Latest Mississippi River Delta News: Feb. 4, 2014

Diversions are a critical tool for reversing Louisiana land loss: Douglas J. Meffert
By Doug Meffert, Op-Ed, The Times-Picayune. Feb. 4, 2014.
“Polls indicate that most Louisianans agree that we need swift, urgent restoration to offset our state’s coastal land loss crisis…” (read more)

Group seeks help for its annual cleanup of Bayou Lafourche
By Xerxes Wilson, The Houma Courier (Houma, La.). Feb. 1, 2014.
“Some might find it disconcerting to hear of old toilets, cigarettes and underwear submerged or floating in the source of their drinking water…” (read more)

Environmental groups push for more disclosure on emissions from oil, gas operations
By Jennifer Larino, The Times-Picayune. Feb. 3, 2014.
“More than a dozen environmental groups led by the Environmental Integrity Project say a loophole in federal rules is exposing residents in Louisiana, Texas and other states…” (read more)

BP’s Deepwater Horizon bill rises by $200m as profits fall
By Terry Macalister, The Guardian. Feb. 4, 2014.
“BP has been forced to set aside an extra $200m for the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, bringing the bill so far to $42.7bn…” (read more)

Senate OKs delaying flood insurance rate hikes
By Associated Press. Jan. 31, 2014.
“Hundreds of thousands of homeowners in coastal and flood-prone areas would win protection from sharply higher federal flood insurance premiums under legislation muscled through the Senate…” (read more)

To Stop Catastrophic Flooding, the World Needs a Lot More Levees
By Jason Koebler, VICE Motherboard. Feb. 3, 2014.
“It’s time to start buildings walls. According to a new study by researchers at Germany’s Climate Forum, it’s going to be very expensive to build dike systems…” (read more)

Gov. Jindal again trying to remove east bank levee authority president
By Mark Schelifstein, The Times-Picayune. Feb. 2, 2014.
“Gov. Bobby Jindal has renewed his efforts to remove east bank levee authority President Tim Doody over the authority’s wetlands damage lawsuit against energy companies…” (read more)

New Orleans Mayor Landrieu declares 2nd-term win

By Associated Press, Feb. 2, 2014.

“Boosted by a drop in the city’s murder rate and an endorsement from President Barack Obama, New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu declared victory…” (read more)

Dardenne’s bid for governor

By Lacey Sharp, KNOE (Monroe, La.). Feb. 1, 2014.

“Edwin Edward’s big night is bringing in all kinds of political guests. One of tonight’s speakers is Lieutenant Governor Jay Dardenne, who this month announced his candidacy for governor…” (read more)

David Vitter Super PAC gains 3rd and 4th $100,000 donors
By Bruce Alpert, The Times-Picayune. Feb. 3, 2014.
“Sen. David Vitter’s Super PAC, the Fund for Louisiana’s Future, added two more $100,000 donors to the second half of 2013, according to a new report filed with the Federal Election Commission…” (read more)