Protecting Louisiana's coasts

Abstract

With numerous wetlands restoration and protection projects slated for Louisiana, a well‐developed implementation strategy that can address a number of uncertainties is important for the success of these projects, according to a 14 December report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO). GAO specifically urged maintaining the collaborative process that is used by Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act (CWPPRA) program agencies, with scientists, engineers, and others working together to plan and design restoration projects. The report also noted the need to address such other issues as having an integrated monitoring system to determine whether goals and objectives are met as well as to understand that projects can encounter significant setbacks due to storms and hurricanes, landscape and structural causes, and spiraling project costs. Louisiana state officials anticipate the state could receive about $8.5 billion over the next 10 years for coastal restoration and protection.