At a series of meetings next month, residents can ask questions about the next version of the state’s Coastal Master Plan, its 50-year plan to stop the disappearance of the coast.
The New Orleans meeting will be held at Dillard University on Oct. 19.
The meetings will be held by the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, the state agency in charge of the plan.
These “Community Conversations” are designed to allow greater public input as the state revises the plan for the third time. Begun in 2007, the master plan must be updated every five years and approved by the Legislature. It’s now expected to cost $92 billion.
“More than anything, this is a listening tour for us, to let the communities speak to us directly about their concerns and ideas and hopes,” said Karim Belhadjali, the agency’s deputy chief of planning and research.
People will not get a full preview of the 2017 revision, Belhadjali said. A draft won’t be available for public comment until January.
Instead, staff will review how they select projects and evaluate their success, provide updates on current projects, and invite people to present their concerns and ideas for coastal restoration.
Each event will begin with an open house at 5 p.m., followed by dinner, a presentation, and group discussions.
The schedule:
Oct. 4: Buras Community Center, 36342 Highway 11
Oct. 6: Dulac Community Center, 125 Coast Guard Rd.
Oct. 12: Lake Charles Civic Center, 900 Lakeshore Dr.
Oct. 13: Larose Regional Park and Civic Center, 307 East 5th St.
Oct. 18: Lafitte Multipurpose Center, 4917 City Park Dr.
Oct. 19: Dillard University Professional Schools Building (PSB), 2601 Gentilly Blvd.