Latest news: June 5, 2012

New $10 million for Louisiana’s coast would be a key appropriation: An editorial
The Times-Picayune (New Orleans). June 4, 2012.
“U.S. Reps. Steve Scalise and Cedric Richmond scored a victory for Louisiana’s imperiled coast Friday, successfully amending the Energy and Water Appropriations Bill to include $10 million for a restoration plan that was first authorized by Congress five years ago…” (Read more)

Legislature approves plan to use oil spill fines for coastal restoration
By Jeff Adelson, The Times-Picayune. June 4, 2012.
“BATON ROUGE — Money Louisiana receives from fines resulting from the Deepwater Horizon disaster will go directly into the state’s Coastal Protection and Restoration Fund under a bill that won final approval in the last hours of the legislative session Monday…” (Read more)

Speedier wetlands work by Army Corps of Engineers is suggested by state coastal officials
By Mark Schleifstein, The Times-Picayune. June 4, 2012.
“Louisiana coastal officials have taken the first step toward asking the Army Corps of Engineers to limit the cost and speed up the planning and construction process for the $1.4 billion Louisiana Coastal Area Ecosystem Restoration Plan, the largest federally financed coastal restoration program. The program has authorized the construction of six major projects, and planning is under way for another 11 projects that could cost billions more…” (Read more)

Water Institute advisory panel chosen
By The Advocate (Baton Rouge, La.). June 5, 2012.
“The Water Institute of the Gulf announced Monday its nine-member science and engineering advisory council, which will help shape the focus of the institute’s work…” (Read more)