The U.S. Department of Interior will give Louisiana $242 million over the next two years for coastal restoration and protection projects. These funds are the result of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 which created the coast impact assistance program. The funds come from federal offshore oil and gas leasing and production.
According to the Baton Rouge Advocate article on Friday April 24, 2009 entitled, State to get millions for coastal restoration, Carlton Dufrechou, executive director of the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation and P.J. Hahn, administrator for coastal zone management in Plaquemines Parish, expressed their gratitude for the funds. U.S. Senator Landrieu stated, “It reminds us that a thriving oil and gas industry provides many benefits to Louisiana.”