The Conveyance: ROR's E-newsletter
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CPRA 2017 draft Master Plan
Comment Period Closes March 26
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It's not too late-- there are many different ways you can submit your comments on the draft plan.
March 26 is the deadline to comment on Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority's 2017 draft Master Plan! You can find the draft plan online at coastal.la.gov, along with with technical appendices, resources like Flood Risk and Resiliency Viewer, and even the Executive Summary in FOUR different languages thanks to Greater New Orleans Foundation.
Ways to Provide Feedback
- Email the master plan team at masterplan@la.gov; or email chuck.perrodin@la.gov with comments pertaining to the annual plan.
- Use CPRA's new Citizen Reach platform to submit comments through their website!
- If you prefer mail, please send written comments to: Coastal Protection & Restoration Authority, c/o Chuck Perrodin, P.O. Box 44027, Baton Rouge, LA 70804-4027; letters must be mailed to arrive no later than March 26, 2017.
Public Meeting on Draft Master Held in Houma in January
Houma, La-- Bayou region residents turned out in droves to hear the latest information and plans from the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority contained in both the draft Master Plan and fiscal year Annual spending Plan.
State Senator Norby Chabert and Terrebonne Parish President Gordon Dove addressed the crowd prior to a presentation delivered by CPRA Planning Chief Bren Haase. (Click here for a similar presentation on the Master Plan and here for the Annual Plan presentation.)
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Residents packed the Houma Civic Center for the January public hearing on the Master Plan. Photo courtesy of Rep. Tanner Magee.
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Approximately 30 residents provided public comments, including Restore or Retreat, South Central Industrial Association, Chamber of Lafourche, Houma Terrebonne Chamber, Lafourche Tourism Commission, and other regional stakeholders groups. Click here for ROR's own talking points on the plan.
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Governor Announces LA SAFE Adaptation Program
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As part of the 2016 National Disaster Resilience Competition, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded Louisiana's Office of Community Development $92 million to implement two coastal resilience-building projects, including LA SAFE.
Earlier this month, Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards announced the kick off of LA SAFE-- a citizen-led planning effort to provide residents of six coastal parishes, including Lafourche and Terrebonne-- with the opportunity to actively shape the future of their communities so they are stronger and safer, even as Louisiana's coastline is dramatically changing.
The planning process is a key component of LA SAFE - Louisiana's Strategic Adaptations for Future Environments - a community-focused resilience and adaptation policy framework complementing the state's Coastal Master Plan. The planning process will focus on developing a common vision with coastal residents to guide future development, relative to projected flood risk, in coming decades.
The planning process will involve public meetings focused on citizen input, as well as extensive outreach to residents of Jefferson, Lafourche, Plaquemines, St. John the Baptist, St. Tammany and Terrebonne parishes. In total, the six parishes account for nearly 21 percent of Louisiana's population - more than 965,000 residents.
The LA SAFE planning process is coordinated by OCD, in partnership with Foundation for Louisiana and the elected leadership of the six parishes. Detailed information about LA SAFE meeting times, dates and locations is available
on the LA SAFE website, and below in our Coastal Calendar.
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Meet ROR's new Special Projects Coordinator
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Due to her previous employment and agriculturally-rooted, coastal upbringing, Sagrera has developed a strong sense of devotion for coastal advocacy and community resilience.
Restore or Retreat is pleased to announce the addition of Victoria Sagrera of Abbeville, La. as Special Projects Coordinator for the regional coastal advocacy group.
Sagrera, a graduate of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, has worked in different realms of the coastal industry for the last six years.
While attending UL of Lafayette, Sagrera worked as a Helicopter Underwater Egress Training (HUET) Rescue Scuba Diver at Marine Survival Training Center and Assistant Associate at Gulf Coast Agricultural Associates, both in Lafayette, La. Additionally, Sagrera served as President, Vice-President, and Treasurer of the UL at Lafayette's Biology Society. After receiving a bachelor's degree concentrated in natural sciences, Sagrera worked as the Public Outreach Intern for Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection, and Restoration Act (CWPPRA).
An active member of the community with a passion for volunteering, Sagrera is also a member of the Junior Auxiliary of Abbeville and board member of the Louisiana Cattle Festival. Furthermore, Sagrera represented the Louisiana Cattle Festival as their 65th Queen and was selected by the Louisiana Association of Fairs and Festivals as their 2014 Queen. Most recently, Sagrera was named the Louisiana Cattle Festival's Ambassador of the year and Top 15 at Miss Louisiana USA.
Due to her previous employment and agriculturally-rooted, coastal upbringing, Sagrera has developed a strong sense of devotion for coastal advocacy and community resilience. These combined experiences has strengthened her deep appreciation and connection to improving the quality of our coast.
Check out more of her personal story on the ROR website in her first blog, and please join us in welcoming Victoria!
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From NOLA.com: The bottom line for America: there is no greater return on investment than helping to save coastal Louisiana.
From the New Orleans Advocate:
Our Views: Without unity and resolve on coastal restoration, Louisiana will -- literally -- be sunk
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Public Comment Period Ends
March 26, 2017
LA SAFE Parish-wide Meeting: Plaquemines
Monday 3/27, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Port Sulphur YMCA
LA SAFE Parish-wide Meeting: Terrebonne
Tuesday 3/28, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center
Governor's Advisory Commission Meeting
Wed, Mar 29, 2017 -- 9:30 a.m.
Tulane River and Coastal Center, NOLA
Coastal Connections
Thu, Mar 30, 2017 -- 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Plaquemines Parish Govt Building, Belle Chasse
LA SAFE Parish-wide Meeting: Jefferson
Wednesday 3/29, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
The Alario Center
, Westwego
Check this out!!
What happens when a Theriot and an Hebert walk into a radio station? You're about to find out!
Restore or Retreat Executive Director Simone Theriot Maloz and Audubon's Jacques Hebert have teamed up to co-host a weekly radio show, "Delta Dispatches," to discuss Louisiana's coast, its people, wildlife and jobs, and why restoring it matters. We have already covered our own work, the State's Master Plan, and Diversions, with more to come.
Check out
past episodes here, and be sure to subscribe to our podcasts on Google Play and iTunes!
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Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to an exciting 2017 with you!
Sincerely,
Restore or Retreat
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