White Paper Stresses Aggressive Approach to Coastal Land Loss

A newly defined state policy for coastal restoration is the focus of "A White Paper: the State of Louisiana's Policy for Coastal Restoration Activities," released in May by the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources. The document stresses the state's mission to seek an aggressive approach to coastal land loss by fast-tracking restoration projects and beginning barrier island preservation immediately.

The 11-page document was endorsed by Governor Edwin Edwards, DNR Secretary Jack McClanahan, the governor's Executive Assistant for Coastal Activities Len Bahr, and former DNR Assistant Secretary Ivor van Heerden.

"This White Paper is step one in the commitment made at the Coastal Summit held in late January; that is, to achieve one master plan for saving Louisiana's valuable coastline," said van Heerden. Once the master plan is drafted, it will undergo a two-month public comment period. At that time, user groups, local and federal governments, and individuals may provide comments and opinions about the unified plan.

Louisiana's Coastal Summit '95 encouraged public participation and open discussion of many crucial coastal restoration issues. These included the need for one official state plan, determining property rights and ownership in the coastal zone, solutions to problems with current oyster leasing processes, funding needs and cost-sharing on projects, better coordination by governmental agencies, defined guidelines for project selection, and the demand for public education and information. Nearly 300 people from government and the private sector attended the summit to address wetland loss and rehabilitation.

Several strategies are outlined in the White Paper:

• Develop the state's game plan
• Assume the lead for fiscal responsibility
• Generate additional funding mechanisms
• Refine the state's administration
• Revise the project screening, evaluation, and selection process
• Secure funding for maintenance of federal navigation channel banks

"We have pushed to reassess our restoration program, moved toward our goal of a unified plan, and now seek implementation of our strategies with cooperation from our CWPPRA partners and others involved in coastal revitalization," said DNR Secretary McClanahan.