Louisiana Department of Natural Resources Secretary Scott Angelle has announced the funding allocations that the state and parish governments will receive for the next two years for the Coastal Impact Assistance Program (CIAP). The CIAP allocations are calculated by the U.S. Department of Interior’s Minerals Management Service (MMS), based on Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) oil and gas revenues.

According to the MMS funding levels presented by federal officials in April, allocations for FY 2007 and FY 2008 were based on FY 2006 offshore oil and gas revenues, while FY 2009 and 2010 allocations will be based on FY 2008 revenues.

“The state and coastal parishes are another step closer to getting a number of diverse coastal restoration projects off the drawing board and on the ground,” said Secretary Angelle.  He said that MMS calculations designate $127.6 million for Louisiana with $44.5 million going to the 19 coastal parishes, for years 2007 and 2008.

He said that fine-tuning of the plan is now underway to reflect changes in some parish funding levels and next month, DNR expects to submit a final draft to MMS for approval.

“Louisiana has set the example for the other coastal states that are in the planning stages for their CIAP plans. In February, MMS requested that our coastal project managers provide a presentation of our draft CIAP plan to its OCS Policy Committee comprised of officials from over a dozen states,” Angelle said.

“DNR remains focused on getting quality construction projects on the ground once the plan is approved with minimal delays. The vital coastal restoration work that we do contributes to the vitality of our energy infrastructure,” Angelle noted.

Offshore revenue sharing with six oil and gas producing coastal states, became a reality with the passage of the U.S. Energy Policy Act of 2005; Louisiana’s share of CIAP funding was earmarked at 52 percent. This new CIAP program extends through 2010, in which the state will receive 65 percent of the money.

The annual parish amounts (FY 2007-08) are listed here:

The CIAP monies listed here will support the program for FY 2007 and 2008. In April 2009, MMS is expected to announce the funding allocations for 2009 and 2010. Those amounts will be based on FY 2008 OCS revenues.