Latest Mississippi River Delta News: April 18, 2013

BP oil spill trial continues as demonstrators note upcoming 3-year anniversary of disaster
By Richard Thompson, The Times-Picayune (New Orleans). April 16, 2013.
“A former Transocean executive testified Tuesday (April 16) that a key piece of equipment intended to shut down BP’s Macondo oil well in an emergency would have succeeded if its automatic mode function had worked…” (Read more)

First phase of BP spill trial comes to an end
Reuters. April 17, 2013.
“(Reuters) – The first phase of a trial to determine blame for BP Plc’s 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill came to an end on Wednesday, with the judge allowing 80 days for the determination of findings and conclusions…” (Read more)

Environmental, social justice groups reflect on oil spill disaster
By Steve Phillips, WLOX. April 16, 2013.
“BILOXI, MS (WLOX) – Environmental and social justice groups held a news conference in Biloxi on Tuesday, talking about the ongoing impact of the BP oil spill that happened three years ago this week…” (Read more)

Investigators blast Congress for inadequate Gulf spill response
By Jennifer A. Dlouhy, FuelFix. April 17, 2013.
“Investigators who probed the 2010 Gulf oil spill blasted Congress on Wednesday for doing little to prevent a repeat of the disaster…” (Read more)

Louisiana coastal scientists say criticism of plans to build large sediment diversions is unfounded
By Mark Schleifstein, The Times-Picayune (New Orleans). April 17, 2013.
“Three key Louisiana coastal scientists on Wednesday rebutted growing criticism by some oyster growers and commercial fishers that state plans to build major diversions of Mississippi River sediment and freshwater to restore coastal wetlands could instead speed the disappearance of saltwater wetlands…” (Read more)

Coastal restoration bill clears first hurdle in House committee
By Lauren McGaughey, The Times-Picayune. April 15, 2013.
“The House Appropriations Committee approved a bill Monday that would require any Clean Water Act fines received from the federal government as a result of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon BP oil spill to go solely to coastal restoration and protection programs…” (Read more)

Federal judge blasts Army Corps of Engineers for failing to protect New Orleanians during Katrina
By Mark Schleifstein, The Times-Picayune. April 15, 2013.
“Industrial Canal lock-widening work did not contribute to the failure of floodwalls bordering the Lower 9th Ward during Hurricane Katrina, a federal judge ruled Friday…” (Read more)

Atchafalaya River will get more water from Mississippi River to help wildlife
By Mark Schleifstein, The Times-Picayune. April 16, 2013.
“The Army Corps of Engineers has approved a state request to increase the flow of Mississippi River water into the Atchafalaya River basin, a step designed to grow more crawfish, as well as more fish and wildlife…” (Read more)

Relief for a Parched Delta
By Henry Fountain, The New York Times. April 15, 2013.
“CUCAPÁ EL MAYOR, Mexico — Germán Muñoz looked out at the river before him and talked about the days when dolphins swam here, 60 miles from the sea…” (Read more)

U.S. needs a better disaster plan
By David R. Conrad and Edward A. Thomas for The Los Angeles Times. April 16, 2013.
“If the highest goal of fiscal reform is to reduce spending and better the lives of Americans, here’s an idea that fits the bill: Improve the way the federal government responds to the growing number of natural disasters…” (Read more)

ARCADIS Wins Two Environmental Restoration Contracts in Louisiana
Press Release. April 16, 2013.
“ARCADIS (EURONEXT: ARCAD), the leading pure play global engineering and consultancy firm, has been awarded two contracts to help restore Louisiana’s coastal wetlands. For both projects, ARCADIS US will focus on diverting valuable sediments and nutrients from the Mississippi River to start rebuilding the thousands of acres of land now being lost every year. The two projects together represent a potential capacity of 85,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) of sediment-rich Mississippi River waters to build up to 25,000 acres of wetlands over 50 years…” (Read more)