Federal judge dismisses massive coastal lawsuit

Baton Rouge, LA— Melissa, Landry, executive director of Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch, issued the following statement about U.S. District Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown’s decision to dismiss the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-East’s (SLFPA-E) lawsuit against dozens of oil and gas companies: “

Judge Brown’s decision should end debate over the meritless SLFPA-E lawsuit once and for all. In a 49-page complex opinion, Judge Brown carefully considered the arguments offered on both sides and correctly ruled that SLFPA-E was acting outside its authority in bringing these claims. 

“The flood authority was created in 2006 in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina for the purpose of ‘regional coordination of flood protection,’ not litigation. Obviously, they have strayed far from that mission, wasting precious time and taxpayer resources. 

“It is evident that this untenable legal strategy was never a plausible public policy initiative to save the coast. This futile legal battle has generated countless headlines and staggering legal fees for the lawyers, but not much else. The authority should abandon this misguided approach and get back to doing the work it was created to do.” 

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