Next week, the State of Louisiana is hosting public meetings regarding Louisiana’s FY2015 coastal Annual Plan and the Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) Trustees Early Restoration Phase III Plan and Early Restoration Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) from the Deepwater Horizon disaster. This is a prime occasion to show support for moving large-scale, comprehensive ecosystem restoration forward at a critical and opportune time for coastal Louisiana. This meeting will provide the opportunity to learn about proposed and ongoing restoration projects in Louisiana totaling upwards of $2 billion. You will hear straight from decision-makers about plans to spend restoration dollars and have the chance to ask questions and give comments.
Three meetings will be held across the coast beginning at 5:30pm:
1/14, Belle Chasse
1/15, Thibodaux
1/16, Lake Charles
Please see meeting details and links to the plans and reports in the note from the State below.
I hope to see you there!
Best,
Amanda R. Moore
National Wildlife Federation
Greater New Orleans Program Manager
Mississippi River Delta Restoration Campaign
office: (504) 273-4838
www.mississippiriverdelta.org
www.mrgomustgo.org
The CPRA has released the draft of our Fiscal Year 2015 Annual Plan, Integrated Ecosystem Restoration and Hurricane Protection in Coastal Louisiana.
This is our yearly report on our progress in implementing the State Master Plan and a look forward to what is planned for the coming fiscal year and the two fiscal years that follow.
You can download a copy at coastal.la.gov/annualplan |
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Three joint public meetings will be held to discuss and receive comments on the Draft FY 2015 Annual Plan and to solicit feedback on behalf of the Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Damage Assessment Trustees regarding the Draft Programmatic and Phase III Early Restoration Plan and Draft Early Restoration Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement.
The Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Damage Assessment Trustees have released the Draft Programmatic and Phase III Early Restoration Plan and Draft Early Restoration Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (Draft Phase III ERP/PEIS). The Draft Phase III ERP/PEIS proposes $627 million in early restoration projects across the Gulf states, including $340 million for projects in Louisiana. This investment is part of the $1 billion that BP agreed to invest for early restoration of damaged natural resources resulting from the Spill. The draft document also describes the Trustees proposed programmatic approach to continuing to pursue early restoration.
As announced by Governor Jindal in May, the proposed Louisiana projects include:
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Louisiana Outer Coast Restoration ($318 million) – This project aims to restore beach, dune, and back-barrier marsh habitats at four barrier island locations in Louisiana. From west to east, the four locations are Caillou Lake Headlands (also known as Whiskey Island), Chenier Ronquille, Shell Island (West Lobe and portions of East Lobe), and North Breton Island.
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Louisiana Marine Fisheries Enhancement, Research, and Science Center ($22 million) – This project would establish state of the art facilities to responsibly develop aquaculture-based techniques for marine fishery management. The proposed project would include two sites (Calcasieu Parish and Plaquemines Parish) with the shared goals of fostering collaborative multi-dimensional research on marine sport fish and bait fish species; enhancing stakeholder involvement; and providing fisheries extension, outreach, and education to the public.
We are encouraging the public to review the Draft Phase III ERP/PEIS and to submit comments on both the programmatic approach taken in this draft document and the proposed Phase III Early Restoration projects.
All meetings will begin with an open house at 5:30 p.m., with presentations beginning at 6:00 p.m. Please consider joining us at one of the following:
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Tuesday, January 14 |
Wednesday, January 15 |
Thursday, January 16 |
Belle Chasse Auditorium
8398 Louisiana 23
Belle Chasse, Louisiana |
Warren J. Harang Jr.,
Municipal Auditorium
Plantation Room
310 North Canal Blvd.
Thibodaux, Louisiana |
Spring Hill Suites Lake Charles
Pelican Room
1551 West Prien Lake Rd.
Lake Charles, Louisiana |
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Public comments (on the Annual Plan) will be accepted until February 19, 2014 and should be addressed to:
CPRA Annual Plan
P.O. Box 44027
Baton Rouge, LA 70804
You may also send public comments via e-mail to: Chuck.Perrodin@LA.gov. |
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1051 North 3rd Street, Suite 138, Baton Rouge, LA 70804
(225) 342-3968 |
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