Latest Mississippi River Delta News: Nov. 13, 2013

Jefferson, Plaquemines parishes file wetland damage lawsuits against dozens of oil, gas, pipeline companies
By Mark Schleifstein, The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, La.). Nov. 12, 2013.
“Attorneys representing Jefferson and Plaquemines parishes have filed several lawsuits in state courts demanding that dozens of oil, gas and pipeline companies repair damage caused by dredging and other operations, and remove waste materials that were improperly disposed in wetlands, all in violation of the terms of permits allowing them to operate in each parish’s “coastal zone”…” (read more)

Study: Tar balls found in Gulf teeming with ‘flesh-eating’ bacteria
By Carol Christian, The Houston Chronicle. Nov. 12, 2013.
“The number of people contracting the warm-water bacteria that can cause illnesses ranging from tummy upsets to potentially fatal skin lesions has increased in recent years, according to federal data. Records kept by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that the number of cases of Vibriosis nearly doubled between 2008 and 2012 – rising from 588 to 1,111…” (read more)

Beach cleanup set for Nov. 23
By The Houma Courier (Houma, La.). Nov. 9, 2013.
“The Grand Isle Beach Cleanup originally scheduled for September is rescheduled for Nov. 23. The Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program is looking for volunteers for the cleanup from 8 a.m. to noon…” (read more)

Bucket Brigade: Air pollution increases at refineries in 2012
By Amy Wold, The Advocate (Baton Rouge, La.). Nov. 12, 2013.
“…However, the amount of material released last year due to those accidents was more than in 2011 with 2.3 million pounds of air pollution — a 15 percent increase over 2011 — and 12.7 million gallons of water pollution…” (read more)

Vermilion bay sweet shrimp makes debut at Lafayette, Youngsville Rouses
By KATC (Lafayette, La.). Nov. 12, 2013.
“Vermilion Bay Sweet shrimp, a local brand owned by the Port of Delcambre, made its major grocery store debut in Rouses locations in Lafayette and Youngsville November 6. As a slow shrimp season comes to a close in December, the local product fills an important gap for fishermen and consumers as shrimp globally are in short supply…” (read more)