Latest Mississippi River Delta news: Aug. 2, 2013
Sen. John McCain criticizes Halliburton’s ‘paltry’ fine in Gulf oil spill plea deal
By Manuel Torres, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune. Aug. 1, 2013.
“U.S. Sen. John McCain is lambasting the Justice Department for proposing a “paltry” $200,000 fine for oilfield giant Halliburton Energy Services, which is admitting it destroyed evidence after the BP Deepwater Horizon disaster…” (read more)
Gov. Bobby Jindal’s top coastal official also raises questions about Halliburton plea deal in Gulf oil spill
By Manuel Torres, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune. Aug. 1, 2013.
“Gov. Bobby Jindal’s top coastal restoration official Thursday raised questions about the $200,000 fine proposed for oil-field giant Halliburton Energy Services, just hours after U.S. Sen. John McCain said the “paltry” fine wouldn’t deter destruction of evidence, which is the offense Halliburton is expected to admit in court next month…” (read more)
Jindal looks for ways to intervene in levee lawsuit
By Jeff Adelson, The (Baton Rouge) Advocate. Aug. 1, 2013.
“Gov. Bobby Jindal’s administration is looking for ways to block a lawsuit accusing oil and gas companies of raising the risk of catastrophic flooding in New Orleans by destroying the wetlands in southeast Louisiana…” (read more)
Oil and gas industry has Louisiana’s best interests at heart
By Chris John, Contributing Op-Ed columnist. The Times-Picayune (New Orleans). Aug. 1, 2013.
“The Louisiana oil and gas industry has been on what seems like a remarkable streak lately. Every day, industry reaches new frontiers in areas never thought imaginable because of technological advancements, and it seems like a new economic development project in the manufacturing sector is a regular headline in our state…” (read more)
No easy task to prepare flood protection system if hurricane approaches
By Bob Marshall, The Lens (New Orleans). Aug. 1, 2013.
“As the heart of hurricane season approaches, residents protected by the new Hurricane and Storm Damage Risk Reduction System can be excused for feeling a little confident. After all, last year while Hurricane Isaac dealt pain and suffering to communities outside the system, those inside endured only power outages and some downed trees…” (read more)
Oil spill deal is being used to enrich plaintiffs’ lawyers
By BP Vice President Geoff Morrell, Contributing Op-Ed columnist. The Times-Picayune (New Orleans). Aug. 1, 2013.
“Plaintiffs’ lawyers have attacked BP for identifying grave problems with the administration of a settlement we reached with them last year that was supposed to compensate people and businesses that suffered actual losses as a result of the Deepwater Horizon accident. We offer the following facts in response to the plaintiffs’ lawyers’ attacks so Louisianians can make an informed judgment about the settlement and whether it’s really compensating the intended beneficiaries…” (read more)
LDWF commission sets 2013-2014 Louisiana oyster seasons
By Melissa Canone, KATC. Aug. 1, 2013.
“Today, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission set the 2013/2014 oyster seasons based on the annual oyster stock assessment provided by Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries biologists and comments received from members of the public, including the oyster industry…” (read more)
Congressman Urges Coastal Restoration Projects
By DredgingToday.com. Aug. 2, 2013.
“Congressman Charles W. Boustany, Jr., M.D., (R-South Louisiana) issued the following statement after spending the day focusing on wetlands and coastal restoration projects in Vermilion Parish:..” (read more)
Jefferson Parish to build 17 islands to protect Lake Pontchartrain marshes
By Adriane Quinlan, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune. Aug. 1, 2013.
“The latest tool to protect and restore the marshes around Lake Pontchartrain is an island — 17 of them, actually, tiny ones made of plastic and planted with grass. They’ll be towed into the water at Bucktown, where the hope is that they will help attract fish, crabs, birds and other wildlife…” (read more)
Rep. Scalise questions historic levee authority suit against oil and pipeline firms
By Bruce Alpert, NOLA.com | Times-Picayune. July 31, 2013.
“WASHINGTON – The Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-East is getting push back from a Republican Louisiana House member for its lawsuit demanding that 97 oil, gas and pipeline companies restore damages to wetlands that make coastal areas vulnerable to flooding…” (read more)
Tab Benoit still jamming — and talking wetlands
By Andre Salvail, Aspen Times. July 31, 2013.
“You can ask Tab Benoit the obvious questions, and he’ll answer them, respectfully and honestly, all while seeming as though he’d rather be discussing something else…” (read more)