Latest Mississippi River Delta news: Jan. 20, 2016

Advocacy group continues push to use river silt to rebuild land
By Sean Ellis, Houma Courier. Jan. 19, 2016.
*features Alisha Renfro, National Wildlife Federation and Simone Maloz, Restore or Retreat
“During high-water events, such as the one being experienced, on the Mississippi River, the river contains more water and sediment than usual and experts from the Restore the Mississippi River Delta Coalition say the natural power of the rivers needs to be used to restore the coast…” (read more)

Sportsmen call for Louisiana governor to commit dollars to restoring coast
By Laurie Wiegler, examiner.com. Jan. 20, 2016.
*features Steve Bender, Vanishing Paradise and National Wildlife Federation
“Yesterday, Jan. 19, 125 Louisiana sportsmen businesses and organizations sent a letter to Louisiana’s new governor, John Bel Edwards, asking that he honor his commitment to restoring Louisiana’s coast…” (read more)

John Bel Edwards proposes sales tax hike for April 1 and other budget-fixing measures
By Julia O’Donoghue, The Times-Picayune. Jan. 19, 2016.
“Gov. John Bel Edwards is proposing to increase the state sales tax by 25 percent on April 1 — adding an extra penny to the existing 4-cent-per-dollar levy — to get the state’s immediate budget crisis under control…” (read more)

Louisiana officials monitor Bonnet Carré Spillway opening for impacts on state’s oyster industry
By Mark Leberfinger, AccuWeather.com. Jan. 20, 2016.
“Despite concerns about the impact of a rare spillway opening to alleviate Mississippi River flooding, Louisiana officials are cautiously optimistic about this season’s oyster harvest…” (read more)