Federal update: GOMESA cap increase, allotment projections and mixed outlook for Corps/NOAA funding

At the July 16 CPRA board meeting, federal policy and budget developments were a major focus. Neil McMillan (identified in the meeting as "Neil McMillan, d e n r") briefed the board on a recent federal bill that he said increased the GOMESA cap and on the FY26 federal budget picture for coastal programs, describing both near‑term gains and continuing funding uncertainty.

On GOMESA: "We finally saw the GOMESA cap increased, which should translate into significant additional dollars starting next spring arriving to the Coastal Trust Fund," McMillan said, adding that the provision in the recently enacted bill raises the cap by about 30 percent and that the board—s estimate is this could yield roughly $46,000,000 more per year for coastal programs. McMillan attributed the legislative success to a coordinated effort by Louisiana—s delegation and other advocates and described potential next steps in federal advocacy.

Budget outlook and agency programs: McMillan said the Army Corps of Engineers' construction budget was tight and listed a small set of Louisiana projects included in FY26 congressional submissions. He said the house bill included several community project funding awards of note — including a $131,500,000 community project submission for Morganza — but cautioned that securing those sums through final appropriations remains uncertain. On NOAA, McMillan said many grants that states typically receive were cut in the draft budget, including reductions to coastal resiliency funding and the National Estuarine Research Reserve System.

Earmarks and Corps projects: McMillan outlined a range of Corps project and study requests submitted by members of Louisiana's delegation (for example, projects or studies for Morganza, West Bank and Vicinity, Upper Barataria Basin planning, and others). He said total asks exceed available appropriations and that congressional negotiation will determine which items proceed.

Project labor agreements and litigation: McMillan also summarized recent legal activity on project labor agreements (PLAs). He said a Trump administration memo limiting PLA mandates was followed by litigation, a preliminary injunction and continuing suits in multiple jurisdictions. He reported the New Orleans District had received a protest alleging a PLA requirement on a West Shore contract.

McMillan closed by urging continued coordination on federal advocacy and by noting that some funding outcomes are still being negotiated in Congress.

Ending: Board members expressed appreciation for the update and for the delegation—s work to advance funding for coastal Louisiana.