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July 2012
The Conveyance Online
Restore or Retreat's E-newsletter
In This Issue
PELICAN Award Presented
Coastal Tour
In Other News
Restore or Retreat Executive Committee

 

Mike Plaisance, President

Plaisance Dragline and Dredging

 

Ted Falgout,VP

Ted M. Falgout and Associates

 

Robert Naquin, Treasurer

Capital One

 

Henri Boulet, Secretary

LA 1 Coalition

 

Tim Allen

Apache Louisiana Minerals

 

Charlotte Bollinger

Bollinger Shipyards

 

Berwick Duval

Duval, Funderburk, Sundbery, Lovell and Watkins

 

Dr. John J. Jones, Jr.

Jones Dermatology

RESTORE-ing Hope

An Op-Ed by Executive Director Simone Maloz

 

Just when the deadlock and partisanship in Congress seemed hopeless, the Louisiana Congressional delegation came through with a significant win for our coast, which will have a ripple effect in our community for decades to come. 

 

Through the tireless efforts of our delegation, especially Senator Landrieu and Congressman Scalise as lead authors, the coastal community, and many throughout the nation, the Gulf Coast states impacted by the 2010 oil spill were able to secure the dedication of 80 percent of the spill fines to help restore and invigorate our irreplaceable region via the "RESTORE Act," which was included in the final highway bill recently signed into law.

 

Under the Clean Water Act, the party responsible for a the spill can be fined from $1,000 to $4,300 per barrel leaked after the deadly explosion and sinking of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig, resulting in anywhere between $5 billion and $20 billion in fines.

 

Of those monies, nearly $3 billion will go into the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund, which is used for cleanup costs. Any additional money would have been deposited into the federal treasury without the Restore Act in place, where it could be spent anywhere in the US on projects and programs which have no benefit to the states impacted.  Instead, the Restore Act will channel the money to the Gulf Coast for coastal restoration and economic development projects.

 

Of those dedicated funds, 35 percent will be divided equally between Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida for restoration and economic projects. Another 60 percent will be dispersed by a newly created Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council, which will be made up of the federal chair of the Council on Environmental Quality, the secretary of the interior, the secretary of the Army, the secretary of commerce, Environmental Protection Agency administrator, the secretary of agriculture, the head of the Coast Guard, and governors from all five states. The final 5 percent goes to research on the Gulf fisheries.

 

The icing on the cake is Louisiana is fully prepared to handle any and all monies coming its way.  For several years, our state has been focused on making significant strides forward in its quest for comprehensive restoration and hurricane protection, and now federal government and nation now appear committed to making our coast whole with their funding commitment as well.  The 2012 update of the State's Master Plan approved by the Louisiana Legislature this spring, the dedication of oil spill fines to the Gulf Coast states through the RESTORE Act, and the $1 billion "down payment" for early restoration, all provide hope for our damaged and fragile communities, but much work remains.  We hope you will still join ROR is applauding our delegation for their great efforts and will continue to stand with us to "SUPPORT THE SOLUTION!"

Calendar

July 17

South Central Industrial Group with guest Reggie Dupre

Houma

 

July 18

Chamber Bayou Briefing with North and South Lafourche Levee Districts

Larose

 

July 18

CPRA

Larose

 

July 19

Rebuilding Our Economy, Restoring Our Environment

Thibodaux

 

July 19

State Oyster Advisory Committee

New Orleans

 

July 24-25

Preparing the Gulf Coast for Extreme Weather

New Orleans

 

August 1

Governor's Advisory Commission

Lake Charles

 

August 15

CPRA

Baton Rouge

 

August 22

Chamber Bayou Briefing with Bayou Lafourche Freshwater District

Raceland

 

August 24

Mississippi River Commission

Houma

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ROR Presents Senator Landrieu with PELICAN Award

As a life-long coastal advocate, Louisiana's Senior Senator was essential in the recent passage of the RESTORE Act. 

PELICAN Award
ROR Executive Committee member Charlotte Bollinger presents Senator Landrieu with ROR's PELICAN Award.

Restore or Retreat (ROR) recently presented Senator Mary Landrieu with its PELICAN Award for her years of hard work and dedication to restoring our coast and preserving our way of life in coastal Louisiana.  

 

The PELICAN Award is presented to coastal leaders who are "Passionate, Engaged, Leaders, Innovative, Champions, Advocates, and Never Quit."  Previous recipients include musician Tab Benoit and the Bayou Lafourche Fresh Water District.

 

"Louisiana has a tenacious, determined and passionate champion in Senator Landrieu," said Charlotte Bollinger, Restore or Retreat Executive Committee member, who presented Senator Landrieu with the award at the Bayou Industrial Group's monthly meeting in Thibodaux.  "With the community's support and with strong leadership from advocates like Senator Landrieu, we can continue preserve our coast, economic viability, and community for future generations."

 

Senator Landrieu has served our state for over 30 years, and is now is serving her 16th year in the Senate as Louisiana's Senior Senator.  Prior to the devastating hurricanes in 2005, Senator Landrieu was able to secure Louisiana a share of offshore revenues from oil and gas production, which was dedicated to protecting and conserving our coast, and played an integral role in passing legislation to create the Coastal Impact Assistance Program (CIAP,) one of the first significant funding streams urgently needed to fund critical coastal projects. 

 

In the hurricane's aftermath, Senator Landrieu also fought tirelessly to rebuild the region and was instrumental in educating her Congressional colleagues by hosting numerous tours for important decisions makers which provided invaluable education and support for rebuilding and protecting our irreplaceable region. 

 

In the last two years alone, Senator Landrieu was determined to garner a further share of offshore revenues for Louisiana and took the lead in securing critical, bipartisan legislation to dedicate 80 percent of oil spill fines and penalties to the Gulf Coast through the groundbreaking RESTORE Act, which will invest in the long-term well being of our coastal communities impacted by the 2010 oil spill.

 

ROR Joins Group in Tour of Coastal Projects

The group toured three current projects important to the restoration and protection of Lafourche Parish.

 

See the Fox 8 News Report and Courier Article.

Beneficial Use 3
Lafourche Parish President Charlotte Randolph discussed the beneficial use project with Dr. Denise Reed of the Water Institute of the Gulf.

The Greater Lafourche Port Commission, Lafourche Parish Government and Restore or Retreat teamed up at the end of last month to host a field trip of south Lafourche projects, including the West Belle Pass Project and the Caminada Headlands project.

 

The boat tour, also included showcasing a U.S. Army Corps' beneficial use project, which resulted in over 500,000 cubic yards of material beneficially placed on the west side of Bayou Lafourche. 

 

Construction is currently underway on the CWPPRA West Belle Pass project.  The goal of this $39 million project is reestablish the West Belle headland by rebuilding a large portion of the beach, dune, and back barrier marsh. The project will create 93 acres of beach and dune habitat and more than 200 acres of marsh habitat.  Construction is scheduled to be completed in December 2012.

 

The State-only funded project Caminada Headlands project will focus on restoring dune and beach features within the western portion of the Caminada Headlands, which extends from Belle Pass to Caminada Pass. The $70+ million project will begin construction in late summer/fall 2012.

 

"Now, more than ever, we need to see successful restoration projects under construction," said Chett Chiasson, Executive Director of the Greater Lafourche Port Commission, and event host. "With the community's support and with strong leadership, we can preserve our coast, economic viability, and community for future generations."

 

State Representative Jerry "Truck" Gisclair, Parish President Charlotte Randolph, Dr. Denise Reed, Chief Scientist and Charlotte Bollinger of the newly created Water Institute of the Gulf, joined Port Commissioner Harris "Chuckie" Cheramie, Port Fourchon Executive Director Chett Chiasson, Lafourche Coastal Zone Administrator Archie Chaisson III, and ROR Executive Director Simone Maloz who were also included in the group.

 

West Belle Pass
A work crew helps shape the West Belle Pass project.

For more pictures, click on ROR's Facebook page.

In Other News

 

U.S. Senator Landrieu targets offshore revenueLouisiana won't get as much in Gulf Spill Fines as Officials Hoped- Times-Picayune

 

RESTORE Act Passes Congress- Houma Courier

 

Donated Floodgate Could Help Terrebonne- Houma Courier

 

Zeringue offers BIG picture on coastal restoration- Tri-Parish Times

 

DNR staff presents expanded coastal plan to parish officials- Tri-Parish Times

 

State of the Coast conference gives reasons for optimism- WWL TV

Save the Date!!
ROR's best--
and only!--
fundraiser is set for Thursday,
October 18!
 
More info to follow!!
Thank you for your continuous support for our organization!
 
Sincerely,

Simone Maloz

Executive Director

Restore or Retreat, Inc.