For Immediate Release: July 17, 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 July 17***

Governor Jindal and CPRA Chairman Graves Issue Statements on National Academy of Science Evaluation of Corps of Engineers

BATON ROUGE - Today, the National Academy of Science released an evaluation of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration report. Governor Bobby Jindal and Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Chair Garret Graves issued the following statements in response to the evaluation:

Governor Jindal said, "This report confirms what we've been saying - we need action, not more studies. To waste years and millions of dollars on a report without specific steps to protect the two million citizens of South Louisiana is inexcusable. The Corps must use this opportunity to work with the state on revisions to the plan, follow Congress' direction and provide a clear path forward to protect and restore coastal Louisiana."

Chairman Graves said, "The NRC recommendations are spot-on. They did an excellent job. We look forward to working closely with the Corps of Engineers to develop an aggressive path forward that will provide strong, sustainable protection to the north shore and south-central and southwestern Louisiana while further improving protection to the Greater New Orleans area.

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.

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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.