Latest Mississippi River Delta News: July 28, 2015

A tempting target: Louisiana stands to gain substantial funds for coastal projects, but the governor’s new coastal director warns against diverting those funds to other uses
By Amy Wold, The Advocate. July 28, 2015
“Coastal protection and restoration must be a centerpiece of any platform for a candidate running for governor or for the legislature,” Kline said. “We need to make sure whoever is in there, the administration does not miss a beat.” (Read More)
 
Louisiana’s physical footprint could by determined over next 10 years, coastal protection chair says
By David Jacobs, BR Business Report. July 27, 2015
“Kline urged lawmakers to make sure new funds designated for coastal protection and restoration remain in the state’s coastal trust fund and are used for the intended purposes. He also urged all candidates for governor and the Legislature to make coastal protection and restoration, including finding a permanent funding stream, a “centerpiece” of their campaigns.” (Read More)

State Senate committees discuss plans for spending $8.9 billion from BP oil spill
By Mark Schleifstein, The Times-Picayune. July 27, 2015
“State senators listened Monday (July 27) to initial plans for spending $8.9 billion that Louisiana will receive in the aftermath of the BP oil spill, explained by officials with the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office and the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority.” (Read More)

BP must pay local government settlements by Aug. 26, judge rules
By Mark Schleifstein, The Times-Picayune. July 27, 2015
“BP must complete its payments by Aug. 26 to local governments that have accepted settlement terms for losses experienced as a result of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster and ensuing 87-day release of oil into the Gulf of Mexico, a federal judge ordered Monday (July 27).” (Read More)

Our Views: The BP settlement money ‘is going to bur holes in the pockets of elected bodies across Louisiana’
The Advocate. July 27, 2015
“The purists would doubtless hope that the BP money be spent entirely for coastal restoration and protection. We hope that across the state, including places like Baton Rouge far removed from direct impact of the oil spill, the money is spent for conservation purposes. But that will require pressure from the public, we suspect, to keep officials focused on the one-time nature of this windfall.” (Read More)