Latest Mississippi River Delta News: Oct. 17, 2013

BP’s silent disaster
By Dahr Jamail, Al Jazeera. Oct. 16, 2013.
“2010 oil spill has left a legacy of psychological and social problems among residents in the impact zone. Most people believe only those who have experienced war can know post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). But those living in the impact zone of BP’s 2010 oil spill disaster…” (read more)

Coastal restoration officials take on diversion questions
By Amy Wold, The Advocate (Baton Rouge, La.). Oct. 17, 2013.
“River diversions were at the heart of discussions Wednesday at the state Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority meeting in Baton Rouge…” (read more)

BP witnesses continue to bolster company’s low Gulf oil spill estimates
By Mark Schleifstein, The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, La.). Oct. 15, 2013.
“Three more BP expert witnesses on Tuesday delivered testimony during the federal trial over the company’s Macondo oil well blowout designed to support BP’s estimate that only 3.26 million barrels of oil were released during the 87-day spill…” (read more)

BP witnesses support company’s smaller Gulf oil spill estimate in federal trial
By Mark Schleifstein, The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, La.). Oct. 16, 2013.
“BP witnesses on Wednesday continued to buttress the company’s arguments in federal court that a significantly smaller amount of oil flowed from its Macondo well than the 5 million barrels suggested by U.S. Justice Department witnesses…” (read more)

Louisiana coastal protection officials are lobbying the Army Corps of Engineers for a longer River Parishes levee
By Mark Waller, The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, La.). Oct. 16, 2013.
“The state’s top official for coastal issues said Wednesday that an aerial tour this week of the River Parishes prompted productive talks between local officials and officials from the Army Corps of Engineers…” (read more)

Coastal lawsuit a political sideshow
By John Maginnis, The Shreveport Times (Shreveport, La.). Oct. 15, 2013.
“Next month, a federal judge will decide whether the historic, mammoth lawsuit against 97 oil companies for damage to coastal marshes will proceed in state court or be moved to U.S. District Court…” (read more)

Jindal names 3 new members to board that sued oil and gas companies
By Kevin McGill, Associated Press. Oct. 16, 2013.
“Gov. Bobby Jindal has named three new members to a New Orleans-area flood control board that filed a lawsuit against 97 oil and gas companies over damage to coastal wetlands…” (read more)

Jindal ousts member of regional levee board who led oil company suit
By Dominic Massa, WWL TV (New Orleans). Oct. 16, 2013.
“Gov. Bobby Jindal has made his selections for three positions on the regional levee authority, replacing one high-profile member on the board which drew fire from the Jindal administration for filing suit against oil and gas companies…” (read more)

Facing replacement on levee board, John Barry pledges more action on coastal loss
By Bob Marshall, The Lens (New Orleans, La.). Oct. 16, 2013.
“By now, no one would begrudge John Barry the right to lick his wounds and quietly limp out of town.
After all, as leader of the lawsuit against oil and gas companies filed in August by the local Flood Protection Authority…” (read more)

Freaky ‘Fest’: 5 things to be aware of at Rougarou Fest
By Rachel Warren, The Houma Courier (Houma, La.). Oct. 16, 2013.
“Rougarou Fest is the main fundraiser for the South Louisiana Wetlands Discovery Center, a nonprofit organization that raises awareness about the state’s disappearing coastline…” (read more)