CPRA board moves forward with Coastal Restoration Plan 

Written By Alicia Vial

Plan includes full funding for Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion, despite a construction halt announced by the state

BATON ROUGE, La. – Today, the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) board voted to approve the Fiscal Year 2026 Annual Plan, which maintains full funding for the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion (MBSD) and other critical coastal restoration and protection projects. 

Restore the Mississippi River Delta, a coalition of national and local organizations working to restore Louisiana’s coast, issued the following statement: 

“Today’s approval of the Annual Plan is a win for Louisiana’s coast, its people and its economy. We hope this vote is an affirmation of CPRA’s commitment to its own processes and science over the last two decades – including that Louisiana will stand by the proven evidence that shows diversions work.  Louisiana should continue to invest in projects that will create thousands of acres of land, provide a regional workforce, reduce storm surge and protect communities and industries for generations to come. 

We are particularly encouraged to see the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion remain fully funded. This project has been at the heart of every Coastal Master Plan since 2007, and today’s vote should ensure that it will continue moving forward. The Mississippi River built this state, and the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion will help rebuild it. 

The Annual Plan is just a promise to invest in project implementation – now we need to see the real work continue on all of the projects included in the plan. Approval is the first step towards action, and action is what our coast desperately needs. With coastal land loss accelerating and Louisiana losing a football field of land every 100 minutes, now is the time to move forward—not backward—on projects that will restore and sustain our coast.” 

The Annual Plan, which fully funds MBSD, now moves to the state legislature for final approval.

Today’s approval of the Annual Plan comes on the heels of two new statewide polls released earlier this week, with the following key findings: 

  • 83% of voters from the southeast region support the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion to build and maintain land over time.

  • A strong 82% percent of informed Louisiana voters support using sediment diversions to build new and sustain existing wetlands in Louisiana, a figure up from 80% in 2023. Additionally, a majority of voters in the Greater New Orleans region support the completion of the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion when given background on the project.   

  • 93% of Louisiana voters approve of the state having a comprehensive plan to deal with land loss using the latest science, which Louisiana’s Coastal Master Plan does. This position has maintained supportive sentiment of Louisianians over recent years (92% approval in both 2021 and 2023).

  • Among residents in the southeast region of Louisiana, 91% describe the issue of coastal land loss in Louisiana as a major problem or a crisis.

  • Coastal Louisiana’s ability to withstand hurricane storm surge and sea level rise drives 81% of the voters’ support for sediment diversions. 

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About Restore the Mississippi River Delta:
Restore the Mississippi River Delta is working to protect people, wildlife and jobs by reconnecting the river with its wetlands. As our region faces the crisis of land loss, we offer science-based solutions through a comprehensive approach to restoration. Composed of conservation, policy, science and outreach experts from Environmental Defense Fund, National Audubon Society, the National Wildlife Federation and Pontchartrain Conservancy, we are located in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Washington, D.C.; and around the United States. Learn more at MississippiRiverDelta.org and connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.

Alicia Vial

Alicia Vial is a New Orleans native with more than a decade of experience elevating client stories and leading crisis response. As the senior director of strategy, Alicia acts as a leader within the Gambel Communications team ensuring each agency team member is positioned to deliver strategic public relations services that meet the highest standards of the industry. In addition to supporting the agency’s long-term business growth and development, she coordinates day-to-day account services and oversees strategic direction while staying abreast of best practices and industry trends to provide innovative solutions to meet client’s needs.

Before joining Gambel Communications, Alicia served as the communications director for the Louisiana SPCA, the oldest and largest animal welfare organization in Louisiana that impacts more than 74,000 animals per year. During her nearly eight-year tenure, Alicia oversaw numerous crises, served on national communication taskforces, oversaw all aspects of internal and external relations and worked alongside the development department to raise critical funding. Prior to that, she worked in the fast-paced New Orleans hospitality industry focusing on digital public relations for multiple hotels.

Alicia is a member of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL), Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF), a board member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) New Orleans Chapter and a member of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute. An accredited public relations practitioner (APR), Alicia is also certified in crisis communications, organizational leadership, content marketing and social media.

A well respected and trusted public relations practitioner, Alicia has been recognized by SPRF as a ‘Senior Practitioner of the Year’. Dubbed early on in her career as one to watch, she also received the ‘Rising Star’ award by PRAL and was profiled in St. Charles Avenue Magazine as part of their Young Bloods series. Most recently, she was recognized at PRSA’s annual Fleurish Awards and received four Awards of Excellence for her work along with the ‘Plate Spinner’ award for her efforts on the board of directors for the chapter.

An LSU graduate, Alicia received a bachelor's degree in mass communications with a concentration in public relations and minors in business administration and leadership development. She is a frequent speaker and presenter on public relations topics, most recently presenting at the Jefferson Economic Development Commission and SPRF annual conference.

When Alicia is not at work, you can find her at the ballpark with her three boys or cheering on the Tigers in Death Valley.

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