Latest Mississippi River Delta News: July 17, 2013
Rebuilding Louisiana’s lines of defense
By The Times-Picayune Editorial Board (New Orleans, La.). July 17, 2013.
“Reversing erosion on Louisiana’s barrier islands is integral to protecting our communities from storm surge. So, the addition of more than 1,350 acres of beaches and dunes at Scofield, Pelican and Shell islands is encouraging. ‘The reason this is so important, this is our first line of defense…'” (Read more).
Report links La. ecosystem and economy
By Amy Wold, The Advocate (Baton Rouge, La.). July 16, 2013.
“Restoring Gulf Coast ecosystems is not just good for birds, fish and other wildlife, but it’s also good for the economy, says the Environmental Defense Fund. Wildlife tourism in the five states bordering the Gulf of Mexico — from Texas to Florida — provides 2.6 million jobs…” (Read more).
Work starting on last phase of LA 1 bridge to protect vital oil port
By Bill Capo. WWLTV (New Orleans, La.). July 16, 2013.
“GOLDEN MEADOW, La. – The elevated portion of Louisiana Highway 1 carries 1,000 trucks a day to the massive oil industry supply center along the coast. “Port Fourchon services 90 percent of all the deepwater activity in the Gulf of Mexico,” said Port Fourchon…” (Read more).
Gulf Of Mexico Oil Sheens Likely Came From Deepwater Horizon Wreckage, Study Shows
By Michael Kunzelman. The Associated Press. July 16, 2013.
“NEW ORLEANS — A team of researchers has concluded that pockets of oil trapped in the wreckage of the sunken Deepwater Horizon are the likely source of oil sheens that have been spotted in the Gulf of Mexico near the site of the deadly…” (Read more).
Sinking sections of eastern New Orleans hurricane levee prompt $1.3 million repair
By Mark Schleifstein. The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, La.). July 16, 2013.
“The Army Corps of Engineers is spending $1.3 million to raise about 4,000 feet of earthen levee in easternmost New Orleans that has subsided so low it wouldn’t be able to withstand a storm surge caused by a so-called 100-year hurricane…” (Read more).
BP asks federal court to suspend claims payments during fraud investigation
By Mark Schleifstein. The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, La.). July 16, 2013.
“Attorneys for British oil giant BP asked U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier late Tuesday for a preliminary injunction to temporarily suspend payments of private economic claims until former FBI Director Louis Freeh completes an investigation of alleged fraud in the multibillion-dollar claims payment program…” (Read more).
St. Bernard Parish president discusses flood insurance maps, hurricane recovery
By Benjamin Alexander-Bloch. The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, La.). July 16, 2013.
“St. Bernard Parish President Dave Peralta on Tuesday provided a breakdown of homes that will be affected by impending flood insurance map changes. He told the Parish Council that only 5 percent of the parish’s residents will be in a worse flood insurance zone after the map changes…” (Read more).
FEMA Officials to Visit La. Communities Affected by NFIP Rate Increases
Press Release. KATC-TV (Lafayette, La.). July 16, 2013.
“WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., today announced that Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Associate Administrator David Miller, who oversees the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), will join her on August 8, 2013, to meet with Louisiana citizens…” (Read more).