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Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority board adopts $1.54 billion FY27 annual plan
Summary
The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Board unanimously adopted its fiscal year 2027 final annual plan, authorizing roughly $1.54 billion in spending authority (about $1.2 billion for construction) and advancing a slate of dredging and marsh-creation projects.
At a meeting of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Board, members voted unanimously to adopt Resolution 2026301, approving the authority’s fiscal year 2027 final annual plan and authorizing approximately $1.54 billion in spending authority, including about $1.2 billion identified for construction.
Executive Director Mike Hair told the board the plan translates the CPA master plan into a near-term program of projects, noting the board had presented a draft in December, taken public comment through February, and planned to submit the final plan to the state legislature and four legislative committees the next day. “How we take the master plan and put it into action,” Hair said, outlining public outreach and a three-year output forecast.
The plan’s funding mix includes recurring state revenue, state mineral funds, federal partnerships (including GOMESA-related opportunities), and a new revenue line the presentation labeled “coastal settlements” — settlement proceeds from litigation that CPA expects to program for projects if and when funds are available. Hair said the FY27 request reflects what the authority believes it can execute in the coming year, not the precise revenue inflows.
Board materials and the presentation emphasized implementation: about 93% of requested expenditures were described as project implementation rather than operating costs. The presentation listed 18 dredge projects the authority expects to advance (reported as moving roughly 52 million cubic yards over their lifetimes) and an expected creation of more than 11,000 acres of marsh across the portfolio.
Secretary Davis asked whether recent diesel and commodity price increases were affecting project delivery. Mike Hair acknowledged that a small number of projects in implementation were already being affected and said staff were monitoring markets and timing; “we’re going to adjust in some way,” he told the board, adding that CPA intends to keep projects moving while making near-term adjustments where necessary.
A motion to adopt the resolution was made and seconded; the board voted unanimously to approve Resolution 2026301. The chair and several members commended Hair and CPA staff for preparing the plan and noted the portfolio ranges from pump stations and levee systems to marsh creation, land bridges and living reefs.
Next steps include submitting the adopted plan to the legislature and moving forward with contracting and construction timelines on projects that have advanced to that stage.
