With three proposed constitutional amendments addressing coastal erosion on the Oct. 4 ballot, Louisiana voters will be faced with an issue that often gets overlooked – the environment.
Gubernatorial candidates have emphasized jobs and education in their platforms, but the environment has not been a top priority during the campaigning process.
The first three proposed amendments on the ballot are intended to combat the erosion of the Louisiana coastline.
Louisiana accounts for 40 percent of the coastal marshes in the 48 contiguous states and 80 percent of the nation’s yearly coastal wetland loss.
The U.S. Geological Society estimates that one acre of coastland is lost every 24 minutes, which adds up to 25 square miles a year.
Louisiana’s coastal wetlands provide habitat for fisheries and waterfowl and other animals, protection for oil and gas exploration and production, opportunities for tourism and flood protection.
Phyllis Darensbourg, public information director for the Department of Natural Resources, said continued wetland loss could damage the local economy for those dependent on Louisiana’s coastal resources.
“The coastal zone of Louisiana includes 2 million people,” Darensbourg said. “If coastal erosion continues at this rate, we are looking at a displacement of hundreds of thousands of people.”
Darensbourg also said the value of wetlands goes beyond the state level – it has implications for the entire nation.
“Louisiana is the energy corridor of America. Louisiana is No. 1 for crude oil production and No. 2 for natural gas,” she said. “Pipelines that leave Louisiana and go to the rest of the nation are protected by marshlands in Louisiana.”
The first proposed amendment, if passed, would funnel money from court settlements to the Wetlands Conservation and Restoration Fund.
Passing the second amendment would create the Louisiana Coastal Restoration Fund, which would raise money from Louisiana tobacco settlements.
The third amendment would limit the state’s liability of coastal erosion in past and future damages to private property.
Politicians are not the only Louisiana residents who are not focusing on environmental issues.
Lisa Lee, a communication disorders senior, said she does not know much about environmental issues in Louisiana because she is paying more attention to issues she deems relevant to her needs. Lee said the Louisiana job market is more important to her.
“What influences my opinion more is job opportunities because I am about to graduate,” she said. “I know tons of people that graduate and can’t find jobs. They move to Texas and go to attend school in other states where there are better job opportunities.”
Lee said she doesn’t think her opinion on candidates would change much because of their stances on environmental conditions.
Terrell Mims, an English senior, said he pays attention to environmental issues and thinks the candidates are not adequately addressing the issues.
“I think there needs to be a bigger focus on [environmental issues],” Mims said. “The marshlands are a valuable asset that we may lose if we don’t pay attention to it. Wildlife and plant life within it are very important.”
Mims said a candidate’s stance on environmental issues could influence his vote, but he also is looking at other issues. Mims sees education, jobs and teachers’ pay as more important issues.
Funds for wetlands to be decided by voters
September 30, 2003