Issue Position: Coastal Resoration

Issue Position

Louisiana's working coast is a national treasure. But coastal erosion paired with bad government policies is threatening to wash away our coastal communities and the valuable products they provide our country. Louisiana needs a Senator who will protect our coast. No one will fight harder than Charles Boustany to ensure Louisiana's coastline remains a vibrant economic engine powering our state forward.

Coastal Restoration

Funding for coastal restoration is critical to stop devastating erosion and preserve our coastal communities for future generations. Dr. Boustany led the effort to develop a comprehensive restoration study covering the parishes in Southwest Louisiana. He fought to make sure dredging material was used for marsh creation and supported a program to hold the federal government accountable for maintaining the banks of our waterways and channels. The Louisiana shoreline is a working coast -- good economic policy must go hand-in-hand with good restoration and preservation policy.

Dr. Boustany is one of the original authors of the RESTORE Act, legislation that directs funding from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill disaster back to the state of Louisiana. Additionally, Boustany fought against President Obama's attempts to remove the funding Louisiana will receive through the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GOMESA), which Boustany helped author. Without state control of these critical sources of funding, Louisiana's coast will continue to erode, endangering working communities across South Louisiana. We need a Senator who understands that RESTORE and GOMESA funding must be preserved.

Ports

Our ports and waterways are vital arteries of commerce in Louisiana supporting thousands of jobs on our working coast. Louisiana has 32 ports, including 6 deep water ports. These ports support 400,000 direct and indirect jobs and $20 billion in personal earnings for Louisiana families. However, the federal government's negligence is allowing our ports to accumulate silt and fall into disrepair -- costing all of us more money and lost jobs. Dr. Boustany authored the Realize America's Maritime Potential (RAMP) Act, which forces the federal government to adequately maintain ports and harbors to their authorized depths, meaning more jobs and commerce flowing through our state.

Flood Insurance

Under the Biggert-Waters flood insurance law, Louisiana homeowners in coastal communities were facing massive flood insurance price increases. Listening to homeowners and business leaders in South Louisiana, Dr. Boustany worked with Louisiana delegation to rewrite this bad bill and protect coastal residents. A viable, affordable, and solvent flood insurance program is vital to families and industries along the Louisiana coastline. Dr. Boustany is the only candidate for U.S. Senate who stood up for Louisiana on the flood insurance issue. Others were more focused on their DC scorecards with special interest groups. The only scorecard that matters should be kept by the hard-working citizens of Louisiana.

Sensible Fisheries Policy

The federal government is completely inept at managing the Gulf of Mexico's fisheries. Recent Red Snapper fishing seasons are limited to as few as nine days. Yet, fishermen have plenty of anecdotal evidence suggesting Red Snapper stocks are teeming with fish. Dr. Boustany consistently supports state control of Red Snapper, and is the only candidate in the Senate race to continue to support this common-sense policy.

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