Louisiana is losing its coast — fast. A quarter of its wetlands have already vanished, and without urgent action, entire communities could be left defenseless against the next monster hurricane.

That’s why it was so devastating when state officials, under Governor Jeff Landry’s direction, abruptly canceled the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion — a $3 billion, science-backed project that would have used the Mississippi River to naturally rebuild 17,000 acres of land over the next 30 years.

It wasn’t just another environmental plan. It was our best shot at long-term, large-scale coastal protection — one that could reduce storm surge by up to 10 feet and restore the wetlands that shield our homes, support our fisheries, and sustain Louisiana’s culture.

Now, all of that is gone.

We, the undersigned, call on the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority and Governor Landry to reinstate the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion.

This project was built on decades of research and federal collaboration. Over $600 million has already been invested. Scrapping it this far in is short-sighted and dangerous.

Yes, concerns from fishing communities must be taken seriously. But doing nothing isn’t protecting them — it’s ensuring that their way of life collapses along with the wetlands they rely on.

We don’t need temporary fixes. We need systemic change. We need solutions that think beyond the next season, the next election, or the next budget cycle.

If we want Louisiana to have a future, we must bring this project back. Delay is no longer an option.