Coastal Restoration Organizations Praise Appointment of New CPRA Interim Chairperson

(Baton Rouge) Today, Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards announced changes in the leadership of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, with Johnny Bradberry stepping down after two years of service and Chip Kline being appointed Interim Executive Assistant to the Governor for Coastal Activities, as well as Interim Chairperson of the state’s Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA).

Restore the Mississippi River Delta, a coalition of national and local conservation organizations committed to coastal Louisiana restoration including Environmental Defense Fund, the National Wildlife Federation, National Audubon Society, Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana, and Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation, as well as Restore or Retreat, The Nature Conservancy, and Louisiana Wildlife Federation issued the following statement:

“Given the significant challenges facing our coast, we are grateful to Governor John Bel Edwards for moving quickly to fill a position that is so critical to Louisiana and our future.

“For his two years of service and contributions to our coast while in this critical role, we thank Chairman Johnny Bradberry and wish him well in his future endeavors. During his tenure, Bradberry continued momentum on progress toward restoration and protection of our coast, including securing a landmark Memorandum of Understanding with the federal government committing the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion to a 2-year federal permitting timeline.

“In appointing Chip Kline to serve as interim leader of CPRA, Governor Edwards is ensuring a smooth transition and that someone with significant, relevant experience will guide the agency forward in its mission to address the rapid disappearance of Louisiana’s coast.

“Having served in top coastal leadership positions in Louisiana for a decade, Kline has tremendous experience that has helped Louisiana navigate some of the most difficult challenges our state has faced, from the BP oil spill settlement to devastating hurricanes to implementation of complex, large-scale coastal restoration projects. Kline has delivered for Louisiana’s coast time and again, from the halls of Congress to the Louisiana Legislature to meetings in coastal communities across the state. He has been a consistent and driven champion for the people, wildlife and industries that depend on restoration and protection of Louisiana’s coast.

“Our organizations look forward to continued partnership with Chip Kline and the rest of the staff at the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority as we collectively work to address the greatest threat facing the future of Louisiana.”