Author: Emily Gautreaux

Surplus Funding for Louisiana Coastal Restoration and Protection

Alongside the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) and the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards recently announced a proposal to allocate $150 million in surplus funding toward coastal restoration and protection projects, as per the governor’s office.

During the April press conference, Governor Edwards announced his proposal by saying, “at this moment, we are reaping the rewards of over a decade and a half of planning and implementation efforts. We have invested in the science and directed every available dollar toward projects that deliver real benefits to our people. Our track record of investment and implementation has allowed CPRA’s program to grow steadily into the success story it is today. The confidence we have in our coastal program has now been reaffirmed by an even larger investment from the federal government. I am now asking the Legislature to help us recover further from the devastating hurricanes of 2020 and 2021 by dedicating $150 million of state surplus to projects that will make us safer and more resilient well into the future.”

At the press conference, Col. Stephen Murphy, the commander of the USACE New Orleans District, commented on the Governor’s office’s push toward coastal restoration. Col. Murphy said, “coastal Louisiana’s importance to the Nation is underscored by the Administration and Congress’ recent investment of more than $2.6 billion under the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs acts. We look forward to our continued partnership with the State of Louisiana in delivering their commitment to support the area’s recovery and improve its resiliency to future conditions.”

The $150 in surplus funding will be allocated to fifteen total coastal projects, with $84.5 million being directed toward restoration efforts and $65 million toward hurricane and flood protection projects across 13 parishes. The many projects range from $200,000 allocated for the LSU Center for River Studies in Baton Rouge to $38 million being allocated for the design and construction of the Northwest Little Lake Marsh Creation in Lafourche Parish.

The full list, which can be viewed here, includes $30 million for construction of the Pailet and Crown Point Basin polders of the Lafitte Tidal Protection project in Jefferson Parish, $12 million for construction of the LaBranche Shoreline Protection project in St. Charles Parish, $2 million toward funding the Atchafalaya Basin Program for environmental restoration efforts and enhanced recreational opportunities, and $10 million toward the Southwest Coastal Project in Cameron, Calcasieu, and Vermilion parishes. Additionally, $5 million will be allocated toward various Vermillion Parish projects, including funding for shoreline protection and ridge restoration projects at Cheniere au Tigre as well as an increment of the North Vermilion Bay Shoreline Protection Project.

The mandate of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority is to develop, implement, and enforce a comprehensive coastal protection and restoration master plan. As per its website, the CPRA’s 2023 Coastal Master Plan “will build upon previous master plan efforts and strive to ensure that the collective effects of project investments reduce storm surge-based flood risk to communities, provide habitats to support an array of commercial and recreational activities, and support infrastructure critical to the working coast. This will be achieved by harnessing natural processes, focusing protection on key assets, and adapting to changing coastal conditions.”

As revealed by CPRA Chairman Chip Kline, the 2023 Annual Plan is the largest in CPRA history. Chairman Kline stated, “this is a pivotal moment for the coastal program. Our 2023 Annual Plan is the largest in CPRA history, with over a billion dollars allocated for construction and major investments in hurricane protection, sediment diversions, and 23 dredging projects across our coast. We are excited to see the prioritization of vital coastal restoration and protection projects in this year’s surplus funding.”

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Must Do List When Visiting Portland

Whether it’s for an outdoor adventure or to experience a vibrantly unique culture that’s all its own, it’s always rewarding to make a trip to the Pacific Northwest haven that is Portland, Oregon. Luckily, this detailed travel guide from Travel + Leisure outlines everything you need to know whenever you’re considering venturing out to the sustainable, cultured, and community-driven city.

When planning a trip to Portland, the time of year in which you travel should be at the forefront of your mind, as the city of Portland has many can’t miss events and festivities year-round. For instance, you should consider checking out the Waterfront Blues Festival, the city’s largest and longest-running music celebration every summer. Additionally, one of the biggest draws to the city is an event known as the Big Float, a massive undertaking by the city to popularize the local river. Each year, approximately 70,000 people make it out to Portland’s waterfront for a city-wide flotilla and beach party.

In general, the best time to visit the city of Portland is in the summer months, specifically from June to August, as the weather is vastly more consistent than it is at other times of the year, making it more “in tune” with the city’s outdoors-based culture. After all, you don’t want your vacation to be hampered by a weather advisory on the morning of your trip to Mount Hood or the city’s International Rose Garden, especially because the roses are in full bloom in the summer months.

If you’re making your way out to Portland, you might find that you need to book your accommodations a little bit in advance, but the city has many traditional and unique options for you to consider. One such location is the Black Elephant Hostel, which is Portland’s first hostel. Complete with sleek and decadent rooms, this rentable accommodation is ideal for those solo-travelers and those looking for an especially social atmosphere. Alternatively, if you’re in the mood to stay somewhere with an unforgettable view, you should consider the beachside escape known as the Inn by the Sea, which not only gives you a stunning view of the coast, but the rooms are warmly decorated with soft lighting, colors, and comforts.

If you want to stay in a building full of history and style, then look no further than the grand turn-of-the-century building known as The Society Hotel. This hotel was first known as The Mariners Building, a boarding home dedicated to keeping Portland’s sailors “on the straight and narrow,” but it was later renovated in 2013 while keeping its upper floors untouched, resulting in the unearthing of a Portland time capsule. Book a stay at The Society Hotel today, and see why so many cost-conscious travelers, history buffs, high-end hostelers, and young adventurers  cite this as their favorite spot in the city.

Once in Portland, you might find yourself overstimulated by the offerings of “must-try” experiences to be found around the city. Though a lot of these are valid and truthful in offering you wild adventure and unforgettable experiences, none shine a light on making a trip out to the Lan Su Chinese Garden. These gardens stand to offer you the unique chance to find respite in an often bustling city while also giving you the opportunity to celebrate Chinese culture at a Suzhou-style garden that’s found right in the heart of Portland. Stop by this garden to peruse the tea gardens that are filled with plants native to Asia, magnificently decorated patagonia, or simply a chance to breathe and find clarity on your trip.

As always, before you purchase roundtrip airline tickets or hit the open highway on your way to the Pacific Northwest, you should double-check the latest CDC and local travel recommendations to ensure safety above all.

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Proposed Revitalization of Lake Charles Region

With long-term recovery aid from the federal government on the way to the city of Lake Charles, many are looking to revitalize the storm-stricken area with projects that rebuild the community stronger and better than it was before, according to this article from The Advocate.

Mike Nodier, the head of Polaris Engineering in Lake Charles, has a plan to revitalize the city of Lake Charles and have its community bounce back from the devastating, long-lasting damages accrued by Hurricane Laura and other storms. The plan in question is Nodier’s Bayou Greenbelt Plan which would connect a sprawling series of bayous and canals in Lake Charles via a 23-mile loop with a pathway alongside it. The ground-level pathway sitting beside the looping waterway would allow for kayakers, bikers, and walkers to all enjoy recreational activities in Lake Charles, a community known for its water-facing facilities.

Although the possibility of building it could help to improve the water drainage of the flood-prone Lake Charles, Nodier’s Greenbelt Plan is just one of a few ideas being considered by local officials who would like to see the region turn a corner from a string of natural disasters. Another proposal is to revitalize and further develop the city’s lakefront, which is a plan that’s been gaining some noticeable traction in recent weeks.

Mike Nodier expressed his inception of the Bayou Greenbelt Plan after assessing the already existing landscape of the area. He said, “we have so many natural resources here that kind of center around water — one of the reasons I came here. Let’s exploit what we’ve got. Let’s make do with what we have. And so that was the genesis of this idea.”

While many plans and proposals are floating around to improve the sustainability of the city, Lake Charles and the surrounding region are still feeling “staggered” by the effects of not only Hurricane Laura, but also three other weather disasters as well as the COVID-19 pandemic. All of these successive events have weighed heavily upon rebuilding efforts that the city has started at various stages along the way.

Furthermore, it’s now known that both Hurricane Laura and Delta have had tremendous impacts on the region’s population, according to the recently-released population estimates from the United States Census Bureau. The 2021 data showed that the Lake Charles-adjacent region had some of the steepest declines in population in the nation.

In fact, when their population decreases are combined, both Calcasieu and Cameron Parishes had seen the biggest percentage decrease among metropolitan areas in the entire country. Cameron Parish’s population dropped by about 10% and fell to approximately 5,080, and Calcasieu Parish fell by a percentage of 5.3% to 205,282 people total. This news was especially devastating to Calcasieu Parish, as their communities had been growing steadily in size prior to the storms striking the area.

The greater Lake Charles region has been known for its chemical plants and energy production, which have been both beneficial in boosting the economy and detrimental in that they have polluted the water and air quality of the city. It’s because of these negative effects on the water and air quality that have motivated community leaders and city officials to emphasize quality-of-life improvements in the ongoing rebuilding process.

The director of the H.C. Drew Center for Business and Economic Analysis at McNeese State University, Dan Groft, relayed to The Advocate that the proposed projects will help to bring people back to the area and retain them in the region, thus helping the economy in turn. Groft had said, “we need to get the residents back and keep residents that are here. That will be crucial to the economic health of the region in the long-term.” Hopefully, the coming years will see the Lake Charles region bounce back in its various industries, despite the string of disasters that have stood in its way recently.

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Creamy Chicken Alfredo Recipe

Sometimes you need nothing more than a soothing plate of chicken alfredo pasta to turn a day around. Luckily, this recipe for creamy chicken pasta from RecipeTin Eats is the perfect way to ensure that you’re focused on “eating good” while not spending forever in the kitchen.

While there are many recipes for chicken pasta available to choose from, this one simply takes the lead due to its essentialness in not only the number of ingredients but also its economic use of time. The following recipe benefits from multitasking, so you will want to ensure that you’re cooking your chicken while the pasta water boils and similarly making the sauce while your pasta cooks. If timed correctly, this meal can be on the table in less than half an hour.

Ingredients:

10 oz. of fettuccine noodles

2 tablespoons of butter, seperated

2 chicken breasts, horizontally cut in half

4 oz. of bacon, cooked and crumbled

2 cloves of garlic, minced

¾ cup of parmesan cheese, finely shredded

2.5 oz. of baby spinach

3 oz. of sun-dried tomato strips (about 4)

½ cup of dry white wine

½ cup of low sodium chicken broth

1 ¼ cup of heavy cream

½ teaspoon of salt

½ teaspoon of pepper

2 oz. of parsley, for garnish

Directions:

  1. You’ll want to begin this recipe by boiling a pot of water for your fettuccine. Using approximately 4 quarts of water for every 1 pound of pasta you have, place the water into a heavy pot on the stove burner. Partially cover the pot, add a sprinkle of salt to the water, and bring the water to a boil.
  2. Once it begins to boil, remove the pot lid from the pot, and then add your 10 ounces of fettuccine to the pot after the water has come to a boil. Boil your noodles until they are al dente, and then remove them from the pot, setting them aside. Remember to scoop out a mugful of pasta cooking water for later.
  3. Take your two chicken breasts, and cut them each in half horizontally. Sprinkle both sides of all four pieces with salt and pepper. Meanwhile, melt half of your butter in a large skillet on your stove burner. Melt it over high heat. After the butter is melted, add your seasoned chicken halves to the skillet and cook them for 2 minutes on each side until they are a deep golden color. Afterward, remove your chicken from the skillet, place it onto a plate, and shred it with two forks.
  4. In preparing your alfredo sauce, turn down the heat to about medium-high, and cook the remaining garlic and butter in the same skillet that you used for the chicken. Cook these minced garlic cloves for only about 30 seconds and then add the dry white wine to the pot.
  5. Rapidly simmer the butter, garlic, and wine. Stir the contents and ensure to scrape up the brown bits off of the bottom of the pan. Once the contents are mostly evaporated, add in your chicken broth, cream, parmesan, and sun-dried tomatoes. Simmer this on medium heat for an additional 3-5 minutes, stirring leisurely until it all thickens and is reduced.
  6. You truly bring this recipe together by tossing the ingredients together. Add your 2 ½ ounces of baby spinach to the skillet alongside your cooked chicken and pasta. Toss this in the skillet for 1 ½-2 minutes on the stove until the sauce thickens and coats the pasta strands entirely. If the alfredo sauce begins to get too thick, you can thin it up with the pasta cooking water you reserved earlier.
  7. Using tongs, plate your chicken fettuccine alfredo into separate bowls or plates and sprinkle a garnish of crumbled bacon pieces and parsley. Enjoy!

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ULL Scientists Research Environmental Impacts of Hurricanes

A partnership of two researchers at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette is working within an international team of scientists to study the ecological impacts of previous hurricanes to inform how coastal ecosystems may best prepare for and respond to future storms, according to a news release from the University.

The international research team of scientists has recently published their study, “A General Pattern of Trade-Offs Between Ecosystem Resistance and Resilience to Tropical Cyclones,” in Science Advances, an academic journal that is published by the American Association for the Advancement of Science. The researchers’ findings in the study have reportedly provided insight into how our coastal ecosystems might respond to future storms, to which as anyone in the Gulf Coast region can attest, are always around the corner.

The study was co-authored by UL Lafayette’s Dr. Beth Stauffer, an associate professor of Biology, and Dr. Kelly Robinson, an assistant professor of Biology. Dr. Christopher Patrick of William & Mary’s Virginia Institute of Marine Science led the research team for the study, whose whole team was made up of 23 scientists from 11 states, Taiwan, and Puerto Rico. The team’s study is a part of the National Science Foundation’s Hurricane Ecosystem Response Synthesis (HERS), and Dr. Stauffer is a co-principal investigator for the research coordination network.

This collaborative research coordination network aims to bring together research on how an ecosystem’s long-term or more recent environmental history might influence its response to subsequent storms. In addition to this, the network will also collaborate on researching how species traits such as reproductive potential, dispersal mode and distance, and physiological tolerance might explain certain patterns of resistance and resilience.

In their research, the team used both pre-storm monitoring surveys and post-storm monitoring surveys to examine the resilience and resistance of coastal ecosystems across 26 different storms. The 26 total storms used for the research team’s data were selected among those that had made landfall in the Northern Hemisphere of Earth between the years 1985 and 2018. The researchers set out to study the effects of such a wide array of storms in order to maximize the scope of their data.

When speaking on the widening of the research’s scope in the study, UL Lafayette’s Dr. Beth Stauffer said, “most hurricane-related research is done on a single-storm, single-system basis. So studies like this one are especially powerful in bringing together the results from that diverse research and finding more general rules for how ecosystems respond to hurricanes.”

In working on their study, researchers were able to document post-storm changes related to the distribution and abundance of living things such as oysters, fishes, mangrove plants, and microbes. Outside of these living things, researchers also documented the observed changes made to various ecosystems’ biochemistry such as salinity levels, nitrogen levels, and hydrography such as depth and shoreline position.

Additionally, the researchers were able to analyze, document, and gauge storm characteristics and impacts based on critical factors like maximum wind speed and rainfall rate. They were also able to consider four types of ecosystems in total: freshwater, saltwater, terrestrial, and wetland ecosystems.

In speaking on the benefits of analyzing multiple ecosystems, ULL’s Dr. Kelly Robinson said, “cross-ecosystem analyses help us understand the resilience and vulnerability of animals and plants that ultimately support recreational and commercial activities along our coasts. This study provides an important reference point against which we can measure the impacts on coastal ecosystems from future hurricanes, which are predicted to strengthen as oceans warm due to climate change.”

When it comes to understanding hurricanes in an effort to not only anticipate their arrival but to prepare on how to respond to them after they pass, the regional expertise of two researchers from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette cannot be underestimated nor undervalued.

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Favorite Spring Travel Ideas

It’s never too early to begin planning your late spring travel; doing doesn’t just give you an exciting experience to look forward to as you make your way through the months of March and April, but planning out a May trip ahead of time allows for you to receive the most benefits possible. These benefits might come in the form of affordable pricing, luxurious accommodations, many sought-after reservations, or even once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. Supply yourself with this helpful article from Travel + Leisure for a dozen destinations you should consider traveling to this May and subsequently jumpstart your vacation today!

New River Gorge National Park & Preserve, West Virginia

America is home to a new national park that has quite honestly taken the nation by storm. West Virginia’s New River Gorge National Park & Preserve was only just designated as the United States’s 63rd National Park in December of 2020. Though, just because this is West Virginia’s first-ever national park, locals and tourists alike can attest that thisAppalachian wonderland has always been a special place for those seeking unbelievable sights of natural life, picturesque vistas, and traces of human history.

May is the perfect time to visit this park because the temperatures are usually perfect for an extended time spent out of doors. Ideally, if you plan your trip to be held somewhere before schools let out for summer, you’ll be able to enjoy many of the national park’s trails and overlooks in private. While inside the park, you’ll be able to take in the iconic New River Gorge as you take part in the hiking trails, fishing spots, mountain climbing, and scenic driving that is offered throughout the year. Venture out to West Virginia and experience the over 70,000 acres of land alongside the unforgettable New River this May!

Greenville, South Carolina

May is often called the favorite month among travelers because this month is the time of year that often provides manageable and gorgeous weather. Both work in tandem, allowing you to see some of the most flower-spread (a must during spring travel), unforgettable destinations in the Southern United States without breaking too much of a sweat. One city that stands as the absolute pinnacle of old-school southern charm and hospitality while also being a trendsetter on the cusp of new architectural marvels is the destination of Greenville, South Carolina.

Greenville is quite well-known for its up-and-coming, bustling art scene that is vibrantly present throughout its iconic downtown district as well as the quaint Main Street stretch of the town. Visitors and residents alike often boast about the bike-friendly attitude that prevails in this town, and it’s for good reason. The parks, street art installations, sculptures, and decadent storefronts that are sprinkled throughout the town benefit from seeing them with your own eyes and not behind the windshield of a car. If you’re looking for a key time in May to make your way to Greenville, then look no further than the city’s annual Mother’s Day celebration weekend called Artisphere. This event is a chance for over a hundred pop-up galleries and live demonstrations from street performers, musicians, glass blowers, and chalk artists to truly show the public the impressive extent of their many artistic talents.

Outside of the two listed above, Travel + Leisure recommends the following locations that benefit from a visit for spring travel. Be sure to check out the astounding sights and unforgettable experiences of Amalfi Coast, Italy; Cashiers, North Carolina; Greater Zion, Utah; Madeira, Portugal; Oceanside, California; San Antonio, Texas; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Willamette Valley, Oregon; Williamsburg, Virginia; and Yosemite National Park, California

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