[StBernard] Breaking News: The Louisiana Speaks Regional Plan is Here!

Westley Annis westley at da-parish.com
Thu May 3 00:28:22 EDT 2007


Louisiana Speaks Regional Plan Calls for Sweeping Proposals to Manage
Coastal Risk, Reinvest in Communities, and Create Regional Transit

The Louisiana Speaks Regional Plan <http://www.louisianaspeaks.org> , which
was announced today by members of the Louisiana Recovery Authority
<http://www.lra.louisiana.gov/> and citizen leaders
<http://www.louisianaspeaks.org/static.html?id=44> , includes more than 100
recommended strategies and actions aimed at comprehensively managing future
risk, reinvesting in existing communities, and creating a regional transit
system.

"Katrina and Rita are not the last hurricanes to ever hit Louisiana, but we
can take steps to make them the last storms to devastate us like they did,"
said Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco. "The people of Louisiana recognize
that we live in a coastal environment and must continue working to limit our
exposure to damages from future storms. They have called for this plan and
formed these ideas. And now, if we can work together - citizens, businesses,
elected officials, and community and faith-based leaders-to begin
implementing the recommendations proposed in this Regional Plan, we can, and
we will, realize our vision for a safer, stronger, smarter Louisiana."

"This is not another 'do-gooder' planning exercise; this is a plan for
action. This plan includes specific infrastructure recommendations that we
can act on now to create a seamless regional and local transportation
network across South Louisiana," said Donna Fraiche, Chair of the LRA's Long
Term Community Planning Task Force. "It proposes steps that we can take
immediately to focus land development and public investments in existing
communities and discourage land use and new development in unprotected,
environmentally sensitive areas; and it outlines a very detailed risk
management strategy aimed at helping us improve the overall accessibility
and affordability of insurance."

The Louisiana Speaks Regional Plan <http://www.louisianaspeaks.org> , which
has been developed over the last 18 months using scenario planning, world-
class computer modeling and technical analysis, and extensive public input
from tens of thousands of citizens and stakeholders, will be unveiled at
5:30 today at a town hall meeting held at the Shaw Center for the Arts
Manship Theater in Baton Rouge.

This is the first of a series of public meetings that will be held across
South Louisiana to present the Plan throughout the month of May.

Visit www.louisianaspeaks.org <http://www.louisianaspeaks.org> to download
an online copy of the Louisiana Speaks Regional Plan or click here
<http://www.louisianaspeaks.org/calendar.html> to check for upcoming events
in your area.

Spanning parishes from the Texas to Mississippi border (including the
Houma/Thibodaux, New Orleans, North Shore, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Lake
Charles, St. Bernard and Plaquemine areas), the The Louisiana Speaks
Regional Plan <http://www.louisianaspeaks.org> provides a broad strategic
framework and priorities for moving Louisiana forward.

"It's projected Louisiana will gain substantial population and economic
growth over the next 30 years, and you must have a plan that will guide
Louisiana's long term recovery and accommodate for this new growth. This
roadmap for the future is the Louisiana Speaks Regional Plan," said Peter
Calthorpe, lead planner for Louisiana Speaks
<http://www.louisianaspeaks.org> and principal of Calthorpe Associates
<http://www.calthorpe.com> . "The Plan recommends steps Louisiana must take
to recover sustainably over the next five to ten years; it proposes actions
you must take to grow smarter, foster healthy communities and create a
diverse, resilient economy; and it includes recommendations to establish a
structure that will enable you to plan, implement and think regionally over
the long run."

"The tens of thousands of citizens that weighed in on the regional poll told
us they want more transit options, more economic development and better ways
to reduce risk from future storms," said Elizabeth "Boo" Thomas, President
of the Center for Planning Excellence. "Well we were listening when
Louisiana spoke, and this regional plan is the result."

Highlights of the Regional Plan

Key proposals include recommendations to:

Manage Storm and Flood Risk The Plan proposes a multi-pronged risk
management strategy which includes recommendations to support the
restoration of our wetlands, construction of strategic levees, investment in
systems of secondary defense, enforcement of building codes, implementation
of coastal zoning ordinances, efforts to focus new development in low-risk
areas, management of watersheds and the acquisition of high-risk
environmentally sensitive land.

Reinvest in Existing Communities Because many of our communities have seen
decades of declining populations and employment, we now face an urgent need
for reinvestment. As a solution, the Plan proposes specific recommendations
to immediately focus infrastructure and development in existing communities,
reduce financial and regulatory barriers to infill development, and create
local capacity for spurring reinvestment.

Build the Transportation Network of the Future The Plan also calls for the
development of a cutting-edge transportation network, including a rail line
between Baton Rouge and New Orleans along the 1-10 corridor, which will
support communities and robust goods movement across the region.


>From Plan to Action


Louisiana Speaks <http://www.louisianaspeaks.org> immediately will begin
working with the Louisiana Legislature to consider resolutions to study and
implement several key recommendations from the Plan. These include:

Create the "Louisiana Community Reinvestment Trust Fund"This fund would
provide grants to work in tandem with Louisiana's Main Street program to
support plans and projects that reinvigorate existing commercial and civic
streets, spaces, and corridors, including downtowns, historic districts, and
main streets.

Establish the "Louisiana Conservation and Mitigation Trust Fund This program
would provide the structure for Louisiana to begin working with nonprofits
such as the Trust for Public Land and the Nature Conservancy, and leveraging
federal, state, local and private resources to purchase high-risk and
environmentally sensitive areas.

Create an Office of State Planning This office would be responsible for
integrating and coordinating state-level planning for risk management,
emergency planning, economic development, housing, conservation, community
growth, and transportation.

Identify and Remove Obstacles to Infill Development

Identify Financing Mechanisms for Transit

Identify Financial Incentives for Building Code Compliance and Voluntary
Mitigation Measures

The LRA is also supporting the implementation of strategic local recovery
projects by setting aside $200 million in Community Development Block Grant
(CDBG) funds that are currently available to local and parish
municipalities. The LRA has also stated its goal of expanding this pool of
funds by $550 million to support implementation of local plans for
Louisiana's long-term recovery if Congress appropriates additional funds or
waives the 10 percent FEMA match requirement.

The LRA will also take up a resolution in support of the Louisiana Speaks
Regional Plan at its upcoming Board Meeting, on May 10, 2007, at Baton Rouge
Community College. Visit www.lra.louisiana.gov
<http://www.lra.louisiana.gov/events.html> for event details.

Louisiana Speaks <http://www.louisianaspeaks.org> is the long-term planning
initiative of the Louisiana Recovery Authority
<http://www.lra.louisiana.gov> that is supported with private funds
provided by the LRA Support Foundation
<http://www.lrasupportfoundation.org/site/c.gtJVJdMRIsE/b.1202087/k.BEDC/Hom
e.htm> .

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated South Louisiana, claiming 1,464
lives, destroying more than 200,000 homes and 18,000 businesses. The
Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA) is the planning and coordinating body
that was created in the aftermath of these storms by Governor Kathleen
Babineaux Blanco to lead one of the most extensive rebuilding efforts in the
world. The LRA is a 33-member body which is coordinating across
jurisdictions, supporting community recovery and resurgence, ensuring
integrity and effectiveness, and planning for the recovery and rebuilding of
Louisiana.





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