects in the state’s integrated coastal protection and restoration efforts. Restore the Mississippi River Delta, an influential coalition of national and local …
Coalition Strongly Supports Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion
Restore the Mississippi River Delta, a coalition of national and local conservation organizations comprised of National Audubon Society, the National Wildlife Federation, Environmental Defense Fund, the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana and Pontchartrain Conservancy, strongly supports the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion. The Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion will build and fortify tens of thousands of acres in the Barataria Basin, which is experiencing one of the highest rates of land loss on the planet. By reconnecting the Mississippi River to its wetlands and mimicking natural processes, the land that …
Louisiana Governor Appoints New Leaders for Coastal Restoration and Protection
(New Orleans – Feb. 2, 2024) Louisiana’s new governor, Jeff Landry, announced several key coastal appointments to his administration this week. Gordy Dove will serve as chairman of the state’s Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority; Glenn Ledet, Jr. as executive director of the CPRA; and Tony Alford, as chairman of the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Coastal Protection, Restoration and Conservation. Restore the Mississippi River Delta, an influential coalition of national and local organizations working to restore Louisiana’s coast, issued the …
Report Offers Insight into Louisiana’s Offshore Wind Revenue Potential
The initial lease will result in $860,000 in investments for workforce training and has the potential to power nearly 435,400 homes with clean, renewable energy NEW ORLEANS (Oct. 18, 2023) — During today’s Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) board meeting, researchers released a new report examining the growth potential for wind in the Gulf of Mexico, including estimates of revenue from federal offshore wind lease bids, rents and operating fees. The report, “Winds of Change: Navigating the Gulf of …
Wax Lake Delta Builds Land for 50 Years
Conservation Groups Celebrate Half-Century of Success near Morgan City (Morgan City, LA, October 12, 2023) – For 50 years, Wax Lake Delta near Morgan City has been building large amounts of new wetlands, a sign of hope for the future of the Mississippi River Delta, one of America’s most ecologically and economically important landscapes – and one its most imperiled. The reason: The Atchafalaya and Mississippi Rivers are connected to those wetlands, constantly delivering fresh water, nutrients and land-building sediment. …
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 …
Louisiana Legislature Passes Pioneering Coastal Master Plan
Now in its fourth iteration, the plan provides a pathway to invest billions of dollars for coastal climate resilience NEW ORLEANS (May 25, 2023) – Today, Louisiana continued its leadership on climate change resilience and adaptation with the passage of the latest iteration of its Coastal Master Plan (CMP). The plan is a $50 billion, 50-year comprehensive blueprint first adopted in 2007 and updated every six years to reflect the latest science and evolving needs of vulnerable coastal communities. Following its passage, Restore …
Louisiana Voters Overwhelmingly Support Large-Scale Coastal Restoration
New poll finds significant increase in support for sediment diversions, urgent desire for action NEW ORLEANS (April 4, 2023) – There is widespread, bipartisan support for action to address Louisiana’s urgent land loss crisis through large-scale coastal restoration projects, according to a new poll released today by Global Strategy Group (GSG) on behalf of Restore the Mississippi Delta. An overwhelming 73 percent of Louisiana coastal voters support sediment diversions that address coastal restoration, up from 68 percent in 2021. Support …
Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Greenlighted with Final Permits
Record of Decision advances largest ecosystem restoration project in U.S. history NEW ORLEANS (Dec. 16, 2022) – Today, Louisiana’s Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion reached a momentous milestone as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued a Record of Decision and permits authorizing the project’s advancement. The decision – decades in the making and backed by the best available, world-class science and modeling – signifies a crucial step in turning the tide on the state’s land loss crisis. The Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion …
A Crucial Moment for Louisiana’s Future as Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Advances
Project will build land, provide storm protection and protect communities from a changing future NEW ORLEANS (Sept. 23, 2022) — Following a comprehensive evaluation and public comment period, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued their Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion project. In conjunction with this release, the Louisiana Trustee Implementation Group also released the Final Restoration Plan which proposes investing Deepwater Horizon oil spill fines to construct the project. As the single largest ecosystem restoration …
Coastal Restoration Plan Advances over $74M in Restoration Projects
Media Statement of Restore the Mississippi River Delta (New Orleans, LA.- July 29, 2022) Today, the Louisiana Trustee Implementation Group of the Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Damage Assessment Trustees released its Final Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessment #8: Wetlands, Coastal, and Nearshore Habitats. Earlier this year, over 160 representatives of business, government, environmental, community and other groups in Louisiana signed on to a letter in support of this plan. In response, Restore the Mississippi River Delta – a coalition of …