Latest news: February 27, 2012

02.27.2012 | In Latest News, Uncategorized

As Gulf oil spill trial is delayed until March 5, BP and plaintiffs step up settlement talks
By Associated Press. Feb. 27, 2012.
“NEW ORLEANS — Nearly two years after his brother Gordon was killed in the Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion, Chris Jones had planned to drive in from Baton Rouge with other relatives to attend the start of the federal trial over the nation’s worst offshore oil disaster…” (read more)

BP Oil Spill Trial Postponed
By Matt Gutman and Seni Tienabeso, ABC News. Feb. 27, 2012
“Myrtle Grove, La. – Less than 24 hours before the environmental “trail of the century” was set to begin, the presiding judge, BP and lawyers representing a coalition of plaintiffs agreed to postpone the start a week in order to allow room for a possible settlement, which is a tricky proposition for the oil giant…” (read more)

Letters: Congress should pass Gulf Restore Act
By Judy Steckler (Partnership for Gulf Coast Land Conservation), The Advocate (Baton Rouge, La.). Feb. 27, 2012.
“We are writing on behalf of the Land Trust for Southeast Louisiana, the Trust for Public Land, the Conservation Fund, and the Partnership for Gulf Coast Land Conservation, a coalition of 25 land trusts from the Gulf Coast states. Land trusts are nonprofit organizations that work with landowners to permanently conserve forests, farms, wetlands and other natural resources…” (read more)

BP faces billions in fines as spill trial nears
By Cain Burdeau, Associated Press. Feb. 25, 2012.
“NEW ORLEANS—On the cusp of trial over the catastrophic 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, phalanxes of lawyers, executives and public officials have spent the waning days in settlement talks. Holed up in small groups inside law offices, war rooms and hotel suites in New Orleans and Washington, they are trying to put a number on what BP and its partners in the doomed Macondo well project should pay to make up for the worst offshore spill in U.S. history…” (read more)

RESTORE Gulf Coast Act is Crucial for Delta Restoration Efforts
By Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. Feb. 24, 2012.
“As BP attempts to reach a $20-25 billion settlement with the Justice Department for the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill, a group of more than 650 outdoor sporting business and organizations is urging members of Congress to move forward with the RESTORE Gulf Coast Act. Two letters were sent to Congress regarding the legislation, which would ensure that monies generated from oil spill fines reach the gulf and help restore this valuable ecosystem…” (read more)

La. coastal officials air concerns
By Kris Johnson, Houma Courier (Houma, La.). Feb. 25, 2012.
“HOUMA, La. – Presidents of coastal parishes, including Terrebonne and Lafourche, aired a list of complaints Friday about a lack of money and slow action to protect their communities from an encroaching Gulf of Mexico…” (read more)

Lower 9th Ward is making environmental strides, Sierra Club declares
By Katy Reckdahl, The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, La.). Feb. 25, 2012.
“Six years after it was enveloped by floodwaters, the Lower 9th Ward includes three urban farms and perhaps more “green” houses than any other neighborhood in the country. Alongside typical New Orleans pleas for more repaired streets and fewer blighted lots, Lower 9 residents now regularly lobby for sustainable development. They’ve also pushed to restore the long-neglected Bayou Bienvenue, which bounds the neighborhood on its Florida Avenue edge…” (read more)

Local fishers are cutting out the middle man
By Benjamin Alexander-Bloch, The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, La.). Feb. 26, 2012.
“Boat-to-fork fishing is catching on in Louisiana with more and more farmers markets sprouting up in the metro New Orleans area, and the digital arena allowing online direct marketing and immediate, instant exchange. Today there are several Lenten season options for those looking to buy fresh seafood directly from the Louisiana families who scooped it out of the Gulf…” (read more)

State could help boost fisheries
By The Advocate (Baton Rouge, La.). Feb. 26, 2012.
“SHREVEPORT — Looking around this fabled northwest Louisiana city and the always-running-red Red River and it leads to wonder just how extra good fishing could be in our Sportsman’s Paradise if we dedicated more resources to this sport…” (read more)

State budget expected to include $25 million for local levee system
By Daily Comet (Thibodaux, La.). Feb. 25, 2012.
“The Morganza-to-the-Gulf hurricane-protection project in Terrebonne Parish could be the recipient of even more support from the administration of Gov. Bobby Jindal…” (read more)