Letter implores Obama to support coastal restoration along Gulf Coast region

Dear President Obama,

We, the undersigned, come together as a broad coalition of elected representatives, community leaders and stakeholders with a common vision for creating a sustainable and permanent Louisiana coast. We applaud your support for coastal restoration and protection.

As you … mark the fifth anniversary of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, we ask you to reaffirm your commitment to coastal restoration in Louisiana by explicitly offering your support for providing significant short- and long-term funding to restore Louisiana’s wetlands beyond restoration of the damage caused directly by the BP spill.

Coastal Louisiana has lost 34 square miles of wetlands annually for the past 50 years. Our coastal wetlands are crucial for our very survival, yet they continue to disappear at an unsustainable rate.

During your campaign and the 2009 Katrina anniversary address, you spoke to the need to “strengthen the wetlands and barrier islands that are the Gulf Coast’s first line of defense.” We are greatly appreciative of the commitment you have shown thus far.

This year, at the fifth anniversary of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, there is no better time to show your solidarity with the people of Louisiana than by expressing your full support for investing the fines collected from BP back into coastal restoration for Louisiana.

Carol Browner signaled your support for investing these fines into coastal restoration when she said that you “absolutely support the notion of returning it to the region.”

Mr. President, Louisiana’s wetlands are dying, leaving our citizens vulnerable to storm surge and jeopardizing the diverse ecosystem that provides for our abundant wildlife and fisheries. … We urge you to personally and publicly announce your support for investing the fines associated with this spill in rebuilding Louisiana’s coastal wetlands, as well as moving quickly with large-scale projects that would be credited toward the Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) process.

A sustained and long-term source of investment in restoring the wetlands is also necessary. The Deepwater Horizon oil spill has underscored the fact that coastal states assume the environmental risks of offshore energy production. However, in contrast to onshore states, coastal states receive only a tiny fraction of oil and gas revenues. We urge you to support putting in place a sustained dedicated source for reinvestment into these communities including immediate dedication of a share of federal OCS energy production revenue for coastal protection and restoration projects in impacted states.

Thank you again for the work you have done thus far and the effort your administration has made to restore the Gulf and prioritize coastal restoration. We stand jointly and individually ready to partner with you in support of this nationally-vital initiative and look forward to hearing you address these important issues during your visit to Louisiana.

Gov. Bobby Jindal

U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu

U.S. Sen. David Vitter

U.S. Rep. Rodney Alexander

U.S. Rep. Charlie Melancon

U.S. Rep. Charles Boustany

U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise

U.S. Rep. Bill Cassidy

U.S. Rep. Anh Cao

N.O. Mayor Mitch Landrieu

Marcia Aronoff,

Environmental Defense Fund

Mike Daulton,

National Audubon Society

Anne Milling,

Women of the Storm

Jim Lyon,

National Wildlife Federation

R. King Milling,

America’s Wetland Foundation

Editor’s Note: The Louisiana delegation and several environmental NGOs sent the following letter to President Barack Obama, thanking him for his past support and asking him to reaffirm his commitment to the Gulf Coast as he travels to Louisiana to mark the 5th anniversary of hurricanes Katrina and Rita.