The Louisiana Wildlife Federation (LWF) recently submitted formal public comments on the Draft Fiscal Year 2027 Annual Plan developed by the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA). This annual plan guides how Louisiana invests billions of dollars in coastal protection and restoration projects that affect wildlife habitat, public lands, and coastal communities.
Overall, LWF supports the direction of the FY 2027 plan—particularly projects that protect state-owned wildlife areas, strengthen natural storm protection, and sustain fish and wildlife habitat for future generations.
White Lake: A Top Priority for Wildlife and Communities
One of the most important areas highlighted in LWF’s comments is the White Lake Conservation Area in southwest Louisiana. White Lake is one of the largest and most ecologically significant state-owned coastal conservation areas in the state, encompassing roughly 72,000 acres of freshwater and intermediate marsh.
White Lake provides critical habitat for wintering and migratory waterfowl, wading birds, fisheries species, and plays a key role in Louisiana’s whooping crane recovery efforts. Just as important, it serves as a natural storm-surge buffer that helps protect inland communities like Gueydan and surrounding agricultural lands in Vermilion Parish.
The FY 2027 Annual Plan includes continued investment in White Lake restoration, including shoreline protection along the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway and maintenance of the north levee system. These features are essential for preventing saltwater intrusion, protecting interior marshes, and preserving decades of public investment in wildlife habitat. LWF strongly supports keeping White Lake a top restoration priority.
Protecting Public Wildlife Lands Across the Coast
Beyond White Lake, LWF supports projects in the FY 2027 plan that benefit other publicly owned wildlife areas managed by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, including:
- Marsh Island Wildlife Management Area, which provides critical marsh habitat and storm protection along the central coast
- State Wildlife Refuge, one of Vermillion Parish’s most productive waterfowl, birding, and fisheries habitats
Investing in restoration on public lands ensures long-term conservation benefits, public access, and accountability for how restoration dollars are spent.
Barrier Islands and Major Coastal Projects
LWF also supports major coastal projects included in the FY 2027 plan that protect wildlife habitat on a larger scale. This includes restoration of the Chandeleur Islands, one of the most important barrier island systems in the Gulf of America for migratory birds, fisheries productivity, and sea turtle nesting.
In addition, LWF recognizes the importance of large flood-risk-reduction systems like Morganza to the Gulf Hurricane Protection System, which protect coastal communities while complementing marsh restoration and shoreline protection efforts.
Why Sediment Diversions Still Matter
LWF continues to support a balanced coastal restoration strategy. While the FY 2027 Annual Plan focuses heavily on marsh creation, shoreline protection, and barrier island restoration, long-term ecosystem health also depends on sediment-based restoration.
LWF continues to advocate that large sediment diversions should remain part of Louisiana’s long-range Coastal Master Plan, even though they are not included in this year’s Annual Plan. LWF also recognizes that smaller diversion projects, such as the Davis Pond Diversion Project, can provide targeted benefits to all of our fisheries, not just a single species, by helping control salinity and sustain marsh ecosystems when designed and managed appropriately.
LWF’s comments emphasize three core principles:
- Protect wildlife and wildlife habitat
- Prioritize restoration on public lands
- Support science-based, long-term coastal solutions
As a member of the CPRA Coastal Master Plan 2029 Community Advisory Team (CAT), LWF will continue working to ensure future coastal plans reflect these values and protect Louisiana’s natural heritage.
Healthy wetlands mean healthy wildlife, safer communities, and a stronger coast for all of us.
Read LWF’s CPRA FY27 Annual Plan comments HERE