The (Baton Rouge) Advocate

With the entirely appropriate emphasis on gaining new funding for the restoration of Louisiana’s coastline, it’s still important to continue to support through federal and state money the preservation of the Atchafalaya Basin.

With the efforts of the Louisiana delegation in Congress, the basin has been designated a National Heritage Area.

An amendment by U.S. Rep. Richard Baker, R-Baton Rouge, allows the secretary of the interior to waive the state funding match and authorizes as much as $10 million over 15 years for preservation, conservation, education and cultural efforts for the area.

Baker said the House-passed bill represents “an unprecedented request” for waiver of the state match. “My concern was that as Louisiana devotes resources to recovering from last year’s hurricanes, it should not miss out” on federal assistance to preserve the basin.

We agree and hope that this language does become law with Senate approval. The 14 parishes in the basin region encompass America’s greatest river swamp and a unique cultural as well as environmental asset.

Over time, with state support and the support of landowners and philanthropists in the region, America’s investment in preserving the basin will provide additional economic benefits to Louisiana through more eco-tourism.

There are many demands on state resources in the coming years of recovery from hurricanes Katrina and Rita. But preservation of the Atchafalaya Basin also is a vital concern for the long-term benefit of the state and its people.