Latest Mississippi River Delta News: January 23, 2012

Research scientists hear that some remain skeptical of seafood safety in aftermath of BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill
By Mark Schleifstein, The Times-Picayune (New Orleans). January 22, 2013.
“Members of the public renewed questions about the safety of seafood in the aftermath of the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill Tuesday night during a public hearing at a gathering of scientists to discuss ongoing research about the effects of the spill…” (Read more)

BP Deepwater Horizon spill: Scientists say seafood safe, but health effects being measured
By Mark Schleifstein, The Times-Picayune. January 22, 2013.
“There continues to be no evidence that harmful levels of chemicals from the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill are in seafood, but initial study results show that former spill cleanup workers are carrying biomarkers of many chemicals contained in the oil in their bodies, and women and children along Louisiana’s coast are reporting health effects believed linked to oil…” (Read more)

BP oil spill fine dollars starting to flow toward La.
By Eric Besson, The Tri-Parish Times (Houma, La.). January 22, 2013.
“Amid negotiation with the responsible parties, state officials continue to expect “billions of dollars” in civil and criminal penalties stemming from the 2010 Macondo well blowout in the Gulf of Mexico, according to counsel for the office of the governor on coastal activities Drue Banta…” (Read more)

Bay closer to seeing RESTORE money
By Valerie Garman, The News Herald. January 20, 2013.
“PANAMA CITY BEACH — With billions of dollars already flowing and much more to come from settlements surrounding the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, environmental officials are urging a comprehensive approach toward restoration…” (Read more)

Dredgers Keep Mississippi Navigation Channel Open
Dredging Today. January 22, 2013.
“The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers deployed as many as 25 dredgers during the past nine months to maintain the Mississippi River’s navigation channel and re-open sand-choked harbors between St. Louis and the Gulf of Mexico in response to one of the nation’s most severe droughts…” (Read more)

Save Mardi Gras Pass
By Scott Eustis, Gulf Restoration Network. January 22, 2013.
“Will the Corps and the state of Louisiana starve the Delta at the whim of Oil and Gas?

In 2011, a swollen Mississippi River re-connected itself with the marshes of Bohemia, without any help from the Corps–but it forgot to ask Shaw for a permit to restore our coast…” (Read more)