Latest Mississippi River Delta News: July 6, 2015

With BP cash, Louisiana could jump start coastal restoration: Editorial
*features MRD statement
The Times-Picayune. July 5, 2015
“Voters will choose the next governor and the new Legislature this fall. The candidates for those posts must commit to putting all these resources toward strengthening the coast. That must be the mission of all of our political leaders. The future of coastal Louisiana and everyone who lives and works here depends on spending this money the right way.” (Read More)

Coastal restoration efforts get big boost from BP settlement
*features MRD statement, Simone Maloz, ROR, & David Muth, NWF
By Amy Wold, The Advocate. July 4, 2015
“We need our leaders to make sure that every dime of this settlement is used as it is intended: to address oil spill impacts and repair long-standing ecosystem damage,” the group’s statement said. “We’re especially encouraged that the settlement will put special emphasis on restoring health to the Mississippi River Delta and its coastal wetlands.” (Read More)

BP global settlement could bring $8.7 billion for Louisiana coastal restoration
*features MRD statement
By Mark Schleifstein, The Times-Picayune. July 2, 2015
“In sharp contrast to the decades-long litigation following the Exxon Valdez spill, federal and state leaders have wasted no time in closing this case,” said a joint statement released by the Environmental Defense Fund, National Wildlife Federation, National Audubon Society, Ocean Conservancy, The Nature Conservancy, Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana and the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation. “Their swift work means meaningful restoration efforts are imminent. Their leadership, at this moment, is invaluable.” (Read More)

Environmental groups welcome early BP pay out (audio)
*features Doug Meffert, NAS
Radio New Zealand National. July 3, 2015
“Environmental groups say the 18-billion-US-dollar settlement reached for the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010 will go some way to pay for the cleanup but they need the money to come through quickly.” (Read More)

BP Agrees to Pay Largest Environment Settlement in U.S. History for Gulf Oil Spill
*features Steve Cochran, EDF
By Reynard Loki, Alternet. July 2, 2015
“No amount of money can ever undo the destruction of the Deepwater Horizon disaster,” said Steve Cochran, director of the Mississippi River Delta Program of the Environmental Defense Fund, in an email. But he also noted that because of the settlement, “we’re finally able to take steps to truly help the Gulf finally heal.” (Read More)

BP reaches $18.7 billion settlement in Gulf spill
*features Collin O’Mara, NWF
By Elana Schor & Josh Gerstein, Politico. July 2, 2015
“National Wildlife Foundation President Collin O’Mara sounded a similar note, saying in a statement that “it is essential the Gulf states and federal government ensure that every dollar in penalties and damages be used to restore this incomparable ecological treasure and economic powerhouse.” (Read More)

BP set to pay largest environmental fine in US history for Gulf oil spill
*features Fred Krupp, EDF
By Dominic Rushe, The Guardian. July 2, 2015
“No monetary award can ever undo the destruction of the Deepwater Horizon disaster. But, while we look forward to additional details, today’s agreement, the largest environmental settlement in American history, represents a significant step toward justice for the Gulf Coast ecosystems, economies and communities that were damaged by the disaster,” Fred Krupp, president of the Environmental Defense Fund, said in a statement. “More than five years later, this agreement between the five Gulf states, BP and the department of justice brings real hope for the future of the Gulf Coast.” (Read More)

BP reaches $18.7 billion settlement over deadly 2010 spill
*features David Yarnold, NAS
By Terry Wade, Reuters. July 2, 2015
“Now Gulf Coast restoration can begin in earnest. It’s time to heal the wounds that BP tore in Gulf Coast ecosystems and communities,” said David Yarnold, CEO of the National Audubon Society.” (Read More)
 
BP agrees to pay a record $18.7b for its damage to the Gulf
*features Doug Meffert, NAS
By Laurie Wiegler, Examiner. July 2, 2015
“We really need to start accelerating our investments in coastal restoration because of [the need for] storm surge protection,” he said. “The more we have, the fewer flood walls we need. These are multiple lines of defense,” Meffert explained.” (Read More)

Chat with coastal exec Kyle Graham at noon about how Louisiana will use BP settlement money
By Mark Schleifstein, The Times-Picayune. July 6, 2015
“Chat at noon Monday (July 6) with Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Executive Director Kyle Graham about how the state plans to use money from the BP settlement to pay for coastal restoration projects.” (Read More)

Macaluso: Settlement is just the beginning
The Advocate. July 5, 2015
“We must be vigilant: It’s mandatory to elect governors and legislators who will have enough backbone to stand up to the extant greed in our state. We must make sure to give the right folks among us the power to use this money wisely, and to limit the corruption we’ve seen when there has been much less money around than these billions of dollars.” (Read More)

Our Views: Let’s not squander BP settlement funds, which are much needed to help Louisiana coast
The Advocate. July 6, 2015
“Now that the spending of this money is in view, we hope that Graves and others will be among the watchdogs of the state’s financial commitment. The estimated $50 billion in long-term coastal restoration projects will need future federal support. We cannot realistically expect Congress to pay unless at the state level we are committed to proper use of the BP settlement money.” (Read More)

BP to Pay $18.7 Billion for Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill
By Campbell Robertson, John Schwartz and Richard Perez-Pena, The New York Times. July 2, 2015
“Much of the settlement money in Louisiana will go to environmental protection and restoration along the state’s ravaged and rapidly disappearing coast. The state has spent years developing a master plan for addressing environmental damage and the wetlands loss that long preceded the BP spill.” (Read More)

A milestone for the environment in the Deepwater Horizon disaster
By Editorial Board, The Washington Post. July 2, 2015
“From here, the challenge will be ensuring that federal, state and local authorities spend their money well, concentrating on the most pressing environmental problems facing the gulf.” (Read More)

The BP Oil Spill Settlement: What It Means for Louisiana (audio)
By Jesse Hardman, WWNO. July 2, 2015
“The announcement of a settlement over BP oil spill claims means that billions of dollars could come to the state of Louisiana over the next decade. Much of that money will help fund restoration projects as part of the state’s coastal master plan. WWNO’s Jesse Hardman sat down with Bethany Carl Kraft, the Director of the Gulf Restoration Program for the Ocean Conservancy to discuss the news.” (Read More)