Prior to 2005, Louisiana’s coastal protection and restoration efforts were handled by several local and state governmental entities with limited budgets and little to no coordination. As a result of the devastation of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the federal government agreed to provide financial support and expertise to help address Louisiana’s coastal crisis. For this assistance, the federal government requested there be one central authority that would represent the state and be accountable for oversight of all activities and funds. This authority would also have a coordinated plan of action with clear goals and achievable objectives.
Louisiana responded to this request by creating the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA). Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA). The CPRA is the single state entity with the authority to develop, articulate, implement, and enforce a comprehensive Louisiana Coastal Master Plan. This plan would use the best available science to reduce tropical storm surge flood impact (note: not from rainfall), restore our natural resources, build land, and secure Louisiana’s coast now and for future generations. In addition to the Coastal Master Plan, the CPRA is also responsible for producing an Annual Plan for legislative approval detailing which projects from the master plan are expected to be funded in each fiscal year.
The CPRA board must approve a final version of both the Coastal Master Plan (updated every six years) and the Annual Plan (updated every year) before submitting it for final approval by the Louisiana Legislature. (See Chapters 3 and 4 for more details on these plans.)
You can sign up to receive email updates from the CPRA here.
CPRA BOARD
The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Board members serve at the pleasure of the Governor and represent various agencies and geographic areas in the pursuit of coordinated coastal restoration activities.
Duties of the CPRA Board:
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Represent the state’s position in policy relative to the protection, conservation, enhancement, and restoration of the coastal area of the state;
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Develop a master plan and an annual plan for integrated coastal protection.
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Oversee the Coastal Protection and Restoration Trust Fund;
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Enforce compliance with the Coastal Master Plan; and
The CPRA Board includes the:
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Executive assistant to the governor for coastal activities. (serves as Chair of the Board)
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Secretary of the Department of Conservation and Energy, Secretary of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Secretary of the Department of Environmental Quality
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Representatives from the following basins: Pontchartrain, Breton or Mississippi Delta, Barataria, Terrebonne, Atchafalaya, Mermentau or Tech/Vermilion, Calcasieu/Sabine
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Chair of the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Coastal Protection, Restoration, and Conservation
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Speaker of the House of Representatives (or designee)
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President of the Senate (or designee)
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Lieutenant governor (or designee)
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Three at-large members who shall be appointed by the governor
To see the current representatives on the CPRA Board, visit https://coastal.la.gov/about/structure/cpra-board/members/
POINTS OF CONTACT
CPRA and Governor’s Office
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Michael Hare, Executive Director, Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority. Contact: elizabeth.shoenfelt@la.gov
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Ryan Shaw, Director of Outreach and Engagement, Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, ryan.shaw@la.gov
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Gordon “Gordy” Dove, CPRA Chair of the Board and Executive Assistant to the Chairman of the CPRA Board. Contact: Enger Kinchen: enger.kinchen@la.gov
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MRD Contact
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- Lauren Bourg, Director, Mississippi River Delta Program, National Audubon Society: lauren.bourg@audubon.org