ENROLLED
2024 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 256
BY REPRESENTATIVE ZERINGUE
A RESOLUTION
To urge and request the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority to report to the House
Committee on Appropriations no later than June 12, 2024, describing potential
liabilities to the state general fund if the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion project
is not timely completed and outlining the steps the state can take to mitigate any
impact to the state general fund.
WHEREAS, the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority is the state agency
responsible for the comprehensive master coastal protection plan; and
WHEREAS, the goal of the comprehensive master coastal protection plan is coastal
restoration, coastal zone management, storm damage reduction, hurricane protection, flood
control, and the protection, conservation, restoration, and enhancements of coastal wetlands;
and
WHEREAS, the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion project is an important part of
the comprehensive master coastal protection plan; and
WHEREAS, the state began the permitting process for the Mid-Barataria Sediment
Diversion project in 2016 and began the construction phase in August of 2023; and
WHEREAS, the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion project has a $2.92 billion dollar
construction budget, comprised of $2.26 billion dollars from Natural Resource Damage
Assessment funds and $660 million dollars from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation;
and
WHEREAS, the state has set aside $378 million dollars for a mitigation and
stewardship program; and
WHEREAS, it has been reported that the state has spent $422 million dollars to date
on pre-construction, construction, and mitigation; and
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WHEREAS, it has been reported that the Plaquemines Parish Government has issued
a stop work order on the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion project; and
WHEREAS, it has been reported that the state could owe between $250 million and
$500 million dollars in damages to subcontractors if the state cancels contracts to build the
Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion project; and
WHEREAS, the repayment of funds may result in significant expenditures from the
state fisc.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby urge and request the Coastal Protection and Restoration
Authority to report to the House Committee on Appropriations no later than June 12, 2024,
describing potential liabilities to the state general fund if the Mid-Barataria Sediment
Diversion project is not timely completed and outlining the steps the state can take to
mitigate any impact to the state general fund.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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