On Wednesday, January 23, Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards announced plans to allocate $55 million in state surplus dollars to important coastal protection and restoration projects, as well as announcing more than $300 million through the Gulf of Mexico Security Act to fund master plan risk-reduction projects across the coast over the next three years. He also announced the appointment of Chip Kline to executive assistant to the governor for coastal activities, a position that also serves as chairperson of the state’s Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority.

The following statement is from Barry Gold, director of the Environment Program at the Walton Family Foundation:

“I commend Governor Edwards for his commitment to delivering on the promise of coastal restoration. Chairman Kline’s experience and focus on project implementation comes at a critical time for Louisiana’s coastal program, as preparations are made for the next Coastal Master Plan. Governor Edwards also showed Louisiana is honoring its commitment to ensuring every coastal dollar is spent on restoring and protecting the vital Louisiana coastline on which communities, business and wildlife depend.”