For Immediate Release: January 16, 2009
Contact: Chris Macaluso
(225) 342-3968
chris.macaluso@la.gov
***PLEASE NOTE: The following press release was originally posted on Governor Bobby Jindal's website www.gov.louisiana.gov January 16***
State Makes Official 30-Year Cost-Share Agreement For Levee Construction
NEW ORLEANS -- The State of Louisiana and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers signed an official agreement today granting Louisiana the flexibility to pay the required match for levee construction over 30 years. Garret Graves, Director of the Governor's Office of Coastal Activities, represented the state at today's signing event.
Governor Bobby Jindal said, "Today's signing to officially grant Louisiana the flexibility to pay the required match for levee construction over 30 years marks a critical step in our recovery process. The agreement relieves Louisiana of a serious financial burden that would have been difficult for the state to meet and would have delayed the rebuilding of our levee protection system that our citizens were promised and deserve. With the signing of this agreement, we can get started right away on coastal restoration and hurricane protection projects vital to the recovery of our state and the safety of our people. We appreciate the work of the administration, and General Douglas O'Dell who has worked diligently to make this agreement a reality."
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The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority's mandate is to develop, implement and enforce a comprehensive coastal protection and restoration master plan. For the first time in Louisiana's history, this single state authority will integrate coastal restoration and hurricane protection by marshalling the expertise and resources of the Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Transportation and Development, and other state agencies, to speak with one clear voice for the future of Louisiana's coast. Working with federal, state and local political subdivisions, including levee districts, the CPRA will work to establish a safe and sustainable coast that will protect our communities, the nation's critical energy infrastructure, and our bountiful natural resources for generations to come. The CPRA of Louisiana was established by Act 8 of the 1st Extraordinary Session of 2005.
