La. gov’t capitalizing on greatest threat

Louisiana loses about one hundred yards of land every 100 minutes. But, it’s not the state that is losing. Private landowners and companies are the ones who have lost more than 2,000 square miles of coastal marsh over the past 100 years. That process is financially benefiting Louisiana under a law that grants state government the rights to oil and gas deep below navigable waters, including eroded coastlines that have been converted from land to water. The more land lost to erosion, the more open water the state can claim for mineral rights. The alarming rate of erosion means Louisiana’s government can capitalize on one of its greatest threats. The state is netting hundreds of millions of dollars in mineral royalty payments a year, records show. Critics argue Louisiana has avoided making a clear policy on who owns the mineral rights to coastal waters, leading to costly restoration project modifications and construction delays. It's also created headaches for fishers who don't know where they can legally drive a boat. (Source: NOLA.com 05/31/18)