Office of Coastal Management

GO AHEAD GIVEN TO STATE'S COASTAL CONSERVATION PLAN -- NO NET LOSS POLICY APPROVED

Louisiana's coastal conservation plan has just received acceptance from several federal agencies marking an important milestone in the battle of coastal land loss, according to Department of Natural Resources (DNR) officials. Governor Murphy J. "Mike" Foster and DNR's Assistant Secretary for the state's coastal program announced today that the Coastal Wetlands Conservation Plan has been approved by top officials of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The plan was produced through the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act, also known as the Breaux Act, with the goal of implementing a strategy to achieve no net loss in Louisiana's coastal zone through developmental activities.

     DNR's Office of Coastal Restoration and Management Assistant Secretary Katherine Vaughan praised each of the federal agencies for their contributions to development of the plan, demonstrating the effective working partnership between these federal agencies and the state. She also noted that because of the strength of the state's existing coastal management program, no new regulatory programs will be needed to meet the plan's objectives. "Since DNR already permits most development activities in the coastal area, and since, by law, we are already required to obtain mitigation for any impacts to vegetated wetlands, we are able to concentrate on developing nonregulatory educational, as well as incentive programs to offset any unpermitted wetland losses attributable to development. This gives us an excellent opportunity to be proactive and work with landowners, local governments and the public to protect and enhance our valuable and irreplaceable coastal resources," Vaughan stated.

     In sending his appreciation, Senator John Breaux said, "I'd like to congratulate the state for their hard work in securing this plan. This will allow Louisiana to continue the excellent work already being done to preserve our wetlands resources in the coastal region."

     Since Congress enacted the Breaux Act program in 1990, in excess of $30 million dollars of federal funds have been made available annually for Louisiana's coastal restoration efforts. DNR Secretary Jack Caldwell explained that through an incentive provision of the Breaux Act, approval of this plan will enable the state to reduce its cost share contribution for Breaux Act (also called CWPPRA) projects from 25% to 15% or 10%, depending upon the year in which the projects were authorized. He estimates that this will save the state in excess of $20 million dollars, which will be utilized to take advantage of other possible federal funding sources to match funds for coastal restoration projects and to construct new smaller scale restoration projects.

Editors: For more information on this topic, please contact Assistant Secretary Vaughan at (504) 342-1375 or the DNR Public Information Office at (504) 342-8955.