News From the Delta
May 18, 2012
Sen. Richard Shelby to be recognized by National Wildlife Federation
By Mary Orndorff, The Press-Register (Mobile, Ala.). May 17, 2012.
"WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby, normally not a favorite of environmental organizations, will accept an award tonight from the National Wildlife Federation for his work on the RESTORE Act, which would direct the fines from the 2010 oil spill to coastal restoration and economic development projects along the Gulf of Mexico…" (Read more)
Scientists still busy with NRDA process
By Steve Phillips, WLOX-TV. May 17, 2012.
"OCEAN SPRINGS, MS (WLOX) – It's the legal process that will determine the damages caused by the BP oil spill. The Natural Resource Damage Assessment will also outline the restoration that's required to make things right…" (Read more)
CRCL planting 40,000 plants to restore wetlands
By Erin Steuber, KATC-TV (Lafayette, La.). May 17, 2012.
"By the end of the week, tens of thousands of plants will be planted to help protect the coast…" (Read more)
Latest Releases
86% of Louisiana Voters Support Adoption of 2012 Coastal Master Plan
"(Baton Rouge, La.—April 3, 2012) Eighty-six percent of Louisiana voters say they want their legislators to approve the state’s 2012 Coastal Master Plan, according to a new poll released today. The plan lays out a 50-year vision for protecting and restoring the coast, including increased hurricane risk reduction for coastal communities and reconnecting the Mississippi River with disappearing coastal wetlands. Overwhelming majorities of the voters surveyed in the poll believe the state’s coastal areas and wetlands are important to the state’s future and express optimism that the coast can be restored, despite decades of decline."
Gulf ads thank gulf senators for passing gulf restoration amendment
"(Washington, D.C.—March 23, 2012) Five Gulf state newspapers will run full-page color ads starting today thanking the nine Gulf senators who recently voted in favor of legislation to dedicate 80 percent of the Clean Water Act fines from the parties responsible for the Gulf oil spill to restoring the Gulf ecosystem and economy."
Groups hail Senate passage of transportation bill with gulf restoration amendment
"(Washington, D.C.—March 14, 2012) A coalition of six Gulf Coast restoration advocacy groups praised the Senate today for passing the Surface Transportation bill with an amendment that would dedicate 80 percent of the Clean Water Act fines from BP and the other parties responsible for the Gulf oil spill to restoring the Gulf Coast. The current transportation bill expires on March 31…"
Gulf groups hail Senate passage of gulf restoration amendment
March 8, 2012
"News Release (Washington, D.C.—March 8, 2012) A coalition of six Gulf Coast restoration advocacy groups praised the Senate today for its strong bipartisan approval of legislation that would dedicate 80 percent of the Clean Water Act (CWA) fines for the gulf oil disaster to restoring the gulf ecosystem and economy…"
La. 2012 Coastal Master Plan Must Be Visionary, Groups Say
January 12, 2012
"(Baton Rouge–January 12, 2012) As the state of Louisiana released its draft 2012 Coastal Master Plan Thursday, conservation groups urged state officials to ensure that the final master plan utilized the best available science to create a bold, clear vision for the future of Louisiana's wetlands and communities.."
Groups praise quick release of Gulf oil spill restoration plan
December 14, 2011.
"(Washington, D.C.—Dec. 14, 2011) Groups working on Gulf Coast restoration praised the quick release of a Draft Phase I Early Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessment today by the Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Damage Assessment Trustees…"
84% of Florida Voters Support Bill to Spend BP Fines on Gulf Restoration
December 12, 2011.
"(Tallahassee, Fla.—Dec. 12, 2011) Eighty-four percent of Florida voters and 92 percent of Panhandle voters support a bill approved by a Senate committee that would ensure the BP oil spill fines are spent on Gulf restoration, according to a new poll released today at news conferences in Tallahassee and Pensacola. The poll also showed 75 percent of Florida voters and 82 percent of Panhandle voters are more likely to support candidates who back the legislation…"
RESTORE Act Fines Could Provide Job Opportunities in Gulf Coast, 32 Other States
December 6, 2011.
"(Tallahassee, FL–December 5, 2011) The Clean Water Act penalties from last year’s BP oil disaster could kick start the launch of a long-term investment in ecosystem restoration and create jobs that would benefit at least 140 businesses with nearly 400 employee locations in 37 states, including more than 260 in the Gulf Coast and nearly 60 in Florida, according to a new Duke University study. The report–“RESTORING THE GULF COAST: New Markets for Established Firms,” funded by Environmental Defense Fund–is based on a sample of 140 firms linked to coastal restoration projects already undertaken or completed…"
Mississippi River Delta Restoration Campaign Launches New Website
November 28, 2011.
"(Washington, DC—November 28, 2011) Conservation groups today launched a new website, www.MississippiRiverDelta.org, focused on restoring one of America’s greatest natural resources, the Mississippi River Delta. The site houses scientific information, public policy analysis, cultural and historical summaries, and Delta Dispatches, a news blog about restoration efforts in the delta…"
