Coastal groups call progress on Mid-Breton Sediment Diversion vital to Louisiana’s future
← Older posts Newer posts →Coastal groups call progress on Mid-Breton Sediment Diversion vital to Louisiana’s future
Project will create a sustainable coast for future generations and buffer from storms and sea level rise (NEW ORLEANS – August 3, 2020) Earlier today, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers updated the status and shared the implementation timeline of the Mid-Breton Sediment Diversion on the Federal Permitting Dashboard. The update indicates that the expected release of the draft environmental impact statement for this project will be November 2022, and a record of decision is expected by February 2024. Restore …
Coastal groups provide statement on SB440, bill aimed at coastal parishes’ oil and gas lawsuits
Responsible parties should be held accountable for damages that they caused (NEW ORLEANS – May 27, 2020) Louisiana’s Legislature is currently considering SB440, a bill that would significantly impact ongoing lawsuits on behalf of Louisiana coastal parishes seeking to hold responsible parties accountable for damages done to wetlands within their jurisdictions. The Senate decided not to take up SB359 during this session, however, key aspects of this bill have now been added to SB440 which is making its way through …
Louisiana Legislature continues unanimous support for state’s coastal projects
Decision reflects urgent need to get critical restoration and protection projects into construction as land loss crisis continues (BATON ROUGE, La. – May 22, 2020) Today, the Fiscal Year 2020 Coastal Annual Plan passed on the Louisiana Senate floor, finalizing its approval. The annual plan guides funding used to implement the 2017 Coastal Master Plan, the 50-year vision for priority coastal restoration and risk-reduction projects to restore and protect Louisiana’s coast. The legislature’s decision reflected the nearly universal belief of …
Coastal groups call on legislature to protect funding for flood protection and coastal restoration
Coastal investments will reduce impacts of hurricanes, while stimulating the economy and creating jobs NEW ORLEANS (May 19, 2020) – Yesterday, Louisiana’s House Appropriations Committee approved House Bill No. 2, the state’s Capital Outlay bill. The bill annually provides the funds for constructing projects across the state, projects that are needed more than ever because they provide jobs and stimulus to local economies. An amendment was added in committee that removed $117 million of 2018-19 surplus funds that had been included for …
Gulf Oil Spill Anniversary A Reminder of Urgent Need to Restore Ecosystems
Conservation experts urge further action to make communities and ecosystems more resilient to land loss and sea level rise NEW ORLEANS — Next week marks 10 years since the Deepwater Horizon explosion killed 11 men, released 134 million gallons of oil into open waters and devastated the Gulf Coast, destroying habitats and livelihoods. A decade after the disaster, as advocates continue to address the impacts of the spill and help make communities resilient to rising sea levels resulting from climate …
Coalition Unveils Recommendations for Continued Recovery 10 Years After Gulf Oil Spill
Strategies focus on funding, restoration project implementation and building community resilience NEW ORLEANS (March 11, 2020) — As the 10th anniversary of the Gulf oil spill approaches on April 20, Restore the Mississippi River Delta released a report today with nine recommended strategies for advancing critical ecosystem restoration in the delta, maximizing the investment opportunities of the oil spill settlement and engaging local communities for a more resilient future. The recommendations, titled “A Decade After Disaster,” were compiled by …
Governor Edwards’ Speech Seen as Paving the Way for a More Resilient Louisiana Coast
Second-term priorities integrate state agencies into coastal plan and begin to limit worst effects of sea level rise (BATON ROUGE, La. – February 20, 2020) Today, Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards outlined his second-term priorities for Louisiana’s coast and how his administration aims to protect people, wildlife and jobs in the face of the state’s ongoing land loss and climate crises. Restore the Mississippi River Delta – a coalition of national and local conservation organizations committed to coastal restoration in Louisiana …
RESTORE Council Commits Gulf Oil Spill Funds to Defend Threatened Louisiana Swamp
Project to sustain world-renowned habitat and build climate resilience of wildlife and communities (NEW ORLEANS, LA – February 12, 2020) Today, the Gulf Ecosystem Restoration Council (RESTORE Council) voted to approve funding for two important restoration priorities in the Gulf, including investing $130 million in a critical diversion project in Louisiana’s Maurepas Swamp. As ecosystems and wildlife continue to recover nearly 10 years after the Gulf oil disaster, the River Reintroduction into Maurepas Swamp project would use restoration funds from …
Louisiana Children Highlight Importance of Coastal Restoration at State Capitol
Youth advocates presented ‘Restore the Coast. Protect Their Future’ books to coastal authority board BATON ROUGE (Dec. 19, 2019) — Louisiana coastal youth advocates stressed the urgency of Louisiana’s land loss crisis and the need for large-scale coastal restoration to members of Louisiana’s Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) board during a presentation on Wednesday, Dec.18 at the State Capitol in Baton Rouge. Students hand-delivered books highlighting the results of Restore the Mississippi River Delta’s year-long “Restore the Coast. Protect …
New Study Shows Construction of Sediment Diversions Will Deliver Significant Economic Benefits
Construction will increase regional sales by $3 billion and support nearly 4,000 jobs over seven years (NEW ORLEANS, LA – Oct. 16, 2019) A new report released today by Dr. Loren C. Scott & Associates, Inc. details the regional economic impacts of building the Mid-Barataria and Mid-Breton sediment diversions. The report, “The Economic Impact of Constructing the Mid-Barataria and Mid-Breton Sediment Diversion Projects” showcases how local and state businesses, governments and residents will benefit economically during the combined seven-year period …
Maurepas Swamp Diversion Selected as Priority in Gulf Restoration Plan
Project would help sustain world-renowned swamp, provide protection for Baton Rouge and other communities (NEW ORLEANS, LA – October 9, 2019) Today the Gulf Ecosystem Restoration Council (RESTORE Council) announced restoration priorities to consider across the Gulf, which included investing in a critical diversion project in Louisiana’s Maurepas Swamp. The River Reintroduction into Maurepas Swamp project would reconnect one of the largest forested wetlands complexes in the nation with the Mississippi River to aid in preventing further wetland loss and …
Tagged coastal master plan, Maurepas Swamp, RESTORE Council, sediment diversion, swamp restorationNew Poll Shows Vast Majority of Louisiana Voters Concerned About Coastal Land Loss, Climate Change
Half of respondents say climate change is affecting them today and overwhelming number support coastal restoration efforts Poll Resources See full polling results See topline presentation Louisiana Coastal Issues Poll 2019 Listen to our podcast (NEW ORLEANS – Aug. 14, 2019) Louisiana’s fall elections will be particularly crucial for the future leadership of the state, deciding numerous seats in the Legislature, the governorship, as well as other statewide and parish offices. Ahead of these elections, a poll was released today …
New House Bill Addresses Importance of Revenue for Louisiana Coastal Restoration
Congressman Cedric Richmond’s Bill Expands Potential Funding for Gulf States (WASHINGTON — July 18, 2019) Today, members of the Louisiana congressional delegation introduced H.R. 3814, which amends the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GOMESA) to increase the share of offshore oil and gas revenues that flow to Gulf states impacted by the industry, and ensure that the additional revenue would be spent on coastal restoration and protection. Restore the Mississippi River Delta – a coalition of national and local …
Declaration of Unusual Mortality Event a Serious Concern and Further Investigation Needed
As NOAA declares UME for dolphins from Louisiana to Florida, scientific analyses must proceed in earnest (NEW ORLEANS – June 14, 2019) Earlier today, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) declared an Unusual Mortality Event (UME) as a result of elevated deaths of bottlenose dolphins in the Northern Gulf of Mexico. While the declaration extends from the Texas Border east all the way through the Florida panhandle, the exact cause of the UME is still unknown and under investigation. …
Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Faces Delays
Coastal restoration groups urge officials to redouble efforts to save time (NEW ORLEANS, LA – March 20, 2019) Today the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) announced that the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion is facing a delay of at least several months in completing the permitting phase of this keystone restoration project. In response to these timeline updates, Restore the Mississippi River Delta, a coalition of national and local conservation groups issued the following statement: “Today’s news comes less than …