ABSTRACT

This chapter discusses the obstacles, challenges, and opportunities the Council and engaged tribal members have experienced in working toward proactive community resettlement. The Morganza Environmental Impact Statement acknowledged that leaving Isle de Jean Charles out of the proposed levee alignment and the likely induced flooding during storm events when the protection system is closed is a potential environmental justice issue. The cost-benefit analysis used to make coastal restoration decisions does not account for the distribution of costs and benefits or important social and cultural factors, such as people's identity, beliefs, traditions, livelihoods, and sacred places. The US Army Corps of Engineers hired architects for the relocation proposal with the idea of maintaining a cohesive community to be consistent with the Tribe's federal recognition process. To move forward, the tribal leaders have been vocal in high-level government discussions—and created their own governable spaces—engaging with policymakers, the media, non-profit and non-governmental organizations, practitioners, scholars, and students from around the world.