Cindy Cutrera
CWPPRA Personal Reflections: Environmental Portraits and Oral Histories of Louisiana’s Coastal Wetlands Stakeholders
The goal of CWPPRA’s Personal Reflections Project is to capture the lives and stories of Louisiana residents who have been stewards of the wetlands and storytellers who open the door to the world of habitat protection and preservation. Each person has a unique tale, but the Louisiana wetlands have been a part of all of their lives. We invite you to learn more about these coastal caretakers. We have tried to capture our Louisiana guardians in two ways; the first with an environmental portrait and the second with an oral history.
Taylor Suir
Cindy Cutrera is a lifelong resident of Morgan City, Louisiana, born in December 1956. She is married to a man who is also a lifetime resident of the city, and together they have three daughters. Two of her daughters live in the area, while the third resides in Lafayette, Louisiana. Cutrera's family has a strong connection to the local community and the natural environment, often camping at Lake End Park and participating in local gatherings. Cutrera is deeply invested in the preservation of Louisiana's wetlands, citing their importance to her family's way of life, including fishing and hunting. She is particularly concerned about the erosion of the area and the impact of coastal restoration efforts, such as the pipe sediment delivery from the Atchafalaya River and the issues with nutria at Lake End Park. Cutrera believes in the importance of education and engagement in legislative actions that affect the coast, and she sees the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act (CWPPRA) as a crucial tool in this regard.
Scope and Content Note
The interview with Cindy Cutrera, conducted by Cole Ruckstuhl and transcribed by Taylor Suir on February 23, 2012, provides a personal perspective on the importance of Louisiana's wetlands and the efforts to preserve them. Cutrera discusses her deep connection to Morgan City, Louisiana, where she and her family have lived for generations, and the significance of the local environment to their way of life. She highlights the importance of Lake End Park as a community gathering place and a site that exemplifies the challenges and opportunities of coastal restoration. Cutrera also discusses the role of CWPPRA in stabilizing shorelines and providing education about coastal issues. She emphasizes the need for future generations to stay educated and engaged in legislative actions that affect the coast. The interview also touches on the broader implications of coastal restoration, including the role of local waterways in national transportation and commodity trade. Cutrera concludes by discussing the potential flooding issues posed by local bodies of water, such as Lake Palourde, and the measures taken by the local levee district to mitigate these risks.
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