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 groups working together to address Louisiana’s land loss crisis– Environmental Defense Fund, National Audubon Society, the National Wildlife Federation, Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation and Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana – released the following statement:

“We have no time to lose when it comes to addressing Louisiana’s land loss crisis. Our state needs projects turning dirt, and quickly, if we are to avoid a future where we lose an additional 4,000 square miles of our coast. The legislature’s unanimous approval of the Coastal Annual Plan recognizes that urgency. Delay is not an option.”

“Louisiana again has demonstrated how it is a global leader in dealing with land loss and planning for its future. The state continues to demonstrate a true commitment to putting science ahead of politics and acknowledging that – despite geography, political party, or background – we are all united in combating a common enemy: continued coastal land loss.”

Contact:
Jacques Hebert, National Audubon Society, 504.264.6849, jhebert@audubon.org
Elizabeth Skree, Environmental Defense Fund, 202.553.2543, eskree@edf.org
Emily Guidry Schatzel, National Wildlife Federation, 225.253.9781, schatzele@nwf.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, Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana and Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation, we are located in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Washington, D.C.; and around the United States. Learn more at MississippiRiverDelta.org and connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.