Dear John,
I’m writing today to share good news regarding public opinion around Louisiana’s cornerstone restoration project, the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion (MBSD), and to express our grave concern over the Landry Administration’s steps to cancel the project.
Two new state-wide surveys recently released show that an overwhelming 82% of Louisiana voters support sediment diversions as a means of coastal restoration, and 93% approve of the state having a comprehensive plan to deal with land loss using the latest science – like Louisiana’s Coastal Master Plan. The polls also show that coastal Louisiana’s ability to withstand hurricane storm surge and sea level rise drives 81% of voters’ support for sediment diversions. You can read more about the key findings of the poll and the methodology here.
However, this news was released on the heels of an announcement from the Landry Administration and CPRA leadership to cancel the project. The recent declaration of the 90-day “temporary” stop work order led essentially to the demobilization of all critical construction equipment from the project site in Plaquemines Parish. In doing so, the administration has wasted hundreds of millions of dollars, denied thousands of jobs, and delayed meaningful restoration and reconnection to the Mississippi River for years.
There is simply no alternative for MBSD in terms of benefits to Louisiana’s coast or cost-effectiveness in its land-building and storm protection capabilities. It is Louisiana’s most critical restoration project, using the power of the Mississippi River itself to reestablish Louisiana’s natural land-building processes. Canceling the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion, as originally permitted and funded, is a massive mistake for the people, wildlife and industries of Louisiana. Here’s why:
Canceling MBSD opposes science.
Canceling the project marks a significant departure from a science-based planning process shaped by extensive stakeholder input. The project was included in the 2007, 2012, 2017 and 2023 Coastal Master Plans.
Canceling MBSD risks Louisiana’s reputation.
Walking away from this project sends the message to funders and investors that the state cannot be trusted, and breaking a contract on a $2B infrastructure project is terrible for Louisiana’s business climate and the reputation of the CPRA, in particular.
Louisiana has no time to lose.
Failing to build MBSD will leave Louisiana residents and businesses even more vulnerable to future storms and flooding.
MBSD is the linchpin for the protection of the Barataria Basin, as it provides a sustainable source of fresh water and sediment that can both push back against rising sea levels and provide nourishment and sediment to support other land-building projects. Without the diversion, those projects can’t last. The viability of every other project in Barataria Basin has been modeled based on the diversion’s presence, benefits, and impacts.
Canceling MBSD is bad politics.
Over 90% of Louisianians believe in a science-based plan; cancelling the project will make preserving broad-based public support behind the plans or projects more difficult and make legislative approval more challenging.
Politicizing the coastal program confirms the worry people have traditionally had about Louisiana, that politicians will inevitably bend the use of resources to their will. This will lead to less effective outcomes and break decades of bipartisan support within the state.
Not completing MBSD is bad for Louisiana’s budget.
Although the project has been fully funded from oil spill funds, State taxpayers could have to repay around $500+ million already spent on the project as well as contend with the outstanding threat of litigation from the broken contract–liabilities that oil spill funding can’t cover.
Our coalition remains committed to working with the administration to find a way back to building this critical project as designed, permitted, and funded. Significantly scaling back the project or walking away altogether will be disastrous for all involved.
We ask you to join us in urging the Landry Administration to move forward with constructing this critical project. You can also pledge your support for the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion here. |
