Letter to President Obama

Letter

Dear President Obama,

We, the undersigned, come together as a broad coalition of elected representatives, community leaders, and stakeholders with a common vision for creating a sustainable and permanent Louisiana coast. We applaud your support for coastal restoration and protection. As you plan your trip to South Louisiana to mark the fifth anniversary of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, we ask you to reaffirm your commitment to coastal restoration in Louisiana by explicitly offering your support for providing significant short and long-term funding to restore Louisiana's wetlands beyond restoration of the damage caused directly by the BP spill.

Coastal Louisiana has lost 34 square miles of wetlands annually for the past 50 years. Our coastal wetlands are crucial for our very survival, yet they continue to disappear at an unsustainable rate. During your campaign and the 2009 Katrina anniversary address, you spoke to the need to "strengthen the wetlands and barrier islands that are the Gulf Coast's first line of defense." We are greatly appreciative of the commitment you have shown thus far. This year, at the fifth anniversary of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, there is no better time to show your solidarity with the people of Louisiana than by expressing your full support for investing the fines collected from BP back into coastal restoration for Louisiana. Carol Browner signaled your support for investing these fines into coastal restoration when she said tha you "absolutely support the notion of returning it to the region." Mr. President, Louisiana's wetlands are dying, leaving our citizens vulnerable to storm surge and jeopardizing the diverse ecosystem that provides for our abundant wildlife and fisheries. During your visit to Louisiana, we urge you to personally and publicly announce your support for investing the fines associated with this spill in rebuilding Louisiana's coastal wetlands, as well as moving quickly with large-scale projects that would be credited toward the Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) process.

A sustained and long-term source of investment in restoring the wetlands is also necessary. The Deepwater Horizon oil spill has underscored the fact that coastal states assume the environmental risks of offshore energy production. However, in contrast to onshore states, coastal states receive on a tiny fraction of oil and gas revenues. We urge you to support putting in place a sustained dedicated source for reinvestment into these communities including immediate dedication of a share of federal OCS energy production revenue for coastal protection and restoration projects in impacted states.

Thank you again for the work you have done thus far and the efforts your Administration has made to restore the Gulf and prioritize coastal restoration. We stand jointly and individually ready to partner with you in support this nationally-vital initiative and look forward to hearing you address these important issues during your visit to Louisiana.

Sincerely,

Bobby Jindal
Governor of Louisiana

Mary Landrieu
United States Senator

David Vitter
United States Senator

Rodney Alexander
Member of COngress

Charles Boustany, M.D.
Member of Congress

Charlie Melancon
Member of COngress

Steve Scalise
Member of Congress

Bill Cassidy, M.D.
Member of Congress

Anh "Joseph" Cao
Member of Congress