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Untitled Document
Environment and Infrastructure
The Gulf Coast states of Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi have experienced an extremely high rate of land loss due to human intervention and natural disasters. Barrier islands and wetlands, coupled with levees, create the three tiers of defense necessary for adequate protection from hurricanes along the Gulf Coast; however, more needs to be done to rebuild these natural defenses and to mitigate future disasters in order to save money over the long term.
The White House Road Map for Restoring Ecosystem Resiliency and Sustainability creates important opportunities for the restoration and protection of coastal areas. Full implementation of this plan would provide significant mitigation from future disasters. However, existing laws must also be fully implemented and funded for partially completed and authorized projects.
The Equity and Inclusion Campaign calls on elected and appointed officials to:
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Fully implement and enforce The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), such that timelines for project completion are met. Waive cost sharing provisions of restoration projects. These should be fully funded by federal authorities as emergency measures in order for states and federal authorities to save money in the long term through mitigation and hazard prevention in the short term. Louisiana’s contribution to the nation in oil and gas revenues and production should be quantified against cost sharing requirements for future and existing projects.
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Revise cost-benefit analysis formulas to include social and cultural factors as it pertains to project selection and implementation.
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Include participation from civil society and citizens living along the Gulf Coast in any plan for restoration and mitigation. Engage stakeholders from proposal development through implementation.
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Immediately authorize and appropriate funds for four stalled projects, including the Morganza to the Gulf Risk Reduction Project, the St. Mary to Terrebonne sediment pipeline, locks to the Houma Navigation Canal, and extension of the Mississippi River Long Distance Pipeline to Terrebonne Parish.
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