Louisiana governor challenges costly coastal restoration plan
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry questioned the feasibility of a $3 billion coastal restoration project, citing its escalating costs and potential harm to fishing industries vital to the region’s culture.
Kevin McGill reports for The Associated Press.
In short:
- The Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion project aims to rebuild Louisiana’s eroding coastline by channeling sediment from the Mississippi River into the Barataria Basin to create 20-40 square miles of new land over 50 years.
- Gov. Landry expressed concerns about its cost, projected cultural impact on fishing communities and potential taxpayer burden during Senate committee testimony.
- Environmental advocates argue the project is essential to restoring wetlands, which provide natural storm protection and critical habitats for marine life.
Key quote:
“As we continue to lose wetlands to open water, that’s just less and less breeding grounds, less and less protection for all of our juvenile shrimp, crab, finfish, you name it.”
— Corey Miller, community engagement director with the nonprofit Pontchartrain Conservancy
Why this matters:
Louisiana’s coastline is vanishing due to subsidence, sea-level rise and human activity. Wetlands are critical for storm protection and biodiversity, but delays and rising costs threaten this large-scale restoration effort, leaving vulnerable communities at risk.
