Latest Mississippi River Delta News: July 12, 2013

Gov. Bobby Jindal praises construction of 3 barrier islands, while urging Congress to fund coastal restoration
By Mark Schleifstein. The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, La.). July 11, 2013.
“Gov. Bobby Jindal flew a group of parish and state officials and news reporters by helicopter to the southern edge of Plaquemines Parish on Thursday afternoon to praise state officials for the speedy construction of three barrier island restoration projects, and to demand that the federal…” (Read more).

Gulf oil spill settlement payment offers reach nearly $4B
By Harry Weber. FuelFix – The Houston Chronicle. July 11, 2013.
“As BP awaits an appeals court ruling over its challenge to the handling of its  Gulf oil spill class-action settlement, the administrator overseeing the program has offered another $400 million in payments to claimants in the last month alone, putting the total to date at nearly $4 billion…” (Read more).

Morganza report finalized
By Nikki Buskey. The Houma Courier (Houma, La.). July 11, 2013.
“The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers signed off Thursday on a final report updating Terrebonne Parish’s planned $13 billion federal levee system. Completion of the Chief’s Report wraps up a six-year detour for the federal Morganza-to-the-Gulf levee system, which was approved…” (Read more).

Go “Boots on the Ground” on Louisiana’s New Barrier Island
By Tyler Wing. WGNO (New Orleans, La.). July 11, 2013.
“Ripped to shreds by Katrina, protective barrier islands along Louisiana’s gulf coast are being rebuilt as we speak. WGNO  flys along with Governor Bobby Jindal who`s wants congress to speed up the process.  “We are here to say enough is enough,” says Governor Jindal along with parish leaders…” (Read more).

Leaner BP Blanches at Bill for Cleanup
By Clifford Krauss and Stanley Reed. The New York Times. July 11, 2013.
“HOUSTON — Three years after its disastrous oil rig accident in the Gulf of Mexico, BP has managed to strengthen its finances by divesting itself of less profitable operations, ramping up new oil production in the North Sea and Angola and reducing its exposure to volatile investments in Russia…” (Read more).

The Water Institute Of The Gulf Addressing Coastal Restoration Challenges On The Northshore
By George Bonnet. WWNO 89.9 (New Orleans, La.). July 11, 2013.
“An email sent recently to hundreds of Northshore inboxes contained a startling attachment. It was a picture of south Louisiana 80 years from now. The land loss projection map showed what could happen if the coastal erosion problem goes unchecked — the Northshore…” (Read more).