**DRAFT 2012 COASTAL MASTER PLAN RELEASE**

A ground-breaking planning effort by the state's Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority shows that while the future looks bleak, we have the opportunity to take bold action to save the coast and secure south Louisiana's future.

The CPRA's Draft 2012 Coastal Master Plan is based on a two-year analysis involving some of the state's best scientists as well as national and international specialists. The state used this analysis to select 145 high-performing projects that could deliver measurable benefits to our communities and coastal ecosystem over the coming decades. The plan shows that if these projects were fully funded, at a pricetag of $50 billion, we could substantially increase flood protection for communities and create a sustainable coast.

Louisiana is in the midst of a land loss crisis that has claimed 1,883 square miles of land since the 1930s. Given the importance of so many of south Louisiana's natural assets-its waterways, natural resources, unique culture and wetlands-this land loss crisis is nothing short of a national emergency, one that takes a daily toll on the lives of coastal residents. To address this crisis the Louisiana Legislature passed Act 8 in 2006, which created the CPRA and required it to develop a coastal master plan every five years. The first master plan was approved by the legislature in 2007. The new master plan, now under public review, will be submitted to the legislature for approval this spring.

Citizens are invited to review the draft master plan during the two-month comment period, from January 12 to February 25, 2012. Click here to view a copy of the plan. Copies will also be available at select public libraries in coastal parishes. The CPRA will be conducting three public meetings to gather public comments. Each meeting will include an open house from 1:00 to 5:30 PM and a public hearing from 5:30 to 7:30 PM.

• January 23, 2012, 1:00 - 7:30 PM, University of New Orleans - Lindy Boggs Conference Center Auditorium
• January 24, 2012, 1:00 - 7:30 PM, Houma Terrebonne Civic Center
• January 25, 2012, 1:00 - 7:30 PM, Lake Charles Civic Center

If you have questions about the draft plan, please contact us at MasterPlan@la.gov.