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TWO RECENT REPORTS HELP EXPLAIN COASTAL ACTIVITIES IN STATE

The Louisiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has released two reports this month from its Office of Coastal Restoration and Management. Both hardback reports have been distributed by mail to key government officials and others involved in coastal protection and restoration work in the state.

“Working to save coastal Louisiana” has been a battle cry for those tasked with the responsibility of directing Breaux Act projects since 1990. The phrase is an underlying message in each report. According to DNR Deputy Secretary Randy Hanchey, “close to 400 projects already developed and built over this span of time tell us a great deal about an important part of our past, present and future history.”

He said that since the 1930’s Louisiana has lost over 1,900 square miles of land and we are entrenched now in this struggle to protect and recover this valuable and productive land.

• The Coastal Restoration Annual Project Reviews (4.39 MB PDF ) report gives an overview and status of coastal projects.
• Breaking New Ground in Louisiana (2003) (2.04 MB PDF ) is an evaluation report sent to all members of the United States Congress as required by law under the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act (Breaux Act). This report is required every three years and is produced in collaboration with the Governor’s Office and all designated CWPPRA agencies to document the effectiveness of the state’s coastal wetland projects.

Breaux Act member agencies include the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Department of Interior, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Governor of Louisiana.

DNR’s Coastal Restoration Technology section is responsible for preparation and distribution of the reports. Project managers have also made the reports available online at www.dnr.state.la.us in downloadable format. For inquires and copies, please contact 225-342-4123 (Annual Report) or225-342-9429 (Congressional Report).