TFAE LOOKING AT LARGER GRANTS
December 6, 2017
TALK ON THE STREET
December 6, 2017
Louisiana’s two senators and a local congressman accompanied the U.S. Secretary of the Interior on a day-long tour meant to impress on him the importance of coastal recreation projects for the state as well as the nation.
Sens. Bill Cassidy R, John Kennedy R and Rep. Garret Graves R-Baton Rouge, showed various examples of Louisiana resources to Sec. Ryan Zinke in the communities of Thibodaux Baton Rouge and Ama.
“(These) meetings with Secretary Zinke were very productive with a lot of emphasis on coastal restoration,” said Cassidy. “The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act includes nearly $100 million for continuing coastal restoration. Secretary Zinke is very aware of the need to work as a team, speed up permitting and shorten the process by which restoration projects can be completed.”
Briefings with local leaders and an airboat observation of the Davis Pond Freshwater Diversion focused on Louisiana’s land loss crisis and the state’s Coastal Master Plan to address it, the federal government’s role in the effort, and the national economic importance of coastal restoration and protection as a vital part of U.S. energy dominance. The Water Institute of the Gulf, the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, the Greater Lafourche Port Commission, local government officials, environmental organizations and members of the Louisiana business community joined in the discussions between the representatives and the secretary.
Cassidy invited Zinke in June “to visit Louisiana to view the coast, learn how Louisiana uses offshore leasing revenues for coastal restoration projects, and how cuts to those revenues would impact vulnerable regions as well as America’s energy supply chain.”
In his letter of invitation, Cassidy cited Louisiana’s unique and vital natural resources as well as its importance to the nation as an energy hub.
Local lawmakers visited Thibodaux, Baton Rouge and Ama for a day of studying coastal erosion.
