We're about a month into the new year, and between the wild swings in the weather, the intensity of the news cycle, and prepping my costumes for a shorter carnival season, I'm already feeling like time is flying by.
As usual, there's a lot happening in the coastal world, too – at MRD we've been busy diving deep into CPRA's draft FY27 Annual Plan and planning my favorite event of the year, Cook-Off for the Coast (more on both of those below).
I hope y’all are finding time in all the busyness of the new year to rest and be with the people you love, and that we’ll see you out there soon having fun and supporting our coast!
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Jordan Phillips
Outreach Coordinator
Restore the Mississippi River Delta |
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Maurepas Swamp. Photo by Sydney Walsh.
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Make Your Voice Heard! AP27 Comments due February 17th
Now that in-person hearings for the Annual Plan have wrapped up, it’s time to get started on your written comments! These are due February 17th (also known as Fat Tuesday).
In our analysis of the Annual Plan each year, we watch carefully for a balance between restoration and protection, progress on our priority projects, and responsible use of funding to get the most benefit. This year, for the first time in more than a decade, the yearly funding plan does not contain any large-scale river reconnection projects. These types of projects are the best, most effective long-term solution to build and maintain land. And questions still remain around the remaining Deepwater Horizon oil spill dollars that would have been spent on the now-cancelled Mid-Barataria and Mid-Breton Sediment Diversions.
However, there's a lot to feel encouraged about in this plan as well. Progress has been made and funding prioritized for several critical projects we support, including long-overdue progress in the MRGO ecosystem restoration area, the Calcasieu-Sabine Marsh Creation Project, and the River Reintroduction into Maurepas Swamp. It's important to celebrate wins while still holding the state to its own science-based master plan.
Ways to submit a comment:
1) Email: [email protected] (Subject line: FY 27 Annual Plan Comment)
2) CPRA’s online portal: ap27.coastal.la.gov
3) By mail:
Annual Plan Comment
150 Terrace Avenue
Baton Rouge, LA 70802 |
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Cook-Off for the Coast: February 28th
Cook-Off for the Coast is right around the corner! Come spend the day with us at Docville Farm on February 28th and enjoy live music, great food, and a celebration of coastal Louisiana’s vibrant culture. It's a great reminder each year of why we do the work we do: to keep communities safe and thriving and to protect the places we live, work, and play for generations to come.
Feeling inspired? Show off your creativity by entering the Hope for the Coast art contest! Submissions are due February 15th. Enter by filling out this form. Review contest guidelines and see previous winners at coastcookoff.com/art.
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Featured Event: Science Time! At Siberia
The MRD team had so much fun last month seeing our colleague Alisha Renfro and our frequent collaborator Alex Kolker share their work on Neptune Pass for a packed house, and this Thursday Science Time! at Siberia is back with more coastal topics.
If you’re in New Orleans, go grab a drink and learn about risk and resilience on Louisiana’s barrier islands. And if you can't make this one, these events happen monthly, so stay tuned for the next opportunity to nerd out. |
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On the Road with MRD
- 1/29 - Weekly Bucktown bird walks! Every Thursday from 4-5pm (New Orleans)
- 2/25 - CPRA Board Meeting (location TBA)
- 2/28 - Cook-Off for the Coast (Violet)
- 3/18 - CPRA Board Meeting (Baton Rouge)
- 3/28 - City Park Bass Rodeo & FishTival (New Orleans)
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