Congressmen Cedric Richmond, Steve Scalise, and Bill Cassidy spearheaded an effort to ensure critical funding for coastal restoration projects in Louisiana.
The amendment to the Energy and Water Appropriations Bill passed unanimously.
“ I am extremely proud that my colleagues in the House supported us today in the fight to restore Louisiana’s wetlands ,” Richmond said. “ The House of Representatives spoke in a rare, bipartisan fashion that the restoration of Louisiana’s coastline is a national priority. The $2 million in funding ensures that Louisiana will be able to move forward with critical restoration projects that will protect our citizens from hurricanes and flooding. ”
“ Jumpstarting the Louisiana Coastal Area plan is another vital piece in our efforts to restore our wetlands and enhance our hurricane protection, and I’m proud to lead this effort with my fellow Louisiana colleagues to ensure that coastal restoration remains a national priority,” Scalise said . “Louisiana is only as healthy as her vibrant coast, which is vital to flood protection, and to our Gulf ecosystems and communities. We must aggressively take action to reverse decades of coastal erosion before it’s too late, and this amendment moves the ball forward while keeping the spotlight on the national importance of Louisiana coast. ”
“ Louisiana loses 20 miles a year off our coast. We have lost a size of land equivalent to the entire state of Rhode Island after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita struck our coast in 2005. This deficit neutral amendment supports coastal restoration which maintains our energy infrastructure, helps protect homes and communities from flooding, and preserves our natural estuaries and wildlife ,” Cassidy said. “ Most importantly, it helps protect the livelihood of the many Americans who work to provide the energy and seafood for our nation’s consumption. ”
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Press Release, July 11, 2013