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.
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.
Rising seas are likely to overwhelm the wetlands that line the coast of Louisiana, destroying the protection they offer the city of New Orleans as well as the fisheries and tourism that contribute heavily to the state's economy, a new study says.
