Latest news: February 7, 2012

Our Views: Get behind Louisiana coastal plan
Editorial, The Advocate (Baton Rouge, La.). February 7, 2012.
“The sheer size of Louisiana’s coastal crisis has, in a perverse way, limited this state’s response to one of its most pressing challenges. The problem of coastal erosion is so big, with Louisiana losing at least 16 square miles of land each year, that politicians, policymakers and the general public couldn’t seem to get their hands around the task they faced — and how to tackle it…”

Need quick action
Editorial, Battle Creek Enquirer. February 6, 2012.
“Hearings are scheduled to begin at the end of this month regarding federal charges against BP for the nearly 3-month-long oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico that devastated the economy and environment of the Gulf Coast in 2010. Experts expect the oil giant to pay billions of dollars to settle with the U.S. Department of Justice…”

Coastal restoration, protection should concern all in Southwest Louisiana
Editorial, American Press (Lake Charles, La.). February 6, 2012.
“If there’s one clear message from area residents to the agency charged with preserving and restoring Southwest Louisiana’s coast and wetlands, it’s that we’re all in this together…”

Pass Gulf restoration act before BP settlement
Editorial, Bradenton Herald.
“News reports indicate that BP is agreeable to a $20 billion to $25 billion settlement with the U.S. Justice Department on all charges connected to the 2010 massive Gulf of Mexico oil spill. That money rightfully belongs to the five Gulf states that suffered enormous economic losses and ecological damage…”

Gulf Coast Illusion
By Edward Flattau, Huffington Post. February 6, 2012.
“Not so fast, BP. The giant oil company is running TV ads trumpeting that the Gulf Coast is well on its way to recovery from the April 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill…”

Oyster hatchery could come to Terrebonne
By Nikki Buskey, Houma Courier. February 6, 2012.
“Terrebonne officials are studying the possibility of bringing a hatchery to the parish to help improve oyster-farming technology and grow shellfish bigger in less time…”

Groups: Repeal La law against TED enforcement
By Janet Mcconnaughey, Associated Press. February 6, 2012.
“NEW ORLEANS, La. — Twenty-six conservation groups say Louisiana should repeal a 24-year-old law forbidding state wildlife agents to enforce a federal law requiring trap-doors for turtles in shrimp nets…”