All Congregations Together  Alliance for Affordable Energy  Atchafalaya Basinkeeper  Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program  Baton Rouge Audubon Society  Black Bear Conservation Committee  Citizens Against Widening the Industrial Canal  Coalition for Louisiana Progress  Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana  Gulf Restoration Network  Holy Cross Neighborhood Association  Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation  Louisiana Audubon Council  Louisiana Environmental Action Network (LEAN)  Louisiana Wildlife Federation  Mississippi River Basin Alliance  Physicians for Social Responsibility – Louisiana  Pipeline Workers of America  Sierra Club, Delta Chapter  U.S. Public Interest Research Group, Gulf States Field Office Louisiana Recovery and Restoration – Statement of Core Considerations/Principles The damage and destruction caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita have created unprecedented challenges for the citizens of Louisiana and the nation. There are critical decisions that will be made over the next few months that will determine the state’s future in profound ways. We believe that the following considerations/principles must inform that process so that Louisiana can build a sustainable future. The decision-making process must be open, inclusive, transparent, and accountable. Decision makers should seek innovative ideas from a wide variety of disciplines. Decisions about recovery and restoration must be based on the long term prosperity of south Louisiana, not just short term recovery An honest and effective hurricane and flood protection program for coastal communities and urban centers must integrate an effective levee system with marsh restoration and protection of coastal forests. Priority should be placed on comprehensive coastal restoration and hurricane and flood protection above all other public works projects. People have a right to look to their government for protection. Rebuilding after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita can be pursued without a blanket waiver of laws and rules that protect the environment, and public health. Our government at all levels must prioritize public health over speed of rebuilding. Putting public health first involves conducting comprehensive and rigorous testing, and disseminating information widely by different methods, in many languages. This priority includes providing ready access to appropriate protective measures for those working to rebuild and restore homes and businesses. Rebuilding provides a critical opportunity for community members to apply innovative ideas about design and infrastructure as they re-create their homes, businesses, and neighborhoods. Rising energy costs make it imperative to prioritize energy efficiency and renewable energy systems, as well as increased transit options. Building codes and appropriate land use must be integrated with hurricane and flood protection. Mary Fontenot Executive Director All Congregations Together Linda Stone Executive Director Alliance for Affordable Energy Dean A. Wilson Atchafalaya Basinkeeper Kerry St. Pe’ Executive Director Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program Cathy Coates President Baton Rouge Audubon Society Paul Davidson Executive Director Black Bear Conservation Committee John Koeferl President Citizens Against Widening the Industrial Canal Mara Cohen Executive Director Coalition for Louisiana Progress Mark Davis Executive Director Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana Cynthia Sarthou Executive Director Gulf Restoration Network Pam Dashiell President Holy Cross Neighborhood Association Carlton Dufrechou Executive Director Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation Charles Fryling President Louisiana Audubon Marylee Orr Executive Director Louisiana Environmental Action Network (LEAN) E. R. "Smitty" Smith, III President Louisiana Wildlife Federation Cynthia Pansing Executive Director Mississippi River Basin Alliance Johanna Congleton Director Physicians for Social Responsibility – Louisiana Rex Odom Area Coordinator Pipeline Workers of America Barbara Coman Chair Sierra Club, Delta Chapter Nora Ellertsen Gulf States Field Organizer U.S. Public Interest Research Group