The Louisiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will host two CIAP “Open House” Public Meetings for the public to review, discuss and comment on all project proposals submitted to the State for Coastal Impact Assistance Program (CIAP) funding.

Two meetings have been scheduled:

Tuesday, June 20, 2006 
11:00 am to 6:30 pm 
LaSalle Building 
Griffon Room
617 North 3rd Street 
Baton Rouge, LA 

Thursday, June 22, 2006 
11:00 am to 6:30 pm 
Estuarine Habitats and Coastal Fisheries Center
646 Cajundome Blvd. 
Lafayette, LA  
Note: building adjacent to the USGS/National Wetlands Research Center

CIAP was authorized by Section 384 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and will provide an estimated $540 million in federal funding to Louisiana and its coastal parishes during fiscal years 2007 through 2010.  To obtain CIAP funds, the state must submit an acceptable Plan to the Department of the Interior’s Minerals Management Service.  That Plan will identify projects to be supported with the funds that will allocated to the state (65%) and the coastal parishes (35%).

Any questions or comments about the CIAP program can be directed to project managers, Will Norman or Greg Grandy at the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources at (225) 342-7308.