coast
Newsletter
Governor's plans could jeopardize Louisiana's coastal protection efforts
Environmental advocates warn that Louisiana's new governor is threatening the state's leading coastal protection agency by making significant changes to its structure and leadership.
In short:
- Louisiana has lost over 2,000 square miles of land since the 1930s, and experts predict it could lose another 2,000 in the next 50 years.
- Governor Jeff Landry has removed key members of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority's board and plans to merge it with a larger department.
- Critics argue these actions could slow critical projects and politicize the agency's work.
Key quote:
“It just seems like it’s chaotic at a time when we do not need that kind of chaos.”
— Rebecca Triche, executive director of the Louisiana Wildlife Federation
Why this matters:
Louisiana's coastline is among the most vulnerable in the nation, facing significant threats from climate change and human activity. The health of the coastal region directly impacts fisheries, tourism, and even the resilience of inland areas against hurricanes and flooding. The governor's changes come at a time when science-backed strategies and stable leadership are essential to navigate these complex challenges effectively.
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Newsletter
Rebuilding in Lahaina sees easing of coastal rules after wildfires
Homeowners in Lahaina, Maui, will now find it easier to rebuild their homes damaged by recent wildfires, as state and local governments relax certain zoning laws to speed up the recovery process.
In short:
- State and county initiatives have suspended the Coastal Zone Management Act specifically for Lahaina, aiding quicker reconstruction post-wildfire.
- A new Recovery Permitting Center will focus on expediting residential rebuilding permits, though plans for commercial properties remain unclear.
- The faster permitting process is crucial for Lahaina as it transitions from disaster response to recovery, focusing on rebuilding homes and infrastructure.
Why this matters:
The easing of restrictions presents a tangible dilemma: it promises swifter reconstruction and a semblance of normalcy for residents yearning for stability, but it also raises the specter of long-term environmental costs. Proponents of the relaxed rules argue that the community's economic recovery hinges on the ability to rebuild quickly and without the red tape that often delays progress. Detractors, however, warn of a slippery slope, suggesting that leniency in the face of disaster could set a precedent for weakening environmental protections under the guise of recovery.
Related: As western wildfires become bigger and more intense, state and federal fire agencies are using more and more aerial fire retardant, prompting concerns over fish kills, aquatic life, and water quality.
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Climate change splits Maine lawmakers trying to aid storm-ravaged coastal towns
Maine lawmakers mulling how to help coastal communities devastated by back-to-back storms this month are airing ideas that are shaped in part by partisan splits on climate change.
Newsletter
The last residents of a coastal Mexican town destroyed by climate change
Flooding has destroyed the Mexican town of El Bosque. It's driven by some of the world’s fastest sea-level rise and increasingly brutal winter storms.
Protecting New Zealand's cities from climate change
New Zealand's coastal communities bear the brunt of extreme weather events. In Auckland, young engineers and architects are using technology to help their city withstand the impact of our changing climate.
Newsletter
Designing coastal waterfronts for South Florida’s wet future
Florida International University researchers look at nature as a role model to design coastal areas where humans can survive as 21st century sea levels rise.
Louisiana’s coast is vanishing — except for Wax Lake Delta
New land is rare good news in the state’s struggles to address its rapidly disappearing Gulf Coast.
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