Office of Coastal Management

Environmental advisors to the President in La. for two days

The Governor's Office of Coastal Activities and the La. Dept. of Natural Resources announced today the schedule of events for state government officials meeting with President Bush's top environmental advisors. The group will meet in New Orleans, Port Fourchon in LaFourche Parish, and in Baton Rouge.

The visiting guests include Jim Connaughton, who chairs the Council on Environmental Quality for the White House. He and several other officials from Washington will hear about coastal land loss and restoration in the state. Emphasis will also be placed on how energy sources, birds, fish and wildlife, oil and gas infrastructure, and communities are at risk.

Members of the news media are advised of the following schedule.

Wednesday, May 21
7:30 - 9:30 a.m.
New Orleans
Wyndham Riverside, 701 Convention Center Blvd, New Orleans
Briefing by state officials and national environmental groups

Wednesday, May 21
1:00 - 3:30 p.m.
Fourchon Operations Center near Port Fourchon
108 A. P. Rappelet Road (LA 3090)
Briefings on and by oil and gas industry and ties to Louisiana's coast
3:30 p.m. bus tour of Port Fourchon
4:00 p.m. boat tour of oil and gas infrastructure
6 p.m. seafood boil at Port Fourchon

Thursday, May 22
Fourchon Operations Center
9:15 a.m.
Roundtable discussion with Bush Administration officials and state officials and federal agency partners about collaborative efforts to restore the coast and on public/private partnerships

Thursday, May 22
about 1:00 p.m.
Governor's Mansion, Baton Rouge
Following lunch: Governor Foster and White House officials and state officials will be available to the media on steps of Mansion. 

Contact: DNR Public Information at 225-342-8955 or GOCA at 342-3968