Press Releases

Maurepas Swamp Diversion Selected as Priority in Gulf Restoration Plan

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 …

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 …