Iberia Parish President Larry Richard recently participated in a Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection, and Restoration Act Task Force event at the Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge in Grand Chenier.

“Coastal and Wetlands protection is something we should all be not only aware of but actively participating or putting forth efforts to support activities related to the topic,” Richard said. “Our region is heavily dependent on our coastal wetlands for many reasons.”

Richard listed the following reasons:

1. Flood Protection: Coastal wetlands protect upland areas, including valuable residential and commercial property, from flooding due to sea level rise and storms.

2. Erosion Control: Coastal wetlands can prevent coastline erosion due to their ability to absorb the energy created by ocean currents which would otherwise degrade a shoreline and associated development.

3. Wildlife Food & Habitat: Coastal wetlands provide habitat for many federally threatened and endangered species, as well as species that are not endangered but provide recreational hunting and fishing opportunities, and support the estuaries of our region.

4. Commercial Fisheries: Over 50 percent of commercial fish and shellfish species in the Southeastern United States rely on coastal wetlands.

5. Water Quality: Wetlands filter chemicals and sediment out of water before it is discharged into the ocean.

“Our dependency on our coastal wetlands is sometimes taken for granted,” Richard said. “We just expect our way of life to continue and don’t realize that we are losing one of the most important resources that allow us to enjoy the life we live.”

Despite the environmental and economic importance, coastal wetlands are being lost at twice the rate they are being restored, Richard said.

“I am asking that you all become educated about this issue and that you support efforts to help stop the loss of our coastal wetlands,” Richard said. 

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Richard also announced that a new job title has been added in parish government that relates to mental health. 

“As I stated in previous reports the entire country is struggling with what I think is a crisis as it relates to mental health care,” Richard said. “We continue to experience problems associated with this issue due to a lack of facilities and services in the local area. 

“This is especially true when we speak of children. Nationally only about half of the children with a mental health illness receive treatment. The rates of unmet needs are higher amongst children with Medicaid, rural populations, communities affected by disasters and children who have chronic medical conditions.”

Richard said he was happy to announce that an effort is underway to add a Licensed Clinical Social Worker to the Iberia Parish Health Unit. This effort is being supported by the Iberia Parish Mental Health Coalition and was requested by Dr. Tina Stefanski with the Office of Public Health. 

“I support the effort and it seems that the Parish Council understands the vital importance of this type of service and voiced their support for the effort during the budget meeting,” Richard said.

“It was fitting that the conversation took place this week as Oct. 10, 2018, was Mental Health

Awareness Day. I ask that everyone please support the efforts of the Health Unit and the Iberia Parish Mental Health Coalition, and keep the families who have mental health related illness present in their lives.”

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Richard also said he was continuing to make Parish Government more transparent by providing access to financial activities. 

“In an effort to provide our citizenry with access to the financial activities of Iberia Parish Government, quarterly major fund financial reporting will be uploaded to the Parish’s website,” he said.

The information can be accessed by clicking on the Fiscal Transparency link which is located at the bottom of website’s homepage at www.iberiaparishgovernment.com. 

“It is the intention that this information will help “citizens understand how their tax dollars are being used,” he said.

“Transparency is a key component in a government’s efforts to establish and maintain trust with their constituency. In future reports I will focus on individual tax calls in an effort to help everyone understand how the money for each call is to be spent.”