Spotlight
MRD Press Statement: Infrastructure Package Delivers Significant Wins for Louisiana’s Coast and Communities
“This legislation provides Louisiana with an opportunity to invest in its coast and in its future,” said Simone Maloz, campaign director for Restore the Mississippi River Delta. “This funding is critical for our state as we work together to rebuild from recent disasters and better protect communities in the future. But the funding is just the first step. Now we must continue important progress to direct these investments to proven, science-based restoration solutions included in Louisiana’s Coastal Master Plan. With increased investments in the best restoration and community resilience projects, Louisiana can secure a safer future for all communities.”
Earned Media
Meet Mitch Landrieu, Biden's $1.2T man
David Muth, Gulf restoration director with the National Wildlife Federation, said Landrieu understood the importance of green or natural infrastructure to protect New Orleans and the Gulf Coast and used his bully pulpit as mayor to connect the city’s well-being with coastal health. Muth noted he created a resilience office within the city of New Orleans and publicly supported projects that diverted the Mississippi River into nearby wetlands and marshes to thwart erosion.
"He understood New Orleans was a coastal city and that its fate was tied to coastal wetlands and their restoration," said Muth.
Biden signs infrastructure bill into law; taps New Orleanian Mitch Landrieu to lead its implementation
Includes MRD statement
New infrastructure package delivers significant wins for Louisiana’s coastal communities - Dredging Today
“Coastal restoration and other forms of natural infrastructure are some of the best solutions available to push back against more severe storms and rising sea levels,” said Cathleen Berthelot, senior policy manager of climate resilient coasts and watersheds at Environmental Defense Fund. “At a time when Louisiana is dealing with more FEMA disaster declarations than anywhere in the country, this infrastructure bill will bring sorely needed investments to better protect communities across our state from increasing climate impacts.”