Louisiana Senate Bill SR220

Louisiana 2017 Regular Session

• Introduced: 6/8/17
• Passed: 6/8/17

Caption

Requests the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority and the office of multimodal commerce to study shipping lanes in need of dredging and whether dredging spoil could be of beneficial use for integrated coastal protection.

Impact

The study proposed by SR220 aims to directly impact how coastal restoration efforts are financed and executed. The resolution acknowledges the potential utility of dredging spoil for beneficial purposes, such as creating marshlands and constructing levees, thus integrating waste management into coastal protection strategies. However, it also points out that the cost of transporting dredging spoil may present significant challenges. Successful implementation could lead to more effective utilization of maritime resources in protecting states from natural disasters, particularly in vulnerable coastal areas.

Summary

Senate Resolution 220 urges the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority and the Office of Multimodal Commerce to study the shipping lanes that require dredging and assess whether dredging spoil can be utilized for integrated coastal protection. The resolution highlights the responsibility of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority in coordinating various aspects of hurricane protection, flood control, and coastal restoration, and identifies the need for an effective strategy to utilize dredging spoil in these efforts. Moreover, it calls for collaboration with the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the Water Institute of the Gulf.

Sentiment

Discussions surrounding SR220 appear generally supportive, as it seeks proactive measures to address coastal preservation. Stakeholders recognize the importance of integrated coastal management approaches that can leverage various resources for environmental protection. However, there may be underlying concerns regarding the feasibility and efficacy of such dredging projects, including budget constraints and the coordination required between multiple governmental and engineering entities.

Contention

One notable point of contention revolves around the lack of identified funding sources for the Dredge and Deepening Fund, which the resolution mentions is crucial for facilitating the necessary studies and recommendations. The calls for coordination between local, state, and federal entities may provoke debates regarding jurisdiction and resource allocation, as different bodies may have varying priorities and perspectives on coastal restoration initiatives.