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CPRA board authorizes chair and interim director to negotiate change order, permits and trustee agreements after executive session on Mid‑Barataria diversion
Summary
Following an executive session held under Louisiana statutes for attorney‑client privilege, the CPRA board delegated authority to the chairman and interim executive director to execute a change order and to negotiate permits and trustee agreements related to the Mid‑Barataria sediment diversion project.
Following an executive session held under Louisiana Revised Statutes concerning attorney‑client privilege and deliberative process protections, the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Board returned to public session and approved three authorities related to the Mid‑Barataria sediment diversion matter.
1) Authority to execute change order: The board authorized the chairman to execute a change order “in essentially the same form and substance as presented to the board during the executive session.” The motion was made by Tony Alford and seconded by Mr. Bourgeois and carried on a roll‑call vote with board members recorded as voting yes.
2) Permit negotiations authorization: The board authorized the chairman and/or the interim executive director to negotiate permit status with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, and to take actions on permits (including suspension, termination or modification) as they and legal counsel deem appropriate. The motion was moved by Mr. Bourgeois and seconded and carried on roll call.
3) Trustee negotiation authorization: The board authorized the chairman and/or the interim executive director to negotiate with the Trustee Implementation Group (TIG), the Louisiana Trustee Implementation Group (LATIG) and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) regarding any agreements, resolutions or settlements associated with the project, including potential termination or alternative projects, subject to legal approval. The motion was moved by Mr. Bourgeois, seconded by Mr. Hidalgo and approved by roll call.
The board announced the executive session items included an update on pending litigation: Jurisich Oysters LLC et al. v. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers et al. (docket number referenced in the session) pending in federal court, and Plaquemines Parish Government v. Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (state court matter). The board read specific executive session topics into the record before entering closed session, including requests and settlement demands from contractors and negotiations with federal and trustee entities.
Why this matters: the authorizations give the chairman and interim executive director delegated authority to negotiate and sign certain documents related to permits, contracts and trustee agreements—actions the board said were necessary after confidential legal briefings.
