ROR Logo Small
The Conveyance Online 
ROR E-Update
June 2010

      Now More Than Ever:      Restore or Retreat 

 
Ground Zero in coastal land loss is now Ground Zero in an oil battle, and our fragile barrier islands and coastal wetlands may once again pay the price. As the eyes of a nation turn to our battered coastline and threatened fisheries and wildlife, local coastal advocacy group Restore or Retreat's mission is more important than ever: to protect this irreplaceable region for the long term sustainability of our coast, community and culture. 

Coastal Louisiana residents and stakeholders have long recognized the Barataria and Terrebonne basins are the two most rapidly eroding estuaries in the country and the world. In fact, while 80 percent of coastal wetland loss in the mainland U.S. occurs in Louisiana, 60 percent of that loss is right here, from the Mississippi River in the east to the Atchafalaya River in the west. Now, due to the oil spill, the nation also knows coastal Louisiana is responsible for 35 percent of national seafood production, 18 percent of domestically produced oil, and 24 percent of domestic natural gas. 

Knowing what's at risk and taking action long before others, ROR was created by residents and business owners in our area to advocate specifically for solutions to this ecological and economic crisis. What we did not fathom ten years ago, however, was that our irreplaceable

 region could be threatened by another economic and ecological crisis jeopardizing our coast, community and culture. This oil spill reminds us more than ever why sustaining the Barataria and Terrebonne basins for the long term is so critical.

Prior to the Deepwater Horizon tragedy, Louisiana was making significant strides forward in its quest for comprehensive restoration and protection.  The creation of the White House-endorsed Louisiana Mississippi Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Working Group, the evolvement of the State's 2012 Master Plan Update, and the development of six important coastal studies by the Corps and State as part of the Louisiana Coastal Area Study were all hopeful signs for our fragile communities. However, we have always been lacking one very critical component in our battle to sustain our coast - the public support of our Commander in Chief - until now.        

In his nationally televised address on June 15, President Obama mentioned a new federal effort to develop "a long-term plan to restore the unique beauty and bounty of this region."  ROR applauds the President for noting that the needs of our coastal area go beyond oil spill containment and cleanup and that large-scale restoration is vital to our sustainability. We urge him, however, to recognize now is the time for action, not studies.  Louisiana's Master Plan for Coastal Protection and Restoration is our "coastal roadmap," identifying projects that will provide hurricane protection and restoration benefits to the one million Louisianans who live in the Coastal Zone. We strongly encourage the Administration to use this Master Plan as a working guide to get real action moving on the ground, and we ask Congress to provide the funds to make this plan a reality.

Even though it is tough to remember in times like these, there will be an end to this crisis. We just hope our communities can survive that long. When the oil finally stops flowing and all that can be cleaned up has been dealt with, the ongoing crisis on our coast will still remain. Large-scale restoration was our focus before the Deepwater Horizon explosion, the

loss of 11 lives, and the latest massive insult to our ecosystem. It must remain our focus. Restoring this great ecosystem and the communities that have been stewards of it for generations will take resources, commitment and courage. The commitment of Restore or Retreat on behalf of our communities has been and will be there for the long haul.
 
Click here for a link to the article in the Courier.
Quick Links
 Support the Solution in 2010!

Contributions to ROR are tax-deductible, and there are many ways to contribute to ROR and support effective coastal restoration efforts in the Barataria and Terrebonne Basins:

  • Annual Individual or Corporate Membership
  • Shares of Stock
  • Memorial/tribute donation
  • Planned Giving
  • Corporate Donations on behalf of employees or clients
  • Gift membership
  • In-kind donation of services or products
  • Sponsorship of ROR events

I would like to give now!

Mission Statement

Restore or Retreat is a non-profit coastal advocacy group created by coastal residents and stakeholders who recognize that the Barataria and Terrebonne Basins are the two most rapidly eroding estuaries, which represents an economic and ecological travesty.

Restore or Retreat seeks to identify and expedite the implementation of aggressive, large-scale restoration projects to protect this irreplaceable region. 
Executive Committee
Mike Plaisance,
President,
Plaisance Dragline and Dredging
 
Ted Falgout,
 Vice President
Ted M. Falgout and Associates
 
Henri Boulet,
Secretary.
LA 1 Coalition
 
Robert Naquin,
Treasurer  
Capital One Bank
 
Tim Allen,
Apache Louisiana Minerals
 
Charlotte Bollinger,
Bollinger Shipyards
 
C. Berwick Duval, II,
Duval, Funderburk, Sundbery, Lovell and Watkins
 
 Dr. John Jones, Jr.,
Jones Mora Dermatology
 
Loulan Pitre, Jr, Counsel

Simone Maloz, Executive Director