CPRA chairman resigns, officials say

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) - The head of Louisiana’s state coastal program is resigning after four years in his role as director and chairman, officials confirmed on Wednesday, May 31.

According to the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA), Kyle R. “Chip” Kline Jr. will resign as director of Coastal Activities and chairman of CPRA, effective July 3, 2023.

Kline, who has been involved in the Louisiana coastal program since 2008, was appointed to his current roles in January 2019, according to officials.

Officials said CPRA Executive Director Bren Haase will take over for Kline as chairman while Deputy Director Greg Grandy will take over for Haase as executive director.

The Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority released the following news statement about Kline’s resignation:

Today, Gov. John Bel Edwards announced that Chip Kline will resign effective July 3, 2023, as director for Coastal Activities and Chairman of Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA).
Gov. Edwards has named Bren Haase to serve as chair of CPRA. Haase is currently serving as the executive director of CPRA. Current Deputy Director Greg Grandy will serve as CPRA executive director.
“Chip has overseen some of the biggest coastal restoration projects in our state’s history despite the challenges of multiple natural disasters,” said Gov. Edwards. “Few people are as knowledgeable about the needs of our coast as Chip is, but I am confident that current CPRA Executive Director Bren Haase with his extensive experience is ready to take on the role of Chairman. I want to thank Chip for his years of service to Louisiana and my administration. It has been an honor to work alongside him accomplishing projects that will endure for generations.”
“It has been the honor of my professional life to serve Gov. Edwards and the people of Louisiana,” said Kline. “I truly believe in the promise of south Louisiana, and working to restore and protect the place we call home will forever be a passion of mine. While stepping away is difficult, I do so knowing that I am leaving the State’s coastal program better than I found it, and I am leaving it in good hands. I want to thank the CPRA staff for their incredible work and the various coastal stakeholder groups for their unyielding support of CPRA’s mission.”
Kline has been involved in Louisiana coastal program since 2008 and was appointed to his current roles in January 2019. Some of CPRA’s accomplishments over the last several years include:
Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority

Kline released the following letter about his resignation:

To Louisiana’s Coastal Community,
It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as CPRA Chairman. I hold this sentiment for many reasons, but above all else, I hold it because I have been blessed with the opportunity to work alongside you to restore and protect the state we love.
I write to inform you that effective July 3rd I will be stepping down as CPRA Board Chairman and Executive Assistant to the Governor for Coastal Activities.
Over the last several years we’ve weathered unprecedented hurricane seasons and some of the fiercest storms that have ever made landfall in Louisiana. Together we’ve also grieved the loss of irreplaceable and beloved members of our coastal family.
And as challenging as those days were, we’ve also celebrated some major accomplishments together, none of which would be possible without your dedication to the mission and support of this agency.
I am proud to say that I am leaving the coastal program better than I found it, a declaration I hope my successors can also make. Louisiana and its coastal program deserve a leader who is guided by science and evidence, not by politics.
Choosing to step down is not an easy decision, but it is the right one for me at this time. However, my departure is made easier due to the fact that I am leaving the coastal program in good hands. Effective July 3, Bren Haase will be appointed CPRA Chairman, and Greg Grandy will serve as CPRA executive director. These two gentlemen have gained my complete admiration, respect, and trust.
Bren has served as CPRA’s Executive Director since 2019. Very few know more than him when it comes to Louisiana’s coastal issues and CPRA’s solutions. I am confident that he will continue the legacy of being a strong and unyielding advocate for coastal Louisiana.
Greg has served as CPRA’s Deputy Executive Director since 2019 and has a long and successful career in the coastal sector. He leads with an inspiring passion and commitment to South Louisiana, and his deep understanding of coastal issues is an asset to CPRA.
While we certainly have many, many accomplishments to be proud of, I am certain that our best days lie ahead. This moment is not the end of an era, but the beginning of a new chapter.
I am eternally grateful to you, not just for your hard work and dedication to our coast over the years, but for all the memories, laughs, and fellowship we have shared along the way.
I pray God’s blessings will always be with you and your families.
With the highest regards,
Chip Kline

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