2005 Preliminary People’s Platform I. Coast and the Environment Summary: Stress Natural Processes over Purely Structural “Solutions” - Engineering Should be Compatible with Nature Rather than Struggling to Control it Revisit~reassess pre-hurricane “priority list” of coastal restoration projects Push~support sediment pipeline transport Reevaluate all public works projects in LA in relation to coastal needs Close MRGO Comprehensive strategy to influence~reorient LA congressional delegates and the Corps of Engineers Mobilize~organize evacuees across the country and other state’s senators & representatives Educate about inherent incompatibility of Corps projects between structural solutions vs. natural processes ie. Morganza ideas vs. diversion projects & coastal restoration Making it a federal issue first Wean ourselves off of idea that levees are primary protection @ cost of wetlands As a strategy, start framing coastal restoration/conservation of wetlands as hurricane protection for New Orleans (Nationally) and expand LA message to entire coast National pressure on LA officials first, then National education, and then convince LA Congressional delegation to push “the right thing” Fully develop an economic argument for true coastal restoration Take advantage of current opportunity to organize LA communities currently out-of-state and develop a national network Develop a collective agenda, build alliances, raise funds, and then influence, educate, lobby together and win! Cap residential developments within flood plains Elevated high-speed rail connecting New Orleans with the North Shore and Baton Rouge Immediate moratorium on any further cutting of coastal forests Redistribute downed trees along the coast II. Hurricanes Comprehensive authorization & funding for coastal/wetlands restoration Mississippi River re-routed into marshes of Saint Bernard and Plaquemines parishes Complete re-assessment of failures and what is needed to rectify them Plan for a complete evacuation of New Orleans metro area including a clear hierarchy of decision making with provisions for: Post storm rescue Plans to evacuate pets and farm animals Long-term living arrangements & life (school, shelter, mail, vote) US Congress direct Corps of Engineers to design & build a levee system to withstand a Category 5 hurricane in the New Orleans Metro area Integration of levees, wetlands, building codes, setbacks, and elevations Essential public facilities need to be storm-proofed (hospitals, schools, fire, police, prisons/jail and pumping stations) Decommission and fill MRGO Category 5 hurricane protection plan for citizens that integrates lines of defense with habitat types Voluntary strategic buy-outs from willing sellers in low-lying areas Comprehensive land use planning Effective public transportation (for evacuation and post-evacuation) Increase and strengthen building codes on industrial sites with special emphasis and priority on oil and gas structures Re-assess current energy development plans in light of increased hurricane frequency and intensity ie. LNG facilities Creation of a more fortified emergency communication system capable of reaching all citizens of affected areas and independent of cell phone towers III. Re-entry Risks EPA inspection of homes (get EPA to exercise their existing authority) Establish procedures~guideance for how handlers go about tearing down a home Separate re-entry from re-occupance Create public arena to make these demands Provide protection for re-entering citizens and other people Expanding testing for termitacides Establish a massive --------campaign to ---all--of the public who should be responsible for the campaign Link awareness to economic impacts, long-term vision for chemical health Information Inform immigrant workers of the risks Decide what is needed to play into the long-term vision Establish guidelines for safe handling of sediment and sludge Explore funding resources from a wide variety of sources IV. Political Strategies A. Citizen’s watchdog group to guarantee transparency of rebuilding process Develop strategies to increase political participation Expand environmental scorecard to include agencies and appointed officials Expand CLOUP membership Canvassing~organizing to increase personal contact & education among all classes Network environmental groups with social justice groups and labor Seek environmental community representation on LRA Ensure job training~availability and economic justice for all New Orleanians V. Rebuilding Rebuild to Category 5 protection standards including affordability and a statewide code that provides for energy efficiency Demand a participatory rebuilding process and work to coordinate with New Orleans residents surveyed in other cities Central education~get involved in governmental committees Encourage development density and mixed income housing/neighborhoods Target affordability and ideological synergism in green building Develop a strong, structured, but flexible rebuilding protocol that the government could sign onto and DON’T RUSH IT! nvestigate tax structure with an eye to having oil companies help rebuild Organize cooperatives for each neighborhood whereby citizens can borrow tools, take free classes and perhaps participate in helping to build new community neighborhood centers