Plan: $561M for coastal restoration

The state of Louisiana expects to spend $561.8M on coastal restoration and hurricane protection projects in FY 2019, which begins in July. The majority is to go to restoration projects funded by 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill settlements, the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority was told Dec. 13. The total is less than the state budgeted for this year. Louisiana expects to have 23 projects under construction during FY-19, according to the proposed annual plan given initial approval by the CPRA. A copy of the plan is available on the CPRA web site. A public hearing will be held in Belle Chasse on Jan. 8; Houma on Jan. 9; and Lake Charles on Jan. 10. Public comments will be accepted through Feb. 12. A final version of the plan will be considered by CPRA at a Feb. 21 meeting. The CPRA-approved version will be presented to the Legislature for an up-or-down vote March 14. (Source: NOLA.com 12/14/17)