Press Releases

Coalition Unveils Recommendations for Continued Recovery 10 Years After Gulf Oil Spill

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 …

New 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 …

Unprecedented Repeat Opening of Bonnet Carré Spillway Underscores Need to Manage Mississippi River Differently

Conservation Groups Emphasize Currently Untapped Coastal Restoration Potential of River (NEW ORLEANS – February 27, 2019) On Wednesday, February 27, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) plans to open the Bonnet Carré Spillway in St. Charles Parish, alleviating pressure on downriver levees and preventing flooding. An unprecedented event, this will mark the third time the spillway is opened in the last four years – the first time in history to be opened in back-to-back years. It is the result …

Increased Coordination and Transparency Critical in Permitting Mid-Breton Sediment Diversion

Inclusion of Mid-Breton Sediment Diversion on Federal Permitting Dashboard Important Step Forward (New Orleans, LA – February 14, 2019) Louisiana’s Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) announced today that the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has approved its request to include the Mid-Breton Sediment Diversion on the Federal Permitting Dashboard. The Mid-Breton Sediment Diversion, which will be located on the east bank of the Mississippi River in Plaquemines Parish, is currently in the engineering and design phase and …

“Protect Our Coast. Protect Their Future.” Commercial Shows What’s at Stake for Future Generations of America

Restore the Mississippi River Delta urges action for an area of the country vanishing at an alarming rate New Orleans, La. (January 30, 2019) — Every 100 minutes, a football field of land disappears into the Gulf of Mexico. To highlight this national land loss crisis, Restore the Mississippi River Delta will release a commercial during the Big Game on Feb. 3 that urges viewers across the United States to take necessary action to protect and restore an area that …

Governor’s Announcements Demonstrate Progress on Louisiana’s Coast

Commitment of state funds to coastal priorities is necessary in face of urgent crisis (Baton Rouge — January 23, 2019) Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards made two key announcements today for funding and strong leadership of coastal programs to address the state’s land loss crisis. First, the Governor has proposed allocating $55 million from state surplus dollars to the constitutionally-protected Coastal Trust Fund to support projects in the Louisiana Coastal Master Plan to address the crisis, as well as announcing …

Coastal Groups Praise Decision to Maximize Land-Building of Mid-Breton Sediment Diversion

Decision shows best-available science guiding restoration efforts on Louisiana’s rapidly-changing coast (Baton Rouge— January 16, 2019) At today’s monthly board meeting of the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA), sediment diversions lead Brad Barth announced that the agency will expand the study for the Mid-Breton Sediment Diversion from 35,000 to 75,000 cubic feet per second (cfs). Scientists and engineers hired to analyze the project have concluded that expanding the study will capture more sediment and fresh water from the …