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Coastal authority’s FY‑26 draft annual plan totals about $1.8 billion; construction dominates spending
Summary
The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority’s draft FY‑26 annual plan lists roughly $1.8 billion in projects, with construction making up about 80% of the spending and statutory dedications plus federal grants the primary funding sources.
The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) presented committee staff with a draft FY‑26 annual plan that totals approximately $1.8 billion in projected expenditures, the majority of which are construction contracts to build or restore coastal features.
Overview and scale
Senate Fiscal Services noted the draft plan lists 133 active projects: 73 in construction, 53 in engineering and design, and 7 in planning. CPRA staff said about 80% of the proposed FY‑26 dollars are for construction activities. The agency also pointed to past growth in annual plan totals — the current plan is materially larger than the 10‑year‑old plan and reflects accelerated investment cycles.
Funding sources
CPRA staff and fiscal presenters told senators the agency’s operating and project expenditures are fueled by a mix of statutory dedications (primarily the Coastal Protection and Restoration Fund) and federal grants. In the FY‑26 recommendation presented to the committee, statutory dedications comprised about two‑thirds of the agency’s means of finance and federal funds about 29 percent. CPRA programs also rely on federal programs such as FEMA, NOAA grants, CWPPRA and RESTORE Act funding streams for specific projects.
Key program notes
- Project mix: CPRA counted 133 active projects, with construction making up the largest share of near‑term spending.
- Operating versus capital: The committee was reminded CPRA’s operating budget (about $200 million in the presentation) is substantially smaller than its capital or construction budget, which flows through capital outlay and federal program lines.
- Monthly and multi‑year trends: Fiscal staff showed projected expenditures for FY‑27 and FY‑28 declining slightly from the FY‑26 peak in the draft plan; construction spending is expected to increase as a share of the total.
Surplus and near‑term budget authority
Senate Fiscal Services noted that surpluses and special budget authority (including recurring transfers and previously approved BA‑7 authority) can alter near‑term spending capacity. The CPRA presentation also referenced ongoing federal negotiations and pay‑outs linked to Restore and Deepwater Horizon settlement funds.
Requests from lawmakers
Sen. Bret Allain asked for a parish‑level accounting; other senators asked for breakdowns of major initiative pots such as CWPPRA, Gomesa/RESTORE, and specific project‑level dollar amounts. CPRA staff and legislative fiscal staff agreed to provide more detailed breakdowns (project lists and planned FY‑26 disbursement timelines) on follow‑up.
Ending
The draft annual plan places heavy emphasis on construction and restoration projects paid largely from dedicated coastal funds and federal grants; the committee asked staff for project‑level detail and explanations of how current budget authority and any supplemental funds will be applied.
