For Immediate Release: July 16, 2009
Contact: Chris Macaluso
(225) 342-3968
chris.macaluso@la.gov

The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority along with the Governor's Office of Coastal Activities will conduct a series of public meetings July 28, 29 and 30 in Lake Charles, Houma and Harahan to seek constructive input on ways to reform the Army Corps of Engineers and make coastal restoration and protection efforts more efficient.

Meeting locations, dates and times are:

Tuesday, July 28, 5:30 p.m. Lake Charles: Lake Charles Civic Center, Jean Lafitte Room. 900 Lakeshore Drive, Lake Charles.

Wednesday, July 29, 5:30 p.m. Houma: Government Tower. Parish Council Chambers, Second Floor. 8026 Main Street, Houma.

Thursday, July 30, 6:30 p.m. Harahan: Jefferson Parish Council Chambers, Joseph S Yenni Building, 1221 Elmwood Park Blvd, Harahan.

The meetings aim to unite civic leaders, non-profit and levee board members and parish, local and state officials as well as area residents to develop constructive ideas and gather input regarding a host of changes that can be made to the organization and methodology of the Corps of Engineers.

The recommended changes are intended to expedite the building of vital coastal restoration and hurricane protection projects in Coastal Louisiana that are being delayed by time consuming and regressive federal regulations and bureaucracies.

A draft list of recommendations developed by the Governor's Office of Coastal Activities can be viewed by clicking here.

Public comments and recommendations will be used to develop a list of reforms that will be presented to federal officials and Congressional members in early September.

Suggestions and comments can be submitted by email at info@lacpra.org or by calling the Governor's Office of Coastal Activities at (225) 342-3968.

For more information about Louisiana's ongoing coastal restoration and hurricane protection efforts, please contact Chris Macaluso at 225-342-3968 or by email at chris.macaluso@la.gov.

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 Louisiana Office of Coastal Protection and Restoration, 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.