How many times over the years have we all wrung our hands and asked when somebody would come up with a science-based master plan to shore up our state's disappearing coastline, build back our depleted marshes and protect our urban centers from Gulf storms?
The answer is more times than we can count. Well, just the thing we've asked for is staring us in the face. But like the dog who chased the speeding fire engine and finally got his jaws around its bumper, the question is, "what are we going to do with it now?"
The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority has presented us with a bold plan which would take half a century and cost 50-billion dollars to enact. Southwest Louisiana would be the second-largest recipient of that spending, at nearly 11-billion dollars. Only the far-bigger New Orleans area would get more.
Though science-based, the Plan is not without controversy. Some Cameron residents have already been vocal about it not giving our coastal parish enough direct protection. And some Calcasieu Parish residents have raised eyebrows at a 44-mile levee system to protect against a catastrophic storm surge. Any time you talk about levees here, the discussion arises about turning whatever's behind it into a big swimming pool.
We all have a chance to give our input at a public hearing at the Lake Charles Civic Center's Contraband Room this Wednesday. Please try and attend. The Plan will be on display 1 to 530pm and then the hearing will be 530 to 730 in the evening. Public comments will be taken for a month and then it goes to the Legislature March 25th.
This is one of the most important projects ever proposed for Southwest Louisiana and its impact on our region will be significant. Don't let it happen without your direct input.
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