What’s New In Water Policy: Your January Briefing

Here are the latest news stories on local and national water policy to watch for in 2018. Scroll to the end for a list of water events and opportunities to keep on your radar.

In The News

CPRA releases draft of FY2019 Coastal Restoration Plan
Source: CPRA, Bureau of Energy Management
CPRA released its Draft Fiscal Year 2019 Annual Plan, which includes spending on coastal restoration and hurricane protection for the upcoming fiscal year, as well as projections for 2020 and 2021. The plan’s FY 2019 budget proposal of $561.8 million for coastal restoration and hurricane protection projects represents a reduction from FY 2018 due to less offshore oil money than Louisiana expected under the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GOMESA). FY 2019 includes the state’s first payment under Phase II of GOMESA; prior projections for GOMESA’s contribution to coastal restoration were $120-140 million annually, but current estimates are set to $60-70 million based on expected oil production (CPRA is partnering with Restore or Retreat to develop a more reliable forecast for the GOMESA revenue stream). GOMESA funds will largely go to fund hurricane protection projects such as levees, flood gates, pump stations, and surge barriers throughout coastal Louisiana.

The FY2019 Implementation Plan includes:

• 2 projects in planning phase, one restoration and one protection project, totalling $10.4 million;
• 34 restoration projects in the design phase, representing a total state investment of $137 million;
• 23 projects in the construction phase, including 10 protection and 13 restoration projects, totalling $282 million.

 Additionally, CPRA has allotted approximately $54 million in 2019 for operation, maintenance, and monitoring, including operation and maintenance for 136 projects and monitoring of 105 projects. Comments from the public are being accepted until February 12; CPRA will have the final version of the Plan at its February 21 meeting and the approved version will be presented to the Louisiana Legislature for approval on March 14. For the Draft Fiscal Year 2019 Plan see here.

Credit Rating Firm Warns Cities of Adapting to Climate Change
Source: The Times-Picayune
The credit rating agency Moody’s Investor Services released a report that it will begin evaluating how cities are adapting to sea level rise, flooding, severe storms, and other climate change impacts when setting ratings for loans and bonds. The impact on cities’ interest rates for public projects, including loans for street repairs and new parks, could drive cities to take more adaptive measures. According to the Moody’s report, “Local governments that face a higher risk of climate shocks are specifically asked by analysts during the rating process about their preparedness for such shocks and their activities in respect of adapting to climate trends.” The report includes the example of how New Orleans’ general obligation bond rating was downgraded due to the disruption and impacts from Hurricane Katrina, taking 5 years for the city to return to a stable A3 rating, and warns that Louisiana will be particularly impacted by climate change. For more information see here.  

Reauthorization of the NFIP
Source: FEMA
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) continues to be reauthorized on short-term basis — the President signed legislation extending the NFIP’s authorization when it was set to expire on December 22, 2017.  However, the extension is only for four weeks, and Congress will now have to re-authorize it before January 19, 2018. In the event that the NFIP lapses, FEMA would stop selling and renewing flood insurance policies, which could impact new home sales. For more information see here. 

Sewerage and Water Board Issues Updates
Source: Times-Picayune, S&WB
The New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board (S&WB) has hired an interim Executive Director, Marcie Edwards, to lead the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board during the search for a permanent replacement for Cedric Grant. Edwards has served as power and water utilities manager in Anaheim and Los Angeles, California. For more information see here.

The S&WB presented its 2018 capital budget in December, which includes $1.2 billion for 253 total infrastructure projects. Approximately half of the budget is allocated for drainage projects; however, $56 million of these drainage projects have no identified funding source. The budget includes nearly $39 million in emergency drainage projects in response to the flood events of summer 2017, including restoration of the power generation system and pumping station pump repairs. The 2018 operating budget includes an uptick in hiring, including an additional 635 staff positions to address 381 existing vacancies and create 254 new positions. For more information on the 2018 budget see here and here.

Finally, the S&WB transferred control of the surge gates and pumping stations at the lakefront ends of the 17th Street, Orleans, and London Avenue canals to the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-East. The S&WB and Levee Authority will split annual operating and maintenance costs, and will require coordination on the gate closures and pump operations. The transfer is seen as being more in line with the flood protection mission of the Levee Board, allowing the S&WB to focus on drainage. For more information see here.

More Water Headlines

• Baton Rouge opens international water research hub
• A Vital Port for the Nation’s Oil and Gas Industry Is On Its Way To Becoming An Island
• To Test for Climate Disasters: Break, Burn, and Throw Stuff
• The Continental U.S. is experiencing more flooding, and earlier in the year
• The Bayou’s Alive, Ignoring It Could Kill Houston

Upcoming Events & Opportunities

• For Residents
  • CPRA Public Meetings | January 8-10 begins at 6:30pm, various locations ; CPRA will provide its annual update on ecosystem restoration and hurricane protection. Meetings held in Belle Chasse, Houma, and Lake Charles; public comments accepted till Feb 12. Public meeting locations here.
  • Xmas Tree Recycling for Wetland Protection | various times and locations ; Christmas trees can be recycled to help create marsh habitat in coastal zones in Orleans, Jefferson, St. Charles, and Tangipahoa Parish. Dates and pickup locations here.
  • Urban Water Series on Green Infrastructure | January 10 from 8:30-1:00 pm ; GNOF and the City of New Orleans technical master class on Integrating Green Infrastructure into complete streets. A free public workshop held at 5:30 pm. Additional information here. 
  • Neighborhood Forum on Environmental Justice | January 16 at Propeller; Beer, dinner, and a robust discussion of the history of environmental justice in the Broadmoor, Gert Town, Hoffman Triangle, and Zion City communities. RSVP
• For Entrepreneurs
  • Green Drinks with LifeCity | January 11 at Broad Street Cider and Ale; Propeller will partner with LifeCity for a “water-themed” happy hour! RSVP
  • Live applications for Propeller’s Growth Accelerator Program and Water Challenge Pitch Competition | Growth App due Jan. 25, Water Challenge App due Feb. 2; Opportunities for water-related businesses and entrepreneurs to receive assistance for their business in our three-month Growth Accelerator Program. The Water Challenge pitch competition awards $15,000 to ideas/businesses/nonprofits that improve how we live with water. For more information email adejong@gopropeller.org or attend one of our Q&A’s.