WASHINGTON -- Louisiana's hopes for repairing and restoring its tattered coast took a major step forward Thursday as the Bush administration approved the state's plan to use $255 million in federal money for more than 100 conservation and diversion projects, including major efforts in the New Orleans area.
Louisiana became the first of six eligible states to gain approval for the money in a 2005 energy bill that set aside $1 billion over four years from the Minerals Management Service to offset decades of damage from offshore oil and gas development.
Louisiana's share is based largely on the royalty revenue from oil and gas production off its shores, MMS spokeswoman Eileen Angelico said.
