The recent change in administration in Washington has sparked a renewed sense of optimism here in Louisiana. This transition presents an opportunity to realign priorities that have, in some cases, promoted false narratives of clean air and water above the fundamental needs of human communities. We've seen the consequences of such misguided policies in California, where the prioritization of wildlife and habitat management of an endangered species, the three inch delta smelt, led to devastating water shortages during the wildfire crisis. These shortages not only compromised firefighting efforts during the Palisades fire but also resulted in loss of life and destruction of homes and communities.

This situation underscores a troubling trend: the disconnect between federal decision-makers, often ensconced within the Washington, D.C. beltway, and the realities faced by policies implemented upon Americans living thousands of miles away. Having served as the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under President Trump's first term, I witnessed firsthand the challenges posed by an incoming administration in their efforts to unravel the bureaucracy that sometimes loses sight of local needs.

It is indeed possible and attainable to achieve a balance ensuring clean air and water for both people and wildlife while fostering robust and healthy economic growth. As Secretary of Louisiana’s Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ), my commitment remains steadfast: decisions grounded in sound science, adherence to the rule of law, and the use of common sense. These principles are not mutually exclusive, despite the narrative often propagated by certain environmental groups. You can have a clean and healthy environment and growing industries and economies. In Louisiana, we exemplify this balance, thriving as a Sportsman’s Paradise while simultaneously expanding our industrial base. Under Governor Landry’s leadership, Louisiana is poised for economic growth.

One recent example of bureaucratic overreach was the unnecessary delay by the Biden Administration’s Army Corps of Engineers and the National Park Service concerning the Greenfield Wallace Grain Export Facility in St. John the Baptist Parish. This facility, selected to be located along the Mississippi River, is critical for facilitating the efficient transport of grain. The last grain elevator was constructed over 50 years ago, and the new facility would incorporate modern technologies aimed at minimizing emissions and dust.