Collection:LPB

Genre: Panel, Public Affairs

Place Covered: Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 2023-03-08

Duration: 00:57:18

Subjects: Louisiana's Comprehensive Master Plan for a Sustainable Coast | Louisiana. Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority | Environment | COASTAL EROSION | COASTAL RESTORATION

Contributors:

• Moreau, Andre Host
• Johnson, Ben Producer
• Lecoq, Christopher Producer
• Brown, Stuart Interviewee
• Kline, Chip Interviewee
• Jurisich, Mitch Interviewee
• Miller, Brad Interviewee
• Bui, Linda Panelist
• McLindon, Chris Panelist
• Macaluso, Chris Panelist
• Lambert, Ryan Interviewee
• Haase, Bren Panelist
• Orgeron, Joseph Panelist

This episode of the series “Louisiana Spotlight” from March 8, 2023, focuses on Louisiana’s coastal master plan. In the first segment, host Andre Moreau visits the Spanish Pass Restoration Project near Venice and the LSU Center for River Studies in Baton Rouge and reports on the goals of the coastal master plan, a 50-year plan that is updated every six years. It includes interviews with: Stuart Brown, assistant administrator for the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA); Chip Kline, CPRA chairman; Mitch Jurisich, the chairman of the Louisiana Oyster Task Force; and Brad Miller, the project manager for the Spanish Pass Restoration Project. Next, Moreau leads a panel discussion with: Dr. Linda Bui, an ecosystem ecologist and environmental sciences professor at LSU; Chris McLindon, a geologist and owner of McLindon Geosciences; and Chris Macaluso, the director of the Center for Marine Fisheries at the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. They discuss the work of their organizations and their contributions to the master plan. Next, Moreau reports on the success of river diversion projects in creating new land. It includes interviews with: Captain Ryan Lambert, owner of Cajun Fishing Adventures; Chip Kline, CPRA chairman; and Mitch Jurisich, chairman of the Louisiana Oyster Task Force. Moreau then continues leading the panel discussion with Dr. Bui, McLindon, and Macaluso. They discuss: the river diversion projects; the science behind the master plan; and their hopes for the new master plan. Next, Moreau interviews Mitch Jurisich, the chairman of the Louisiana Oyster Task Force, who discusses his concerns about the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Project and its impact on oyster fisheries. Lastly, Moreau leads a panel discussion with: Dr. Linda Bui, an ecosystem ecologist and environmental sciences professor at LSU; Bren Haase, the executive director of CPRA; and State Representative Joseph Orgeron, the executive director of Restore or Retreat. They discuss: the concerns about river diversion projects; the success of past coastal master plans; the Maurepas Swamp Diversion Project; the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Project; and the funding for the current master plan.