Latest news: April 12, 2012

AP NewsBreak: Texas signs first conservation deal using money from Gulf oil spill settlement
Associated Press. April 10, 2012.
“HOUSTON — Texas is the first state to confirm a deal to spend settlement money from the Gulf oil spill for long-term coastal conservation, working with a private nonprofit to cut through red tape and buy 80 acres of prime habitat for endangered whooping cranes…” (Read more)

Report: Dolphins heavily affected by oil spill
By Claire Taylor, The Daily Advertiser (Lafayette, La.). April 11, 2012.
“As the two-year anniversary of the Deepwater Horizon/BP oil spill approaches, the National Wildlife Federation this week released a report on the health of wildlife and wetlands along the Gulf coast…” (Read more)

Nelson pushes for support of Restore Act
By Ryan Yakey, The News-Herald (Panama City, Fla.). April 11, 2012.
“PANAMA CITY — U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., was stumping though the Panhandle Wednesday lobbying for a bipartisan vote that could send up to $20 billion in funds to the Gulf Coast…” (Read more)

Natural gas pipeline ruptures, sending flames soaring in Terrebonne Parish marshes
By Rebecca Mowbray, The Times-Picayune (New Orleans). April 11, 2012.
“A natural gas pipeline ruptured in a marshy area of Terrebonne Parish on Monday, sending flames more than 100 feet into the sky and burning for nine hours, the pipeline owner and Louisiana officials said Wednesday. The fire occurred on the Texas Gas Pipeline in Ship Shoal Block 20 in Mudhole Bay near Lake Mechant. No one was hurt in the blaze…” (Read more)

Tabasco Joins Forces with America’s Wetland Foundation to Fight Coastal Erosion
By Eilleen Flemming, WWNO Radio (New Orleans). April 12, 2012.
“A leading Louisiana export is joining the effort to fight coastal erosion. Consumers around the world will be asked to help save the wetlands…” (Read more)