Coastal Master Plan

Submerged aquatic vegetation, a key indicator of freshwater marsh health, is in abundance in the waters of Bay Denesse on Sept. 12, 2022, where efforts to cut small crevasses and build terraces have led to new land. Bay Denesse connects to the new, larger Mississippi River crevasse known as Neptune Pass on Plaquemines Parish's east bank.

As clock ticks down, advocates urge state to find new funding for coastal restoration

Halle Parker

Billions of dollars in procured from oil giant BP has been the main source of coastal restoration funding. But that money is set to run out in 2031. A new brief pushes urgency.

Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Board Chairman Chip Kline speaks at the Bayou Chene Floodgate ceremony in April 2022.

Coastal Desk

Louisiana top coastal official resigns in final months of Edwards’ term

Halle Parker

Louisiana’s top coastal restoration official declared his plans to resign during a speech at one of the state’s largest coastal conferences on Wednesday. Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority chairman Chip Kline marks the latest of Gov. John Bel Edwards’ appointees to step down from their position as the Democratic governor’s term nears its close in January 2024.

An aerial view of Port Fourchon's Coastal Wetlands Park, which is 100 acres of wetlands built with material dredged for the industry to maintain habitat and create opportunities for eco-tourism.

Coastal Desk

CPRA board approves final version of 50-year, $50B plan to protect Louisiana's eroding coastline

Halle Parker

The state coastal board on Wednesday unanimously approved the latest iteration of Louisiana’s 50-year, $50 billion plan to combat land loss and protect coastal communities from hurricanes.

Officials view dredging at the Lake Borgne Marsh Creation Project in St. Bernard Parish

Coastal Desk

Largest marsh restoration project at Lake Borgne eyes 2025 completion date; see updates

Kezia Setyawan

Over the last 50 years, saltwater intrusion and coastal erosion have turned Lake Borgne and its surrounding areas into swaths of unprotected, open water. But an ongoing $114.6 million Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority project has aimed to recreate that lost land.

An aerial shot of wetlands in southeast Louisiana.

Coastal Desk

Louisiana unveils update to 50-year, $50 billion plan to restore its eroding coastline

Halle Parker

Officials in Louisiana unveiled the latest version of the state’s 50-year, $50 billion plan to restore its degraded coast and enhance hurricane protection on Friday afternoon, kicking off what will be a months-long approval process.

Aerial view of the completed Trinity-East Barrier Island off the coast of Terrebonne Parish.

Coastal Desk

A look at Louisiana's restored barrier islands, the state's largest coastal project to date

Kezia Setyawan

The Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority just announced the completion of the Terrebonne Barrier Island and Beach Nourishment project. Barrier islands act as the first line of defense against storms coming from the Gulf of Mexico.

Louisiana’s Coastal Master Plan has been drafted, but the state is still trying to come up with the money to rebuild coastal wetlands.

News

Louisiana Considered: Louisiana’s Coastal Master Plan, LIGO Observes Black Hole Eating Neutron Star

Adam Vos

Adam Vos hosted this Thursday’s episode of Louisiana Considered.

Coastal Desk

Officials Reduce Major Levee Project Price Tag, Hope To Entice Federal Funding

Travis Lux

Local officials hope a major levee project along the central Louisiana coast is one step closer to receiving federal funding.Morganza to the Gulf is a…