To answer the question of whether BP money should be dedicated to the state general fund or specifically to the coast, a local advocacy group is arguing that at least 80 percent of the funds — $21 billion — should be dedicated to coastal restoration.
The group in question, Women of the Storm, is a “non-partisan, non-political alliance of Louisiana women whose families, businesses and lives were affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita.”
And they’re right — the more focus put on the environment, the stronger Louisiana will stand in the future.
Some don’t seem to agree, however.
Commissioner of Administration Paul Rainwater recently released a statement that Gov. Bobby Jindal’s administration wants to spend a portion of the money from BP on bicentennial events.
Err, yeah. About that.
As much as Louisiana loves a party, that money belongs to the coast.
BP owes money to Louisiana for one reason: to rectify the damage their faulty practices have caused Louisiana’s ecology and economy. It would be a disservice to Louisiana citizens to spend that money elsewhere.
By dedicating the money to coastal issues, the government is bettering the future of the entire state.
Degradation of the coast has had and will have a substantial impact on all of the major aspects of Louisiana’s economy: energy, shipping, seafood, nature, freshwater, recreation and culture.
Loss of essential natural resources translates directly into loss of money: The coast’s 2.5 million acres of wetlands have annual storm protection values of between $520 million and $2.2 billion, reports The Energy Watch, which translates to $208 per acre lost.
According to the La. Corps of Engineers, “As a result of human activities and natural coastal processes, coastal Louisiana has lost more than 1.22 million acres of coastal wetlands within the last 70 years,” and “Between 328,000 and 431,000 acres will vanish in the next 50 years.”
It adds up.
In addition, a Tulane study from 2000 projected losses to the fishing industry by the year 2050 as a result of coastal land loss are $37 billion.
In other words, in the fishing industry alone Louisiana has lost out on $740 million of profit in the last year — a loss that could have been prevented with a stronger environmental conscience. The sooner we start protecting our natural resources, the greater we will benefit in upcoming years.
In Louisiana’s case, greater foresight could have prevented or drastically decreased the current $1.6 billion budget deficit.
The safety of Louisiana’s citizens must also be considered.
Because marshlands mitigate and prevent storm damage, putting the coast at risk leaves Louisiana populations at risk — a matter that becomes increasingly important as hurricane season approaches. People put in place the policies that allowed Hurricane Katrina to have such a devastating impact long before the hurricane reached shore.
By dedicating the BP money to sectors other than coastal restoration, the government is saying the safety and future of Louisiana’s citizens isn’t important — or at least less important than an anniversary party.
Restore or Retreat, a Louisiana coastal restoration advocacy group, states, “Between 60 and 70 percent of Louisiana’s population lives within 50 miles of the coast. Without adequate coastal restoration and protection, two million people are left vulnerable to life-threatening storms and hurricanes.”
But Louisiana, which is currently losing 16,000 to 22,000 acres of wetlands per year, has never been known for its foresight.
Of course, while organizations and coastal initiatives will be assisted by the money, their actions are not enough. Policy changes favoring a strong natural environment will be absolutely necessary to coastal regeneration.
Both economy and ecology will be adversely impacted if the people of Louisiana fail to protect natural resources.
BP’s reparations must go toward restoring and conserving the Louisiana coastline. There is simply no more important problem facing the state of Louisiana today.
If the “party” politics Jindal is advocating is anything to go by, the government is not taking the matter seriously enough.
Macy Linton is a 19-year-old international studies freshman from Memphis, Tenn. Follow her on Twitter @TDR_Mlinton.
 
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Contact Macy Linton at [email protected]