Now is not the time for complacency

Environmental expert named senior planner
January 16, 2012
Richard N. Bollinger
January 19, 2012
Environmental expert named senior planner
January 16, 2012
Richard N. Bollinger
January 19, 2012

Dear Editor,


The State’s 2012 update to the Coastal Plan was released on January 12, 2012. With so many plans and public meetings held in our area over the past decade, I wanted to take the time to stress how important it is for our region to not fall victim to “plan fatigue,” especially knowing how much this particular plan will shape the future of Terrebonne and Lafourche for the next five, very formative years.

After Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the Louisiana Legislature mandated our state respond to the crisis by taking the lead in a new way. As our region’s State Senator at the time, I was the lead author of Act 8, which created Louisiana’s Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) and required this new entity to develop a plan for protecting and restoring the coast. Following the devastation, it was clear our state must find a balance between protection and restoration, and this was a significant first step.


The 2007 State Master Plan further emphasized the need for the sense of balance between coastal restoration and protection. It also underscored the need for more balance between structural and non-structural components of protection. As a result of the CPRA leadership under Garret Graves and Jerome Zeringue, I personally consider the creation of the CPRA and this coastal protection planning process one of my crown jewels of my service in the state Legislature.


A tough reality faces us, especially here in the Bayou Region— not everyone can be equally protected behind a levee system. However, there are preventative measures, such as elevating homes, which can still provide some degree of protection for those who live in greater risk.

The timing could not be better for the release and acceptance of this plan. This plan will lead us to 2017, which is when the State could potentially start receiving millions in Louisiana’s share of the offshore royalty revenues.


The State will also be reviewing the 2013 Annual Plan at the meeting, which is the State’s “to do” list for the immediate three years—there will be several significant projects for Terrebonne and Lafourche included in those plans that will begin soon, including the State’s $70 million-plus Caminada Headlands project along the Lafourche shoreline protecting Port Fourchon, and Terrebonne Parish’s investigation into a long distance pipeline to deliver sediment into the parish from the Atchafalaya. The levee district’s own Bubba Dove floodgate/barge structure in the Houma Navigational Canal will be completed and installed by the summer of 2013. With the help of our state partners in implementing the current master plan, since 2008 the Terrebonne Levee District has either completed, has under construction, or has plans and dedicated funding for approximately $220 million of flood protection improvements along the Morganza to the Gulf Hurricane Protection Alignment.

Finally, we are still committed to supporting our Congressional delegation in their diligent effort to pass Federal legislation to commit 80 percent of the 2010 oil spill fines to the Gulf states impacted, which could potentially bring hundreds of millions to restore our irreplaceable region.

The 2012 Master Plan is available for review at www.coastalmasterplan.la.gov. There will be a regional public meeting held on January 24 at the Houma Civic Center. The open house, where you can directly ask questions to State officials who crafted the plan, will be held from 1:00pm-5:30pm. The formal public hearing will start at 5:30pm. Attending this meeting is important so our area can show the State we are committed to supporting a solution for our area. It is equally as important we take our time to review the plan thoroughly and develop feedback in the form of comments to the State. The comment period does not end until February 25, so there is no pressure to comment on the plan immediately, before taking the proper time to review, ask questions, and discuss with your family and in the community.

Please become involved in this dynamic planning process; in our ever-changing world, one thing is certain—if we don’t act now, we will lose our beloved home. My number one goal for all my years in public service, both past and present, is the sustainability and survivability of our homeland. The chances of future generations continuing to live here in our region of south Louisiana will require a strong voice from all of us.

Reggie P. Dupre, Jr.

Executive Director

Terrebonne Levee and Conservation District