Letter Urges Governor to Resume Construction and Maintain a Science-based Approach to Restoration
NEW ORLEANS – Over fifty business and civic leaders from across south Louisiana sent a letter to Governor Jeff Landry urging him to resume construction of the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion at the size and scale that it was designed and permitted. The letter also expresses concerns about the urgent need to restore the Barataria Basin to address the long-term sustainability and insurability in southeast Louisiana.
“These business and civic leaders are part of the backbone of Louisiana—people who live, work, and invest in this region every day,” said Simone Maloz, campaign director for Restore the Mississippi River Delta. “They understand what’s at stake, and they’re raising their voices because delaying or downsizing the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion threatens not just our coast, but our economy, our safety, and our credibility as a state. Louisiana has a chance to lead with foresight and urgency by moving this project forward at the scale our coastal crisis demands.”
“As a Plaquemines Parish business owner, I felt the need to join this group of leaders in speaking out and urging Governor Landry to resume construction of the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion,” said Foster Creppel, a letter signer and the innkeeper of Woodland Plantation in West Point a la Hache. “Our wetlands are disappearing at an alarming rate, and we must urgently reconnect the Mississippi River to the Barataria Basin if we want to have any hope of living here in the future. We must also engage with oyster fishermen to rebuild oyster reefs which are critical to the survival of Plaquemines Parish, the Barataria Basin and our coast.”
“Coastal restoration has been a top priority of a coalition of civic, business and elected leaders for the past twenty years,” said Anne Milling, a letter signer and the founder of Women of the Storm. “Louisiana has wisely used its GOMESA funding and dollars awarded from the BP Oil Spill Trust to implement its Coastal Master Plan. With the cancellation of the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion, the cornerstone of coastal restoration, Governor Landry has not only wasted more than $500 million expended on this project, but puts in question Louisiana’s credibility and reputation as a serious player of coastal restoration and protection. We urge the Governor to put this critical project back on track. His legacy will be enhanced by doing what is right for the people of Louisiana.”
Recent independent polling found widespread bipartisan support for reconnecting the Mississippi River to its wetlands through sediment diversion projects, including the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion. A strong 82% percent of informed Louisiana voters support using sediment diversions to build new and sustain existing wetlands in Louisiana, a figure up from 80% in 2023. Additionally, 83% of Louisianians specifically support completing the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion project when given background on its benefits.
Read a full copy of the letter HERE.
About Restore the Mississippi River Delta:
Restore the Mississippi River Delta is working to protect people, wildlife and jobs by reconnecting the river with its wetlands. As our region faces the crisis of land loss, we offer science-based solutions through a comprehensive approach to restoration. Composed of conservation, policy, science, outreach and communications experts from Environmental Defense Fund, National Audubon Society, the National Wildlife Federation and Pontchartrain Conservancy, we are located in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Washington, D.C.; and around the United States. Learn more at MississippiRiverDelta.org and connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.