Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority plan approved

Louisiana legislators focused on coastal restoration and resources Wednesday, approving the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority plan for the fiscal year 2016-2017 detailing how to combat growing issue of land loss across the state’s Gulf Coast.
The annual plan was approved through House Concurrent Resolution No. 2, authored by Rep. Stuart Bishop, R-Lafayette, chairman of the Natural Resources and Environment committee. The resolution moved without opposition to the full House with a favorable recommendation.
The committee also passed House Bill 640 by Rep. Walt Leger, D-New Orleans, authorizing the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Board to establish a restoration bank program to offset oil spill damages in coastal areas in Louisiana.
“It allows us to continue to move forward with these kind of projects and provide an opportunity to settle any liability that occurs prospectively…in a fashion that ensures are not just doing restoration projects here and there and all over the place in small amounts. Rather it focuses on more meaningful and larger restoration efforts.”
Leger said CPRA approached him to sponsor the bill.
Prior to voting on new legislation, the House Natural Resources and Environment Committee heard Johnny Bradberry, executive assistant to Gov. John Bel Edwards on coastal activities and CPRA board chairman, updating Louisiana’s coastal issues.
Key points made by Bradberry:
If nothing is done to change it, Louisiana will lose up to 1,756 square miles of land in the next 50 years.
Of the coastal marsh in the continental U.S., 37 percent is located in Louisiana.
If future funding is approved, Louisiana could have a “no net loss situation” by 2040, meaning no additional land would be lost.
When it comes to coastal restoration, Louisiana is “behind the 8 ball,”
Louisiana is No. 3 state in the nation when it comes to natural gas production.
Bradberry said the formula for success of longevity and sustainability is a combination of efforts including restoring segments of the coast, putting more sediment into the coastal area, “consistently and constantly fighting storms,” and having “good science” behind where and how barrier islands are built.
“You can’t just go out there and put rocks wherever you think you need rocks,” Bradberry said.