Latest Mississippi River Delta News: April 1, 2013

Natural river diversion at ‘Mardi Gras Pass’ gains support from political, commercial interests
By Bob Marshall, The Lens (New Orleans). March 27, 2013.
“Mardi Gras Pass, which seemed destined for closure a week ago, may have caught a chance at new life…” (Read more)

Plaquemines after Hurricane Isaac: Elevation heights, escalating insurance, leave nowhere to run
By Benjamin Alexander-Bloch, The Times-Picayune (New Orleans). March 29, 2013.
“Many Plaquemines residents have no choice but to stay in flood prone areas with no flood insurance to protect the investments they have worked for all their lives…” (Read more)

Plaquemines after Hurricane Isaac: Flood regulations may spell communities’ death knell
By Benjamin Alexander-Bloch, The Times-Picayune. March 29, 2013.
“Clyde and Stella Jones are rebuilding in the tattered Braithwaite community in the wake of Hurricane Isaac, but they likely will forgo flood insurance to do so…” (Read more)

Bill to rename oyster hatchery for late advocate
By Jeremy Alford, The Houma (La.) Courier. March 26, 2013.
“BATON ROUGE — The February death of oyster magnate and seafood expert Mike Voisin of Houma will leave a noticeable void in debates over natural resources at the State Capitol this spring, but a Terrebonne Parish lawmaker is attempting to keep his name alive during the upcoming regular session and in the years to follow…” (Read more)

Louisiana whooping cranes build nest outside captivity for first time in decades
The Associated Press. March 30, 2013.
“For the first time in decades, a pair of whooping cranes in Louisiana has built a nest outside captivity. But biologists say they don’t expect eggs this year because the birds are too young…” (Read more)

What’s Behind Spike in Gulf Coast Dolphin Attacks?
Rena Silverman, National Geographic News. March 29, 2013.
“When Louisiana Fisheries and Wildlife personnel discovered a dead bottlenose dolphin near Elmer’s Island late last year, they figured it was another victim of the 2010 BPf oil spill…” (Read more)

Gulf sperm whales to be studied for endangered, threatened species status
By Marck Schleifstein, The Times-Picayune. March 29, 2013.
“The National Marine Fisheries Service on Thursday announced it has agreed to determine whether sperm whales in the Gulf of Mexico are a distinct population that should be listed as an endangered or threatened species, separate from sperm whales outside the Gulf…” (Read more)