Louisiana Governor Jindal Signs Executive Order to Maximize Efficiency of State Coastal Restoration

Jan 23, 2008 -- BATON ROUGE – Today, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal signed an executive order to maximize the efficiency of Louisiana’s coastal restoration and hurricane protection efforts by requiring all state agencies to comply with the Comprehensive Master Plan for a Sustainable Coast which lays out coastal and hurricane protection priorities as recognized by the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, including the Department of Transportation and Development, the Department of Natural Resources, and the Governor’s Office of Coastal Affairs.

The executive order the Governor signed today requires agencies to adhere to the projects and priorities enumerated in the Master Plan which was previously authorized by the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority.

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Governor Bobby Jindal said, “We will work together with our federal partners over the coming years to commit billions of dollars toward hurricane protection and coastal restoration efforts in Louisiana. This executive order sets a clear path toward this future to ensure consistency in our work and the sustainability of our coastal zone by requiring all state agencies and their subdivisions to comply with Louisiana’s Comprehensive Master Plan for a Sustainable Coast.”

ACTIVITY AND PERMIT CONSISTENCY WITH LOUISIANA’S COMPREHENSIVE MASTER PLAN FOR A SUSTAINABLE COAST – Executive Order “Highlights”

WHEREAS, Louisiana’s coastal master plan, entitled “Integrated Ecosystem Restoration and Hurricane Protection: Louisiana’s Comprehensive Master Plan for a Sustainable Coast”, (hereinafter “Master Plan”), is the state’s conceptual plan for the integration of coastal protection and restoration based upon the best available science and engineering;

WHEREAS, the Master Plan was approved by the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority at its April 12, 2007 meeting and thereafter unanimously approved by the Louisiana Legislature by passing Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 11 during the 2007 Regular Session;

WHEREAS, the Master Plan states a goal of integration of flood control projects and coastal restoration initiatives to help both human and natural communities survive and thrive over the long-term;

WHEREAS, the Master Plan recommends, among other things, improvements to land use planning, zoning and permitting to more effectively achieve its stated goals;

WHEREAS, beginning this year, billions of dollars in efforts to repair and improve Louisiana’s hurricane and coastal protection systems will be carried out;

WHEREAS, state agencies must function in a manner that recognizes the vital importance of expediting hurricane and coastal protection and ensuring sustainable practices in our coastal zone;

WHEREAS, it is critical for all state agencies to work in a cooperative manner with acute awareness of the recommendations of the Master Plan in order to ensure the aggressive and orderly implementation of its stated goals.

WHEREAS, Louisiana Revised Statute 49:213 directs the Governor, through his executive assistant for coastal activities, to “coordinate and focus the functions of all state agencies as they relate to coastal protection, including hurricane protection and wetlands conservation and restoration”; and

WHEREAS, Louisiana Revised Statute 49:213 authorizes the Governor, through his executive assistant for coastal activities, to “review and modify proposed coastal use permits prior to issuance to the extent that such permits would authorize activities which significantly affect hurricane protection or wetlands conservation and restoration projects or which significantly diminish the benefits of projects intended to protect, conserve or enhance coastal areas and to require the issuance of permits for public or private wetlands enhancement projects or plans.”;

NOW THEREFORE, I, Bobby Jindal, Governor of the state of Louisiana, by virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution and the laws of the state of Louisiana, do hereby order and direct as follows:

SECTION 1: All state agencies shall administer their regulatory practices, programs, contracts, grants, and all other functions vested in them in a manner consistent with the Master Plan and public interest to the maximum extent possible.

SECTION 2: This Order is effective upon signature and shall remain in effect until amended, modified, terminated, or rescinded by the governor, or terminated by operation of law.

Source: Louisiana Governor