Speak up!

This month, coastal supporters (and critics) are asked to speak up on two important planning projects underway.

First, the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) recently released its draft Fiscal Year 2014 Annual Plan: Integrated Ecosystem Restoration and Hurricane Protection in Coastal Louisiana (whew!) or Annual Plan for short.  The Annual Plan is a yearly report which outlines the State’s progress in implementing its larger 50 year, $50 billion master plan, as well as provides a roadmap of priority projects and funding sources for the next three years.  ROR works daily with the CPRA and other stakeholders to ensure important projects in the Barataria and Terrebonne Basins, like Bayou Lafourche and the Lafourche shoreline, are a priority for implementation.  The Annual Plan comment period allows ROR and the public a formal opportunity to express our support and insistence for these and other important projects in our irreplaceable region.  The Annual Plan can be found on the ROR website at www.restoreorretreat.org or the State’s coastal website www.coastal.la.gov

Also, the “new” Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council is also seeking comments for their Path Forward to Restoration the Gulf Coast, a Proposed Comprehensive Plan. The Council was established by the RESTORE Act and has oversight on funding to restore the ecosystem and economy of the Gulf Coast region.  The Path Forward is an initial step in developing the more detailed Comprehensive Plan to be developed and overseen by the Council.  The Path Forward sets out an integrated approach to Gulf restoration, recognizing that ecosystem restoration is inextricably linked to economic growth and development. The Council is in an early stage of plan development and intends to release a draft plan for public comment in Spring 2013. The public engagement sessions held in February were part of the Council’s efforts to ensure robust public input throughout the entire process.  The Path Forward can be viewed on ROR’s website or  www.restorethegulf.gov  and comments can be sent to [email protected] .

Finally, on an organizational note, ROR’s website is new and improved, and contains relevant and important resources such as the State’s Annual Plan, 2012 Master Plan, and the Path Forward, as well as more news, resources, links, and project updates than ever before.  We hope you will check it out!  While you are at it, follow us on Twitter (@RestoreRetreat) and “friend” us on Facebook!