Latest Mississippi River Delta News: Jan. 13, 2014

01.13.2014 | In Latest News, Uncategorized

Dying marsh on central La. coast draws scrutiny
By Amy Wold, The Advocate. Jan. 11, 2014.
“It was the mystery of 2000 for coastal researchers. Why were large swaths of coastal marsh turning brown and dying?…” (read more)

Morganza-to-the-Gulf levee system expands
By Xerxes Wilson, The Houma Courier (Houma, La.). Jan. 10, 2014.
“One year after passage of a half-cent sales tax to build flood protection in Terrebonne Parish, plans are in place to close the remaining gaps to protect Point-aux-Chenes to Dularge…” (read more)

Residents hear Corps’ coastal plan
By John Guidroz, American Press. Jan. 8, 2014.
“More than 20 residents and officials on Tuesday heard about a draft feasibility report recommending $1.5 billion in coastal restoration and protection projects for three coastal parishes in Southwest Louisiana…” (read more)

Proposals to fill in canals not gaining much traction
By Amy Wold, The Advocate. Jan. 12, 2014.
“At the heart of a lawsuit against a number of oil and gas companies filed by the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority — East levee board is the question of how much damage was caused by dredging canals through Louisiana’s coastal wetlands…” (read more)

ExxonMobil Baton Rouge $2.3M settlement tops total DEQ business fines for 2011
By Lauren McGaughy, The Times-Picayune. Jan. 10, 2014.
“ExxonMobil Corp. agreed Friday (Jan. 9) to shell out more than $2.3 million in fines and funds for environmental projects…” (read more)

ExxonMobil settlement to fund BR-area projects
By Amy Wold, The Advocate. Jan. 12, 2014.
“A $2.3 million settlement with ExxonMobil announced in August was finalized Thursday, which means money for beneficial environmental projects included in the settlement will start arriving at area organizations in about three months…” (read more)

Corps awards $7.4 million contract to Lafayette firm for Bayou Bienvenue swing bridge
By Mark Schleifstein, The Times-Picayune. Jan. 10, 2014.
“The Army Corps of Engineers has awarded a $7.4 million contract to a Lafayette construction firm to build a swing bridge at the Bayou Bienvenue sector gate…” (read more)

Officials have confidence in Jefferson’s flood-protection system
By Jeff Adelson, The Advocate. Jan. 12, 2014.
“Throughout much of southeast Louisiana, the story of Hurricane Katrina was one of collapsed floodwalls and breached levees…” (read more)

Multibillion-dollar BP private claims settlement is upheld by split U.S. 5th Circuit Court panel
By Mark Schleifstein, The Times-Picayune. Jan. 10, 2014.
“A split decision of a three-judge panel of the 5th U.S.Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday upheld a lower court decision approving a multibillion-dollar settlement…” (read more)

BP Oil-Spill Settlement Approval Upheld by Appeals Court
By Margaret Cronin Fisk and Laurel Brubaker Calkins, Associated Press. Jan. 11, 2014.
“BP’s $9.2 billion partial settlement over the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill was upheld by an appeals court…” (read more)