CWPPRA task force updates projects and sparks discussion on parish representation and selection criteria

Neil McMillan (CPRA) briefed the board on the CWPPRA (commonly pronounced “Quipra”) program, the federal Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act program that has funded coastal restoration projects in Louisiana for 35 years.

Program background and funding

McMillan described CWPPRA as a congressionally authorized program (CWPPRA act) that channels a portion of the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund into coastal restoration, historically returning about 70% of the state‑eligible share to Louisiana. He said CWPPRA has supported repeated project types — marsh creation, barrier island restoration, terracing, hydrologic restoration, ridge restoration and monitoring — and funds the state’s largest coastal monitoring network (CRMS).

Recent approvals and project moves

McMillan summarized recent task force decisions: two closely related Saint Bernard Parish projects were combined into a single engineering and design package; concept components of the South Hills and Charles Land Bridge projects are being advanced for engineering; Grand Chenier marsh creation and terracing was approved for engineering and design; and three projects — Port Fourchon marsh creation, North Delacro marsh creation and terracing, and Bay Raccerty marsh creation and ridge restoration — were approved to move to construction (phase 2) with funding set in the current cycle.

Why it matters: CWPPRA remains a principal construction source for on‑the‑ground coastal work in Louisiana. McMillan said typical annual construction budgets are in the range of $60–$70 million and noted the program’s cumulative federal investment exceeds $1 billion with more than 105,000 net acres benefited in past projects.

Board discussion: parish representation and selection criteria

Board member Veil (speaker recorded as raising concerns) delivered a detailed critique of the selection process and parish influence: he urged CPRA and the task force to improve parish representation and suggested parishes should be better supported to develop local master plans and submit parish‑led project nominations so that local priorities drive early selection stages. He also suggested that CPRA consider mechanisms to ensure a portion of state match or emphasis of expenditures west of the Atchafalaya River. McMillan and CPRA board members acknowledged the program’s history and said they are open to modernizing CWPPRA processes and engaging parishes with technical support.

Next steps and public process

McMillan said regional nomination meetings were recently held and the task force will narrow nominations to a coast‑wide list and then to the phase‑1 candidate list in the spring; final phase decisions are expected later in the year. He invited board members to engage in the selection process and offered CPRA support for parish technical planning.

Public interest and outreach

McMillan noted CWPPRA funds monitoring, outreach and demonstration projects in addition to construction, and he highlighted the program’s role in training and public education about coastal careers and restoration techniques.