Latest Mississippi River Delta news: Dec. 30, 2014

Lafourche Parish project part of new emphasis on private financing in coastal work
By Amy Wold, The Advocate (Baton Rouge). Dec. 30, 2014.
“Organizers of a new coastal restoration project hope to show how these kind of projects can be done swiftly and somewhat cheaply through private investment, rather than solely depending on government to lead the way…” (read more).

Landing private investors would lower public cost of coastal restoration, newspaper reports
By Mark Schleifstein, The Times-Picayune (New Orleans). Dec. 29, 2014.
“Getting private stakeholders to directly participate in efforts to restore coastal wetlands would help reduce the cost of Louisiana’s coastal master plan that now is largely based on federal and state dollars, according to a story in the Houma Courier…” (read more).

Companies dependent on lower Mississippi River want bigger role in Louisiana coastal restoration planning, better communication with planners
By Amy Wold, The Advocate (Baton Rouge). Dec. 30, 2014.
“VENICE — Until recently, companies that rely on a navigable lower Mississippi River have considered their input on coastal restoration project planning to be largely ignored despite their economic importance to the state and nation…” (read more).

Don’t dismiss dispersants in fighting oil spills, key scientists say
By Mark Schleifstein, The Times-Picayune (New Orleans). Dec. 29, 2014.
“Two scientists who tracked the movement and breakdown of oil in the Gulf of Mexico from the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill have written an opinion piece for CNN that urges the public not to dismiss the use of dispersants in future spills…” (read more).

Christmas tree recycling information for local parishes
By WWL-TV (New Orleans). Dec. 27, 2014.
“Once again this year, local parishes will collect Christmas trees to be used in shoring up Louisiana’s coastline and aiding restoration efforts. If your parish is not listed, contact your local officials for information…” (read more).