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 will convey fresh water and sediment into nearby deteriorating marshes to sustain and build land over time.
In response, Restore the Mississippi River Delta – Environmental Defense Fund, the National Wildlife Federation, National Audubon Society, Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana and Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation – released the following statement:
“To confront the immense challenges facing our coast, Louisiana needs all parties working together to find solutions. We are pleased to see the commitment to cooperation among key stakeholders for this project and in the future of our coast – from the Army Corps of Engineers to CPRA to parish governments.
“The inclusion of the Mid-Breton Sediment Diversion on the Federal Dashboard will increase transparency as this vital project moves toward construction. From providing a storm surge buffer to protect communities, to restoring critical wildlife and fish habitat, it’s tantamount that the public remain informed about this project as it advances.
“If our region is to have a viable future in the face of hurricanes and sea level rise, it is imperative that projects like the Mid-Breton Sediment Diversion are built. This announcement ensures that restoration can move forward with considerable coordination and transparency necessary for its success.”
Contact:
Jacques Hebert, National Audubon Society, 504.264.6849, jhebert@audubon.org
Emily Guidry Schatzel, National Wildlife Federation, 225.253.9781, schatzele@nwf.org
Ronna Kelly, Environmental Defense Fund, 415.293.6161, rkelly@edf.org
Jimmy Frederick, Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana, 225.317.2046, jimmy.frederick@crcl.org
John Lopez, Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation, 504.421.7348, jlopez@saveourlake.org
Restore the Mississippi River Delta is working to protect people, wildlife and jobs by reconnecting the river with its wetlands. As our region faces the crisis of threatening land loss, we offer science-based solutions through a comprehensive approach to restoration. Composed of conservation, policy, science and outreach experts from Environmental Defense Fund, National Audubon Society, the National Wildlife Federation, Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation and Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana, we are located in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Washington, D.C.; and around the United States. Learn more at MississippiRiverDelta.org and on Facebook and Twitter.