Press Releases

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

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 …

Coastal Restoration Organizations Praise Appointment of New CPRA Interim Chairperson

Chip Kline’s vast experience will provide ‘steady hand’ during critical time for Louisiana’s coast (Baton Rouge— December 6, 2018) Today, Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards announced changes in the leadership of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, with Johnny Bradberry stepping down after two years of service and Chip Kline being appointed Interim Executive Assistant to the Governor for Coastal Activities, as well as Interim Chairperson of the state’s Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA). Restore the Mississippi River Delta, …

As Senate Committee Proposes New Commitments of Offshore Energy Dollars, Cassidy Highlights Critical Funding Need for Louisiana Coastal Restoration

Amendment Expands Potential Funding for Restoration in Gulf States (WASHINGTON — October 2, 2018) At a legislative markup today in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) pressed for increased funding to restore the Mississippi River Delta and the Louisiana coast, even as bills were advanced that would direct federal energy revenue derived from this ecosystem to other national needs.  The Cassidy amendment, like legislation passed by a key House committee just two weeks ago, amends …

New Poll Shows Louisianians’ Overwhelming Bipartisan Support for Coastal Restoration

Majority of coastal voters support sediment diversions, believe more funds should be allocated to restoration solutions Poll Resources See full polling results Read more about the poll Listen to our podcast There is widespread, bipartisan support for action in addressing Louisiana’s coastal land loss crisis, according to a new poll released today by BDPC, LLC + Pinsonat and Restore the Mississippi River Delta. Of note, 79 percent of coastal voters said they support sediment diversions, large-scale engineering projects that would …

House Committee Discusses Importance of Revenue for Louisiana Coastal Restoration

Congressman Garret Graves’ Bill Expands Potential Funding for Gulf States (WASHINGTON — September 13, 2018) Today, the House Committee on Natural Resources is considering H.R. 6771, a bill introduced yesterday by Congressman Garret Graves (R-La.), 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. Restore the Mississippi River Delta – a coalition of national and local conservation organizations committed to …

Legal Action from the State on Mid-Barataria Delays Will Be Necessary Without Agreement

To avoid continued devastating land loss, Plaquemines Parish needs action, not politics (NEW ORLEANS – June 20, 2018)  Earlier today, Louisiana’s Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) Board voted to proceed with legal action to ensure continued progress on the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion if the State could not come to an agreement with the Plaquemines Parish government. The Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion, a cornerstone Master Plan coastal restoration project that has been studied for decades, is currently in Engineering & Design …

Restore the Mississippi River Delta Unveils ‘Coast 360: A Virtual Day in the Delta’

Innovative video transports viewers to front lines of Louisiana’s land loss crisis and restoration solutions NEW ORLEANS, La. (May 30, 2018) — This week, in conjunction with the State of the Coast Conference, Restore the Mississippi River Delta, a coalition working to protect people, wildlife and jobs by reconnecting the river and its wetlands, launched a high-quality 360-video experience that conveys issues of coastal land loss and the urgent need for coastal restoration. “Coast 360: A Virtual Day in the …

Louisiana Legislature Unanimously Approves Plan Funding Coastal Restoration & Protection

2019 Coastal Annual Plan dedicates over $600 million to coastal projects across the state (BATON ROUGE, La. – May 11, 2018) Today, the Fiscal Year 2019 Coastal Annual Plan passed unanimously on the Louisiana Senate floor—its last stop during this 2018 regular session.  This plan is the annual funding vehicle that supports the implementation of the 2017 Coastal Master Plan, the 50-year vision for priority coastal restoration and risk-reduction projects to restore and protect Louisiana’s coast.  National and local conservation …

Timeline for Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Accelerated by Two Years

Conservation groups applaud agencies for advancing crucial coastal restoration project (NEW ORLEANS, LA – April 2, 2018) Earlier today, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Louisiana Coastal Protection & Restoration Authority (CPRA) announced an update to the permitting timeline for the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion. The updates will advance the target date for completion of an Environmental Impact Statement and issuance of required decisions and permits from 2022 to 2020, shaving 22 months off the original schedule. Restore the …

Trustees Finalize Plan to Restore Vital Ecosystem Damaged by Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

  Plan recommends sediment diversions, other restoration projects to address damage to habitat (NEW ORLEANS, LA – March 22, 2018) Earlier this week, Louisiana’s Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) Trustee Implementation Group (TIG) released a final restoration plan outlining priorities to repair damages and restore ecosystems in Louisiana’s Barataria Basin following the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. In addition to being severely impacted by the spill, Barataria Basin has experienced some of the worst land loss in the country, and, …

Congress Advances Coastal Restoration Projects in Louisiana via Supplemental Aid Bill

Conservation groups applaud Louisiana’s governor and congressional delegation for supporting ecosystem restoration  (WASHINGTON – Feb. 12, 2018) Late last week, Congress passed a supplemental aid bill that funds relief and recovery efforts across the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean following the devastating 2017 Atlantic hurricane season. In addition to this much-needed disaster relief funding, the bill included a provision at the request of Governor Edwards, spearheaded by Louisiana’s congressional delegation, that supports three large-scale ecosystem restoration projects from the …