New York Times Focuses on Louisiana's Wetlands

While I'm glad to see the paper of record turn their attention to our shredded coast, the overall tone of the story is a bit troubling.

All coastal restoration stakeholders with any legitimacy acknowledge the challenges of pulling off this type of grand scale reengineering project, but this article certainly lacks the kind of hopeful outlook that I feel living in New Orleans. Down here we understand the equation - without coastal restoration, there will be no New Orleans. From Governor Blanco to Mayor Nagin to the local dogcatcher - there's no dissent:
levees + coast = category 5 protection for New Orleans.
levees - coast = no New Orleans

We all heard the President's pledge in Jackson Square:

"And tonight I also offer this pledge of the American people: Throughout the area hit by the hurricane, we will do what it takes, we will stay as long as it takes, to help citizens rebuild their communities and their lives. And all who question the future of the Crescent City need to know there is no way to imagine America without New Orleans, and this great city will rise again."

Well without effective levees and a rebuilt coast - that pledge cannot be fulfilled. The plan for the coast exists, it just needs to be taken off the shelf in DC, dusted off, funded and prioritized.

I'm not sure this article in the NY Times leaves you with that impression, but I'm glad to see the issue getting national attention.

Aaron Viles is the GRN's Campaign Director