Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana
The Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana (CRCL) is a non-profit advocacy organization whose mission is the protection and restoration of a sustainable coastal Louisiana.
Goals and Methods
The goal of the Coalition is to reverse the pattern of net land loss in coastal Louisiana and to reestablish a sustainable balance to its geologic processes and communities. In pursuit of this goal, the Coalition advocates for the implementation of sustainable coastal policies and monitors coastal activities to ensure that stringent regulations and enforcement policies are maintained.
The Coalition facilitates and funds restoration activity and work diligently to raise awareness and educate the public about the importance of restoring and preserving coastal Louisiana.
CRCL is an organization dedicated to the stewardship of one of the world's greatest natural, cultural, and economic treasures - the bays, wetlands, and estuaries of coastal Louisiana. The Coalition is made up of a wide spectrum of organizations and individuals - conservationists, businesses, local governments, landowners, civic organizations, religious groups, commercial and recreational fishers, scientists, teachers, and concerned individuals.
Coalition History
The idea for the Coalition originated in 1985 and was recognized as a not-for-profit organization in 1988. Soon after being founded, the organization published "Coastal Louisiana: Here Today and Gone Tomorrow?" The document shifted the focus from documenting wetland loss to proposing a plan of action for restoration. The Coalition's first major initiative was to seek and secure a commitment from the State of Louisiana to make coastal restoration a top priority. The organization simultaneously realized two of their objectives outlined in "Here Today and Gone Tomorrow?" when in 1989 Louisiana voters approved Act 6 charging the state with conserving, restoring, creating and enhancing vegetated wetlands in coastal Louisiana. Act 6 also created the Governor's office of Coastal Activities and the State Wetlands Trust Fund.
Having secured a state commitment to the conservation of coastal Louisiana, the Coalition focused its attention on securing a federal commitment. The Coalition developed a national plan called "Save the Wetlands" which sought to gain the passage of national legislation that would commit federal funding and assistance to coastal restoration projects. As a result of their efforts, Congress passed the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act (CWPPRA). Also known as the Breaux Act, this piece of legislation acknowledged the productive capabilities and fragility of Louisiana coastal wetlands and provided expenditure of federal funds on a joint state and federal protection and restoration project. In 1995, the organization sponsored Coastal Summit '95 and published Coast Watchers guide and started producing public service announcements, Coastal Minutes. In 1996, Governor Mike Foster announced his commitment to add state general funds to the coastal restoration trust fund to match all available federal funds. In 1997, CRCL helped create a national network called Restore America's Estuaries to advocate for the national wetlands recognition with a goal of restoring one million acres of estuarine habitat, half of which will be in Louisiana. [Coast 2050: Toward a Sustainable Coast] was adopted in 1998 at the explicit urging of CRCL. The shared vision for the coast was to sustain a coastal ecosystem that supports and protects the environment, economy and culture of southern Louisiana.
Currently, the Coalition is partnering with the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation to advocate for the implementation of the Multiple Lines of Defense Strategy (MLODS).
Awards
1991 – Certificate of Merit awarded by Jefferson Parish, Louisiana honoring the Coalition’s Christmas Tree Recycling Program
1993 – Environmental Protection Agency region 6 Environmental Excellence Award
1997 – Conservation Organization of the Year presented by the Louisiana Wildlife Federation and the National Wildlife Federation
2006 – National winner of the National Civic Star Award honoring Hurst Middle LaBranche Wetland Watchers program
2007 – The Lewis Mumford award for Environment
2010 – Certificate of Excellence honoring the Coalition’s 20th anniversary awarded by the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act (CWPPRA)
2011 – Make a Difference Day award presented by USA WEEKEND, HandsOn Network and Newman’s Own
2011 - Presidential Volunteer Service Award presented to CRCL's Community Based Restoration Program.
State of the Coast: Implementing a Sustainable Coast for Louisiana
Contact information
Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana 6160 Perkins Road Suite #225 Baton Rouge, LA 70808
3801 Canal Street Suite 325 New Orleans, LA 70119
Toll-Free: 888LACOAST (888.522.6278) Email: coaltion@crcl.org Web: http://crcl.org