Latest news: February 28, 2012

02.28.2012 | In Latest News, Uncategorized

Amendment to restore Gulf likely to be taken up in Senate this week
By Virginia Chamlee, The Florida Independent (Tallahassee, Fla.). Feb. 27, 2012.
“Recently, the U.S. House of Representatives gave voice vote approval to an amendment that would dedicate 80 percent of the estimated $5-21 billion in Clean Water Act fines from the 2010 BP oil spill toward restoration of the area’s ecosystem and economy. The Senate version of that amendment is expected to be taken up this week…” (read more)

Dozens of dead marine mammals, turtles in Gulf this year, NOAA says
By Mark Schleifstein, The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, La.). Feb. 27, 2012.
“Reports of dozens of stranded dolphins, whales, and sea turtles in the Gulf of Mexico continue to pile up in the first two months of 2012, with federal officials tallying 48 marine mammals, mostly dolphins, and 87 sea turtles. Only a handful of marine mammal strandings were of live animals that may have been saved. None of the turtles were alive…” (read more)

BP oil spill trial delay stirs up talk of a brewing settlement
By Rebecca Mowbray, The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, La.). Feb. 27, 2012.
“Although there’s no guarantee a settlement will be reached, people who have been following the oil spill litigation say U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier wouldn’t have delayed the trial until next Monday if he didn’t think a deal was in reach to settle at least a portion of the case or possibly all of it…” (read more)

Coastal Mayors React to BP Settlement Talks
By Debbie Williams, WKRG_TV (Daphne, Ala.). Feb. 27, 2012.
“GULF SHORES, Alabama — Even as crews continue to clean up the mess made by BP on Alabama beaches, negotiations are underway on a settlement between BP and tens of thousands of people and businesses whose livelihoods were turned upside down by the biggest oil spill in U.S. history…” (read more)

Sharing a useful message
By editorial page staff, Houma Courier (Houma, La.). Feb. 27, 2012.
“When local government officials expressed their disappointment and concern over the slow pace of progress on coastal restoration and flood protection, they were saying what many have said over and over again…” (read more)