Latest news: February 10, 2012

Master plan could change under public scrutiny
By Nikki Buskey, Daily Comet (Lafourche Parish, La.). Feb. 9, 2012.
“State officials say a $50 billion draft plan for coastal protection and restoration that faced harsh criticism at a meeting in Terrebonne last month can be changed based on public comment…”

Coastal projects outlined

By Jeff Zeringue, The Daily Iberian (New Iberia, La.). Feb. 9, 2012.
“Louisiana residents have until Feb. 25 to comment on the Master Plan for a Sustainable Coast, a state scientist said…”

BP’s blemished safety record is off-limits in trial, judge rules
By Mark Schleifstein, The Times-Picayune. Feb. 9, 2012.
“Plaintiffs in the lawsuit against BP over damages from the Gulf of Mexico oil spill won’t be allowed to bring up the oil giant’s spotty past safety record, including a major accident in Texas City, Texas, nor will they be allowed to use the contents of a series of reports on the causes of the Deepwater Horizon disaster, U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier ruled Thursday…”

Crawfish catch down as season starts
By Tobie Blanchard, LSU AgCenter. Feb. 9, 2012
“Durel Romaine started harvesting crawfish in December, and so far the catch has been dismal. His ponds near Kaplan, La., have been affected by drought and saltwater intrusion…”

Youth summit offers teens decision-making data
By Mike Nixon, Tri-Parish Times (Houma, La.). Feb. 10, 2012.
“Organizers of Saturday’s Wetlands Youth Summit hope the 83 participants, 47 of whom were high school students from Terrebonne, Lafourche and St. Mary parishes, took away more than a tote bag…”