USA: Governor of Louisiana Announces USD 60 Million for Coastal Projects

July 21, 2011

More dredging could soon be under way to help increase the fresh water flow in Bayou Lafourche thanks to an infusion of coastal cash from leftover offshore oil revenue.

Gov. Bobby Jindal announced the dedication of $60 million in Coastal Impact Assistance Program dollars for six restoration and protection projects in Lafourche, Terrebonne, Plaquemines, Jefferson and St. Bernard Parishes.

He spoke to a crowd of local parish officials and coastal advocates at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux Wednesday.

The program, signed into law in 2005, sends a portion of money made from drilling in the Outer Continental Shelf between 2007 and 2010 back to Gulf Coast states for coastal projects. Louisiana was awarded $495 million in CIAP dollars.

The $60 million is left over from other coastal projects that came in under-budget or have been delayed too long by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jindal said.

“We’ve run into substantial delays with the corps, but we’re not going to let red tape and studies get in our way,” Jindal said. “These coastal projects are aimed at rehabilitating the coast and turning back the clock on coastal erosion.”

All the projects must undergo a 30-day public comment period, but after that, they should be ready to begin, Jindal said.

Of that money, $20 million will be dedicated to reintroducing more Mississippi River water flow down Bayou Lafourche.

[mappress]
Source: dailycomet, July 21, 2011