Latest news: September 8, 2011

Officials: Home-raisings prevented Lee flooding

WBRZ News (Baton Rouge, La.). September 7, 2011.

“HOUMA- Terrebonne Parish officials say an aggressive effort by parish government to use federal grant programs for elevation of homes is a likely reason why so few homes flooded in Terrebonne as a result of Tropical Storm Lee…”

BP’s $100 million rig worker fund expands to other oil spill recovery efforts

By David Hammer, The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, La.). September 7, 2011.

“Rig workers and other offshore laborers affected by last year’s Gulf oil spill and drilling moratorium claimed less than a quarter of BP’s $100 million grant fund, so a Louisiana foundation began the task Wednesday of distributing the money to other Gulf recovery projects. With $75 million left over, the Baton Rouge Area Foundation announced four new grants totaling $18 million from its Future of the Gulf Fund:…”

Fish kill effects, penalties must be monitored, state officials warn

By Katie Urbaszewski, The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, La.). September 7, 2011.

“State senators on the Committee on Environmental Quality on Wednesday warned state environmental officials to more closely monitor the results from the fish kill that occurred in the Pearl River in mid-August, as well as the penalties and improvements that could be faced by the paper mill that caused the kill…”

Boustany announces grant for Rabbit Island

By Theresa Schmidt, KPLC 7 News (Lake Charles, La.). September 7, 2011.

“Congressman Charles Boustany has announced a grant Calcasieu Parish is receiving to restore habitat on Rabbit Island. His office has issued the following news release…”