Breaux Act Newsflash - Gov Jindal announces More than $1 Billion Investment
***********************************************************************Governor Bobby Jindal Announces More than $1 Billion for Coastal Protection
and Restoration Projects in Louisiana
NEW ORLEANS - Today, Governor Bobby Jindal announced plans for more than $1
billion in coastal protection and restoration projects in Louisiana. This
announcement of projects today represents the largest investment in coastal
protection programs in Louisiana history and includes $300 million in
funding the Governor called for in his second special session of the
legislature earlier in the year, $200 million in surplus funding from the
2007 legislative session, $510 million from the Coastal Impact Assistance
Program, $83 million from the state trust fund/capital outlay and $68
million from the Coastal Wetlands Planning Protection and Restoration Act.
Governor Bobby Jindal said, "This announcement of a more than a billion
dollar investment by the state is the largest investment in coastal
restoration and protection projects in our state's history. I have said all
along that the time for studies and research has long passed. It is time to
start breaking ground and digging dirt on these projects, and with this
announcement today we are ready to do just that. These projects, along with
nearly $15 billion in ongoing coastal restoration and hurricane protection
projects in New Orleans and other areas of the state, represent one of the
largest public works efforts in the world.
"The projects and programs announced today are designed to complement the
ongoing hurricane protection work in our state. The projects include coastal
restoration efforts that will provide the coastal buffer we need to improve
our hurricane protection levees already under construction and funds to
advance hurricane protection efforts in every coastal parish in our state.
Our coastal protection efforts protect the lives of Louisiana families, our
critical infrastructure, and the resources that drive our economy. This is a
tremendous day for coastal Louisiana and our entire state."
Highlights of Governor Bobby Jindal's Announcement of More than $1 Billion
in Major Coastal Protection and Restoration Projects:
$200 million - Hurricane Protection improvements in Lafourche and Terrebonne
Parishes (Morganza to the Gulf and Larose to Golden Meadow projects).
This includes $27 million in local funds and will bring the total funds
available for the Morganza (Terrebonne and Lafourche Parishes) and Larose to
Golden Meadow (Lafourche Parish) projects to over $200 million.
The Corps will provide an additional $30 million in flood protection for
Terrebonne Parish.
$130 million - Greater New Orleans Hurricane Protection Cost Share.
While the agreement reached with the White House would not require Louisiana
to provide matching funds until 2011, this $130 million investment will help
expedite ongoing construction, which will help the Corps meet the 2011
deadline.
This is financially prudent in that future surpluses are uncertain and will
allow the state to help keep the Corps on schedule and continuing coastal
development projects.
$70 million - Caminada Headlands/Barataria Basin Shoreline Restoration.
The Caminada project will provide a buffer to storm surge in Jefferson and
Lafourche Parishes.
This includes a commitment from the state to acquire and restore Elmer's
Island and make it available to the public for fishing and other
recreational uses.
$45 million - Cameron Parish Shoreline.
This project will protect miles of coast and Highway 82 in Cameron Parish.
$37million - Sediment Pipeline for Restoration of Plaquemines, Jefferson and
Lafourche Parishes.
This dedicated pipeline will deliver land-building materials to three
parishes in coastal Louisiana.
This creates a dedicated, long-distance pipeline from the west bank of
Plaquemines Parish to Jefferson and Lafourche Parishes. These funds will
allow for the completion of construction and for operation of the pipeline.
Once this project in completed, the state will move forward on similar
projects on the Calcasieu River, Atchafalaya River into Terrebonne Parish
and other areas in Plaquemines Parish on the Mississippi River.
$24 million - Bayou Lafourche Freshwater Diversion
This investment will complete the first phase of this project and allow for
a diversion of 300 feet per second on the bayou.
The WRDA bill authorized $150 million for this project.
$26 million - Beneficial Use of Dredge Material.
Each year, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers spends nearly $200 million to
dredge navigation channels in Louisiana. Nearly all of this sediment, that
actually built Louisiana, is usually dumped into the deep waters of the Gulf
of Mexico.
In the last eight months, the state has nearly doubled the available sites
to place this dredge material and create wetlands.
This investment announced today will jumpstart the beneficial use of dredge
material, which is one of the fastest and most effective investments we can
make to restore our coastal areas.
Virtually all of the 2008 surplus spending included in the Governor's
announcement today is designed to advance federally-authorized projects,
including funds to expedite hurricane protection in the Greater New Orleans
area. Additionally, the Governor said the state will also make a robust
investment in science and technology to provide solutions to our coastal
restoration and protection challenges. He said Louisiana is on the forefront
of integrated coastal management innovations and the state is also home to
some of the best coastal scientists in the nation.
For additional information about Louisiana's coastal restoration and
hurricane protection efforts, please call Chris Macaluso in The Governor's
Office of Coastal Activities at (225) 342-3968 or email at
chris.macaluso@la.gov
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