Final Phase of BP Oil Spill Trial to Begin Next Week
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Press Statement + Interview Opportunities Available Contact: Emily Guidry Schatzel, National Wildlife Federation, 225.253.9781, schatzele@nwf.org Elizabeth Van Cleve, Environmental Defense Fund, 202.553.2543, evancleve@edf.org Lauren Bourg, National Audubon Society, 225.776.9838, lbourg@audubon.org Final Phase of BP Oil Spill Trial to Begin Next Week BP must be held fully accountable for its role in nation’s largest oil disaster (New Orleans – January 15, 2015) On Tuesday, January 20, 2015, the third and final phase of the BP oil spill civil trial will begin …
West Grand Terre Beach Nourishment & Stabilization Project
“Louisiana recently proposed five projects to be funded by the initial round of funding from the RESTORE Act. West Grand Terre Beach Nourishment & Stabilization Project is part of the larger “Barataria Pass to Sandy Point Barrier Island Restoration,” a project we believe is critical to the Louisiana coast and to the whole Gulf Coast. Here’s what we wrote to the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, in support of the West Grand Terre project:” Dear Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority members, The …
Conservation Organizations Respond to RESTORE Council Release of Gulf Coast Restoration Project Proposals
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACTS: Elizabeth Van Cleve, Environmental Defense Fund, 202.553.2543, evancleve@edf.org Emily Guidry Schatzel, National Wildlife Federation, 225.253.9781, schatzele@nwf.org Lauren Bourg, National Audubon Society, 504.264.6862, lbourg@audubon.org Conservation Organizations Respond to RESTORE Council Release of Gulf Coast Restoration Project Proposals Council should select projects that provide maximum benefit to Gulf Coast ecosystem (New Orleans—December 1, 2014) Today, the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council (Council) released its list of project and program proposals to be considered for funding with select penalty money from the 2010 …
Adapting to climate change using natural infrastructure
By Elizabeth Van Cleve, Environmental Defense Fund For half a century, the American Water Resources Association (AWRA) has been bringing together water resources professionals for information exchange, professional development and education. Hosting numerous conferences per year, AWRA recently hosted its Annual Water Resources Conference earlier this month in Washington, DC. More than 1,300 people attended the conference to hear presentations on the latest water resources topics and network with fellow professionals. The conference was also special as it was in …
New White House climate agenda focuses on natural infrastructure, climate resilience
By Elizabeth Skree, Environmental Defense Fund As part of the President’s Climate Action Plan, on Wednesday, the White House announced the release of the Climate and Natural Resources Priority Agenda. Prepared by the Council on Climate Preparedness and Resilience Climate and Natural Resources Working Group, this commitment across the Federal Government to support resilience of our natural resources is the first of its kind. The agenda identifies a suite of actions the Federal Government will take to increase the resiliency …
Conservation Groups React to Ruling that BP Grossly Negligent in 2010 Oil Disaster
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Emily Guidry Schatzel, National Wildlife Federation, 225.253.9781, schatzele@nwf.org Elizabeth Skree, Environmental Defense Fund, 202.553.2543, eskree@edf.org Erin Greeson, National Audubon Society, 503.913.8978, egreeson@audubon.org Conservation Groups React to Ruling that BP Grossly Negligent in 2010 Oil Disaster Today’s ruling a vital step toward holding BP accountable, restoring the Gulf (September 4, 2014 – New Orleans) National and local organizations working on Mississippi River Delta restoration – Environmental Defense Fund, National Wildlife Federation, National Audubon Society and the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation – released the following …
Risk and Resilience: Society of Environmental Journalists hosts annual conference this week in New Orleans
By Elizabeth Skree, Communications Manager, Environmental Defense Fund This week, along the Mississippi River at the Hilton Riverside in New Orleans, hundreds of environmental journalists, reporters and bloggers; journalism students and professors; communications professionals; and NGO and government expert presenters and panelists are gathering for the annual Society of Environmental Journalists Conference. The conference brings together environmental journalists from around the world to learn about emerging environmental issues, meet new sources and experts, learn about new tools and programs, network …
Public meetings in Louisiana to solicit feedback on RESTORE Council funding distribution
The State of Louisiana is hosting three meetings in September to increase public awareness around the funding distribution of the RESTORE Act and to request additional feedback and ideas from the public. The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council, also known as the RESTORE Council, is responsible for distributing 30% of the money directed to the Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund. Members of the public are invited to submit formal proposals for projects or programs for funding consideration, to voice support for existing projects, or …
Nine years later: Is the Gulf Coast prepared for another Katrina?
This post originally appeared on Environmental Defense Fund’s EDF Voices blog. By Estelle Robichaux, Environmental Defense Fund Nine years ago, as Hurricane Katrina gathered strength in the Gulf of Mexico, I called my grandmother and namesake to wish her happy 84th birthday – and to urge her to leave her home on Bayou Lafourche until the storm passed. It would take several more days before I heard my mother’s voice over the phone and was reassured that everyone in my family …
IPCC report examines climate change’s effects on Mississippi River Delta and strategies for adaptation
By Keenan Orfalea, Communications Intern, Environmental Defense Fund “There are risks and costs to action. But they are far less than the long range risks of comfortable inaction.” – President John F. Kennedy The Mississippi River Delta – one of the largest and most productive wetland ecosystems in North America – is teeming with life, and this rich bounty has supported the development of unique cultures and traditions, alongside industry. At the same time, Louisiana’s fragile coastal wetland ecosystems are …
Tagged Economics, ReportsThe fate and fortune of Plaquemines Parish is tied to the ability to sustain the wetlands
By Bobby Thomas, Executive Director of the Plaquemines Association of Business and Industry This month, the Restore the Mississippi River Delta campaign invited a few leaders of the Plaquemines Association of Business and Industry (PABI) on a tour of several coastal restoration projects along Barataria Bay near Myrtle Grove. Recognizing this as a valuable educational opportunity concerning a topic of utmost importance for the parish – coastal land loss – we gladly accepted. Despite being one of its greatest assets, …
Louisiana business community calls for protection of state’s Coastal Trust Fund
By Derek Brockbank, Mississippi River Delta Restoration Campaign Director Louisiana businesses have long known that a healthy coast is essential to the state’s economy. But a healthy coast means restoration, and restoration takes funding. So it’s no surprise that businesses are lining up to support House Bill 490 (HB 490) in the legislature this year, because this legislation would make sure Louisiana’s Coastal Trust Fund is used only for coastal restoration and protection, with no exceptions. Michael Hecht, President and …
Tagged EconomicsBusiness Community, Civic Associations and Coastal Parishes call for Louisiana Legislature to Protect Coastal Fund and Pass HB 490
By Derek Brockbank, Campaign Director, Mississippi River Delta Restoration Campaign More than 150 businesses, business associations, economic development groups, civic associations, tourism and outdoor recreation groups recently signed on to a letter calling for the Louisiana Legislature to pass HB 490, to protect the state’s Coastal Protection and Restoration Fund from misuse. At the same time, the 20 parish presidents that represent Louisiana’s coastal parishes sent their own letter to the leaders of the Louisiana House of Representatives and State …
Bill to Protect Louisiana’s Coastal Fund Passes House
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Elizabeth Skree, Environmental Defense Fund, 202.553.2543, eskree@edf.org Emily Guidry Schatzel, National Wildlife Federation, 225.253.9781, schatzele@nwf.org Erin Greeson, National Audubon Society, 503.913.8978, egreeson@audubon.org Bill to protect Louisiana’s Coastal Fund passes House Legislation to prevent misuse of Fund moves to Senate (May 5, 2014—Baton Rouge, LA) Today, the Louisiana House of Representatives unanimously passed House Bill 490, legislation that will protect the state’s Coastal Protection and Restoration Fund from misuse. National and local conservation organizations committed to Mississippi River Delta restoration – Environmental …
Bill to protect Louisiana’s Coastal Fund moves to House floor
Louisiana House Bill 490 passed another legislative milestone today when it passed out of the House Committee on Civil Law and Procedure. This legislation ensures that money in Louisiana’s Coastal Protection and Restoration Fund (Coastal Fund) is used for coastal restoration and protection purposes only. Next, the bill goes to the House floor for debate. HB 490 will protect Louisiana’s Coastal Fund by prohibiting it from being used as a pass-through account for purposes other than coastal protection and restoration. …