January 28, 2005

La. Governor, Corps chief will sign historic agreement

NEW ORLEANS – Louisiana and the federal government will sign a partnership agreement Monday, Jan. 31, dedicating their “combined efforts towards a common goal of reversing the current trend of degradation of Louisiana’s coastal ecosystem.”

Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco and Lt. Gen. Carl A. Strock, chief of engineers, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, will participate in an official ceremony, beginning at 9 a.m. at the Louisiana State University Energy, Coast and Environment Building.

In addition, Strock will sign his own Chief of Engineer’s Report, a summary for the Congress, of the Louisiana Coastal Area Ecosystem Restoration Study. The general’s signature is a historic step in the advancement of the coastal restoration blueprint toward authorization. The study is a multi-agency achievement of a partnership of the Corps of Engineers and the state through the Department of Natural Resources.

The entire LCA study spreads over five volumes: including the main report, environmental impact statement, public comments and responses, a multi-part volume from science to history to modeling; and the plan formulation. Under their gray covers, these books illustrate a hard, complex job done by the study team’s 150 members. Stacked on a tabletop, they stand 7 1/4 inches high and weigh 15 pounds, 12 ounces.

To recognize those individuals involved in the LCA study, a pair of symbolic team achievement awards will be presented during the ceremony by Corps officials.

Media Note: The LSU Energy, Coast and Environment Building is at Nicholson Street and Nicholson Extension, across from Tiger Stadium. Participants will make themselves available for photos and media interviews after the ceremony.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: John Rickey, 601-634-5760
Julie T. Morgan, 504-862-2587
January 28, 2005.