Latest Mississippi River Delta News: Feb. 5, 2014

Jindal coastal adviser Garret Graves resigns, effective Feb. 17
By Mark Schleifstein, The Times-Picayune. Feb. 4, 2014.
“Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Chairman Garret Graves who oversaw the expansion of the authority into an office overseeing a multi-billion-dollar Louisiana coastal restoration and hurricane levee program, has resigned his position, effective Feb. 17…” (read more)

Graves to step down from state’s coastal protection agency
By Amy Wold, The Advocate. Feb. 4, 2014.
“After six years as the leader of coastal restoration for the state of Louisiana, Garret Graves is stepping down effective Feb. 17…” (read more)

La. coastal leader leaving Jindal administration
By Associated Press. Feb. 4, 2014.
“Gov. Bobby Jindal’s coastal chief, Garret Graves, is leaving state government this month. Graves has been chairman of the state’s Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority for six years. Jindal announced Tuesday that Graves’ last day will be Feb. 17…” (read more)

Coastal authority to be headed by Houma native
By Kelly Connelly, The Houma Courier. Feb. 4, 2014.
“A Houma native will lead Louisiana’s effort to protect its coast following the unexpected announcement Tuesday of the resignation of Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Chairman Garret Graves…” (read more)

Graves Could Become Coastal Candidate in 6th District
By Jeremy Alford, LaPolitics. Feb. 5, 2014.
“Coastal lawmakers interviewed by LaPolitics say they are encouraging Garret Graves, the governor’s outgoing coastal advisor, to run for the 6th Congressional District this fall and expect him to seriously consider a bid…” (read more)

Christmas trees will soon help wetlands
By WVUE (New Orleans, La.). Feb. 4, 2014.
“If you put your tree out for recycling, chances are it will soon be put to good use…” (read more)

What the national media are saying about delaying the Biggert-Waters Act
By Bob Warren, The Times-Picayune. Feb. 3, 2014.
“Thousands of Louisiana home and business owners have been anxiously watching Washington, D.C., as members of Congress debate the merits of delaying the full implementation of the Biggert-Waters Act…” (read more)

St. Charles Parish celebrates local levee construction while fighting Biggert-Waters Act
By Littice Bacon-Blood, The Times-Picayune. Feb. 3, 2014.
“As St. Charles Parish officials celebrated the start of construction of a levee on the vulnerable west bank…” (read more)

BP’s legal bill for the Gulf oil spill disaster soars to $1bn
By Tom Bawden, The Independent. Feb. 4, 2014.
“The Gulf of Mexico oil spill has cost BP more than $1bn (£614m) in lawyers’ fees, the company revealed yesterday, as it announced a further $150m charge to cover its external legal expenses for the disaster…” (read more)

The threat of more fines is holding BP back
By The Telegraph. Jan. 4, 2014.
“Nothing good came of 2010’s Deepwater Horizon disaster that left 11 dead, oil spewing across the US Gulf…” (read more)