Latest Mississippi River Delta News: January 2, 2013
Can the Corps of Engineers be forced to deliver more sediment to Louisiana by an unused provision in an existing federal law?
By Mark Schleifstein, The Times-Picayune. December 20, 2012.
“Louisiana may have found the muscle it’s been looking for to force the Army Corps of Engineers to make better use of the Mississippi River to deliver scarce sediment to the state’s coastline for rebuilding wetlands, a Tulane law professor said Thursday…” (Read more)
What’s Damaging Marshes on U.S. Coast and Why It Matters
By Kevin Dennehy, Yale Environment 360. December 26, 2012.
“For centuries now, the salt marshes along the U.S. coast have been disappearing, with some experts estimating that 70 percent have been lost, largely due to development. While in recent decades the U.S. has done a better job of protecting these ecosystems, even marshes spared from development are now succumbing to more subtle threats, from rising sea levels to invasive species…” (Read more)
Two More Early Restoration Projects Approved
Dredging Today. December 24, 2012.
“Additional early restoration projects totaling about $9 million will begin along the Gulf Coast in 2013, according to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill Natural Resource Damage Assessment trustees…” (Read more)
BP Macondo well, Deepwater Horizon wreckage videos released by Coast Guard
By Mark Schleifstein, The Times-Picayune. December 28, 2012.
“The U.S. Coast Guard has released four videos showing portions of a four-day underwater survey in mid-December of the BP Macondo well site and of wreckage of the Deepwater Horizon semisubmersible drilling rig on the floor of the Gulf of Mexico near the well…” (Read more)
Duck numbers down in Southeast Louisiana, Wildlife & Fisheries says
By Todd Masson, The Times-Picayune. December 24, 2012.
“If you think you’re seeing fewer ducks this season, it’s not your imagination. The monthly aerial survey conducted by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries shows the state is holding 23 percent fewer birds than the long-term average…” (Read more)
New Orleans residents asked to recycle Christmas trees for restoration of wetlands
The Times-Picayune. December 24, 2012.
“Mayor Mitch Landrieu recently announced that the city will continue its program of recycling Christmas trees to promote the restoration of Louisiana’s wetlands and to assist in the protection of the Louisiana coastline…” (Read more)
Wetlands center surges forward with new plan
By Nikki Buskey, The Houma (La.) Courier. December 21, 2012.
“More concentrated fundraising for a wetlands discovery center aimed at sparking youth interest in coastal science and engineering is expected early next year…” (Read more)
Corexit:: the more we know the more we regret
By Scott Eustis, Gulf Restoration Network. December 21, 2012.
“Much has been made of the unprecedented use of the dispersant Corexit in the 2010 disaster, especially the unheard-of deepsea application…” (Read more)