Lousiana Will Vote On Constitutional Changes To Protect Eroding Delta

[hatrack]

Whittled wetlands on ballot
Three amendments address restoration
Monday, September 22, 2003
By Laura Maggi, Capital Bureau

BATON ROUGE - "That Lousiana's coastal wetlands are shrinking at a rate of 25 to 30 square miles per year is not in dispute. Scientists and policy-makers agree the problem is real and severe.

The question for voters Oct. 4, however, is whether three proposed constitutional amendments on the ballot are the proper approach to begin stemming the loss of marshland, shorelines and barrier islands that help protect businesses, homes and crucial fisheries along the Gulf of Mexico from hurricanes and other natural disasters.

Gov. Foster is promoting all three amendments, which are the first three on the lengthy ballot, saying the first two could provide some of the seed money -- to be matched with federal dollars -- to begin the massive restoration projects necessary to repair damage to the coast, while the third would halt equally massive legal judgments that could arise as a result of those projects.

EDIT

The unusual twist to Lousiana's property takings law was a contributing factor in the awards in the oyster cases in St. Bernard and Plaquemines parishes, where farmers were awarded $21,000 or more per acre for leases damaged by the Caernarvon Diversion. But Mike Voisin, chairman of the Louisiana Oyster Task Force, pointed out that the proposed changes are not restricted solely to oyster farmers. 'If you live in coastal areas, the Legislature can reduce the value of what you own over (the property of) the rest of the citizens in the state because of the public challenge of coastal restoration,' he said."

EDIT

Long, fascinating article at:

Times-Picayune