...Because they’re always turning around!
As festival season (or “spring” as they call it in the rest of the US) winds down, another hurricane season is creeping onto our doorstep. Scientists are predicting a more active season than usual. Are you prepared?
Much of what we’re doing at Restore the Mississippi River Delta (MRD) these days is in the spirit of hurricane preparedness. An open letter to the people of Louisiana published last week highlights the broad public support for science-based coastal restoration, which helps lessen the impact of hurricanes on our coast. Pontchartrain Conservancy is distributing emergency supplies at their annual Storm Aware and Prepare event. Closer to home, staff members are updating their evacuation contact info, restocking supply kits and making emergency preparedness plans.
Whether you plan to hit the road or batten down the hatches, stay safe out there!
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Morgan Randall
Outreach & Restoration Coordinator (ServeLA)
Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana
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More than 200 businesses, organizations, and individuals throughout Louisiana signed an open letter last week urging the state to maintain our successful coastal program. The letter highlighted recent, concerning shifts in the coastal program and changes to the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA), the state agency that develops our state's comprehensive, science-based Coastal Master Plan. You can read the full letter and see the signers’ names here. And check out the nola.com and Washington Post articles about the letter, which include responses and further context.
Inspired by the community leaders signing on? Want to make your voice heard in support of the coast? Add your name here.
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CPRA Community Conversations Recap
On May 7 in Violet, the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) and MRD hosted the spring’s final community conversation for the 2029 Coastal Master Plan. The meeting was the last of six held across the coast this spring to gather input from community members during the early stages of the Master Plan process. The Coastal Master Plan is updated every six years and uses the best available science to guide decision-making about restoration and protection investments on the coast.
Participants broke into discussion groups with CPRA and MRD staff, who then shared key takeaways with the rest of the attendees. These takeaways and community feedback will help to guide and shape the next Master Plan. CPRA will be back in early 2025 to work with communities through the next phase of the Master Plan development: project solicitation.
Michael Douglas, one of CRCL’s Future Coastal Leaders, delivered the share-out for his group and got a round of applause!
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Save the Date: Storm Aware & Prepare
Pontchartrain Conservancy is hosting the fifth annual Storm Aware and Prepare on June 1 at the New Canal Lighthouse. Come from 9 a.m. to noon for the hurricane preparedness resources; stay for the chance to win a portable generator. Meteorologist Scot Pilié will give a hurricane season forecast at 10 a.m.
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Supporter Spotlight: Mike Mariana
Meet Mike Mariana is a lifelong resident of Plaquemines Parish, a former President of the Belle Chasse Knights of Columbus, a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help church and a dedicated coastal advocate.
One of the earliest actions he took for the coast was to write to then-Governor Edwin Edwards asking him to act to save our quickly eroding land. Since then, he’s continued this work by running a nonprofit dedicated to planting native trees, writing letters to the editor, and speaking at public meetings in support of diversions. He has also penned a letter to Governor Landry regarding his concerns over possible changes to the state’s coastal restoration strategy which can be read here.
He had this to say on the importance of reconnecting the river to its wetlands:
“The wetlands have played a role in my life, and it troubles me to see it’s taken so long for us to finally pay attention to fixing the problem,” Mariana says. “It finally looks like we’re moving in the right direction. The Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion, I think is a godsend for us, and I hope we do a lot more. We have this Mississippi River here, it’s not the same river it was 100 years ago, but it still has tremendous potential to help rebuild our wetlands. I think God put us here for many different reasons, and I think one of them was to be good stewards of the earth.”
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AANHPI Heritage in Louisiana
May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, and Louisiana has a lot to celebrate. The state’s fishing industry owes a great debt to Asian Americans, whether it’s the commercial shrimp drying efforts of Chinese fishermen in the 1870s or the Vietnamese fishermen who worked in the field at the turn of the 21st century. This month and every month, we salute those who have added to the rich (and delicious) tapestry of coastal Louisiana.
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Recipe Spotlight: Chả Cá Lã Long
Celebrate AANHPI Heritage Month with this chả cá lã long recipe from Susan Spicer. Chả cá lã long, also known as chả cá thăng long, is a specialty from northern Vietnam prepared with dill. Perfect for the summer months, this light and satisfying dish celebrates the bounty of Louisiana’s coast. Click here for the full recipe in the Coastal Community Cookbook.
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