The America’s WETLAND Foundation is opposing the use of BP oil spill fine money to elevate Louisiana 1 near Port Fourchon or for any other infrastructure project. It announced its position September 26, 2015, putting it at odds with Governor Bobby Jindal.
On Sept. 16, Jindal asked the state Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority to change state policy to let some of the BP oil spill settlement dollars be used to pay for part of the $350 million bridge project, if there’s a surplus left after completion of more than $700 million in restoration projects funded by the federal Restore Act. The authority voted to table a vote on the change until a later meeting, after several of its board members objected.
“There is no underestimating the importance of Port Fourchon, but these types of projects must stay separate from restoration efforts,” said King Milling, chair of the America’s WETLAND Foundation. “Unless we do everything possible to stop coastal land loss in this state, there will not be a Port Fourchon or Grand Isle. This funding source should remain dedicated to its intended purpose, and any attempt to do otherwise would set a bad precedence.”