For Immediate Release: March 5, 2008
Contact: Chris Macaluso
(225) 342-3968
chris.macaluso@la.gov
Governor Jindal to Discuss Historic Coastal Restoration and Protection Commitment Today in Houma
HOUMA -- Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal will hold a press conference at 3 p.m. today in Houma at Copeland's Restaurant located at 1534 Martin Luther King Blvd. to discuss his request to the State Legislature that $300 million be dedicated to coastal restoration and hurricane protection efforts during the upcoming special session.
The $300 million request represents the largest financial commitment to hurricane protection and coastal restoration in Louisiana's history. It will be used to advance projects within the vision of the CPRA's Master Plan for Coastal Restoration and Hurricane Protection throughout coastal Louisiana including: flood protection for parts of Orleans, Cameron and Vermillion Parishes, the Southwest Louisiana Integrated Protection Plan, the Morganza-to-the-Gulf Hurricane Protection System in Terrebonne Parish, barrier island restoration and freshwater diversion projects throughout the coastal zone and the advancement of coastal science and engineering initiatives.
Governor Jindal announced the request Tuesday when he outlined his plans for the second special session of 2008 which is set to begin March 9. The commitment to coastal restoration and hurricane protection efforts made by Governor Jindal is part of a $1.08 billion budget surplus that will be dedicated to a number of pressing needs. Please click here for a complete list of the initiatives for the upcoming session.
For more information about today's press conference or the CPRA, please contact Chris Macaluso in the Governor's Office of Coastal Activities 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.
