Posted on June 23, 2025
BATON ROUGE, LA – The Louisiana Legislature has unanimously adopted the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority’s (CPRA) Fiscal Year 2026 Annual Plan, advancing a record-breaking $1.98 billion investment in coastal restoration and protection—the largest single-year investment in the program’s history.
The plan received unanimous support on both the Louisiana House and Senate floors, signaling strong, bipartisan support for protecting and restoring Louisiana’s coast.
“Protecting Louisiana’s coast is not just a priority—it’s a necessity,” said Gov. Jeff Landry. “The unanimous support this plan received from both the House and the Senate reflects a shared, bipartisan commitment to this cause. We are putting nearly $2 billion to work to safeguard our coastal communities, culture, and economy.”
The FY 2026 Annual Plan outlines a bold path forward, supporting 146 active projects and the operation, maintenance, and monitoring of 163 completed projects. These efforts span engineering, design, construction, marsh creation, barrier island restoration, and major flood risk reduction projects across the coast.
Among the plan’s highlights:
- 77 projects in construction
- 62 in engineering and design
- 21 dredging projects, pumping more than 71 million cubic yards of sediment to create or nourish nearly 16,000 acres of marsh
- Support for over 13,000 direct jobs and an estimated $773 million in labor income
- Launch of the Chandeleur Island Restoration Project, the largest barrier island restoration in state history
- Completion of the Lake Borgne Marsh Creation Project, the largest marsh creation effort in Louisiana—and one of the largest in the nation
“This plan is a big win for Louisiana,” said CPRA Chairman Gordon “Gordy” Dove. “It’s not just a bunch of projects on paper—it’s about protecting our homes, creating jobs, and making smart investments that will keep our coast strong for the future. We’ve come a long way, and this plan shows the progress we’ve made and the direction we’re headed. It’s about real impact for real people across coastal Louisiana.”
CPRA engaged stakeholders and the public throughout the plan’s development, hosting four public meetings across the coast and incorporating over 230 comments into the final plan. It passed the CPRA Board unanimously before moving to the Legislature for final adoption.
“The coastal program is one of Louisiana’s most successful, forward-thinking investments,” said bill author State Rep. Brett Geymann, Chair of the House Natural Resources and Environment Committee. “We’re not only protecting our coast—we’re protecting jobs, homes, and critical infrastructure for generations to come.”
“I’m proud to support this plan and the funding that comes with it,” added bill author Sen. Bob Hensgens, Chair of the Senate Natural Resources Committee. “CPRA continues to be a national model for how states can take charge of their own future through sound, science-based planning and bold action.”
Since 2007, CPRA’s efforts have resulted in:
- $21.6 billion secured in funding
- 67,200 acres of restored or protected land
- 383 miles of levees improved
- 71.6 miles of barrier islands restored
- 214 million cubic yards of sediment moved
“The FY 2026 Annual Plan builds on our success,” said CPRA Deputy Executive Director Clay Parker. “This is a generational investment in Louisiana’s future and a commitment to building a resilient coast for the people who call it home.”
Read Rep. Geymann’s House Resolution: HR36
Read Sen. Hensgens’s Senate Resolution: SR28
View the Fiscal Year 2026 Annual Plan
