Lease Sales

Governor and Corps to sign historic agreement

Work on LCA Plan for coastal restoraton moves forward

Louisiana and the federal government will sign a partnership agreement on Monday, Jan. 31st, dedicating their combined efforts toward a common goal of reversing the current trend of degradation to Louisiana's valuable coastal ecosystem.

Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco and Lt. Gen. Carl A. Strock, chief of engineers, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Washington D.C., will participate in an official ceremony, beginning at 9 a.m. at the Energy, Coast and Environment Building at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge.

Gen. Strock will sign his own chief of engineer's report, a summary for the Congress, of the Louisiana Coastal Area Ecosystem Restoration Study. The study is a multi-agency achievement of the Corps and the state through the Department of Natural Resources. DNR Secretary Scott Angelle will also participate in the event.

The entire LCA study contains five massive volumes of work, including a main report, environmental impact statement, public comments and responses, maps and modeling illustrations, and plan formulation. The study report was completed by a team of 150 members having spent close to three years on the study.

To recognize those individuals involved in the LCA effort over the years, a pair of symbolic Team Achievement Awards will be presented during the ceremony by Corps officials. DNR Project Manager Jonathan Porthouse will be recognized for his lead role as the state's partner.

Editors: For more information, please contact DNR Public Information Director Phyllis F. Darensbourg at 225-342-8955 or the Office of Coastal Restoration and Management Jonathan Porthouse at 225-342-1453.