Posted on August 7, 2024
U.S. Rep. Garret Graves, who spent six years as Louisiana’s point man on coastal restoration, says he is worried that parts of Gov. Jeff Landry’s proposed restructuring of the agency in charge of it are rooted in politics instead of science.
“I’ve got major concerns,” Graves, R-Baton Rouge, told The Times-Picayune following a congressional field hearing on the energy sector and coastal restoration on Friday in Thibodaux. “I’m concerned that some of the changes are based upon politics rather than based upon merit and science.”
Soon after assuming office, Landry aimed to ease operations for the oil and gas industry. The governor issued an executive order to consider merging the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority with the Department of Energy and Natural Resources. The proposed change is part of a broader restructuring effort described as a way to streamline permitting and state government processes, but some coastal advocates worry that the move could jeopardize CPRA’s slate of coastal projects.
“It is absolutely under the governor’s purview to take a fresh look,” said Graves, who served as CPRA chair for six years and has helped shepherd federal funding for coastal projects in Congress.
U.S. Rep. Garret Graves, R-Baton Rouge, said on Tuesday, June 25, 2024 he would not run for any elective office in the near future. In this file photo Graves tours part of the Comite River Diversion Canal project where stone has been laid down along the canal on June 29, 2023 in Zachary.
But he stressed that the agency has a proven track record as “the best coastal resilience program in the nation” in terms of expertise, organizational structure and dependence on scientific research. The agency is responsible for overseeing billions of dollars in projects to address the state’s land loss crisis as well as hurricane protection.
“If we’re going to go to the federal government and ask them for billions and billions of dollars, we’ve got to have scientific integrity,” Graves said.
Landry’s office and the CPRA had not responded to requests for comment. Landry has defended his approach in the past, saying the state can both streamline processes for businesses while still protecting the coast. The CPRA has stressed it remains committed to its scientific planning process.
An executive order issued by Landry created a committee of DENR, CPRA and Office of Conservation leaders to review the potential changes. The commission has not yet released a recommendation on the plan.
While the major restructuring of CPRA remains on hold, a bill passed this year changed the makeup of the agency’s board, giving the governor greater appointment power. The law, which went into effect June 19, removed six designated members of the board – the leaders of various state agencies – and added three members appointed by the governor.
Louisiana’s scientific approach to addressing coastal issues has been a bright spot for the state. Its 50-year coastal master plan has drawn widespread praise for its sophisticated analysis of the many threats the state faces.
But financing the projects included in that plan will be a serious challenge in the years ahead. Much of the money that has been used to pay for coastal projects has come from fines and settlements related to the 2010 BP oil spill, and that cash will run out by 2032.
The state will have to find money to replace it, and coastal advocates warn that abandoning a scientific approach to the issue would put those efforts in danger.
