Latest Mississippi River Delta News: October 22, 2015
Compromise struck on La. 1 elevation project funding; showdown vote on coastal restoration spending avoided
*features Steve Cochran, EDF & MRD statement
By Amy Wold, The Advocate. October 21, 2015
“The resolution presented today is an example of diverse coastal interests working together cooperatively on practical solutions that can help ensure a viable future for our delta and other vital coastal areas, our communities, and the economic activities that serve the state and nation,” according to a joint statement from the foundation and coalition.” (Read More)
La. 1 bridge deal: 10% of offshore revenue OK for infrastructure
*features MRD
By Mark Schleifstein, The Times Picayune. October 21, 2015
“Environmental groups and others have opposed a proposal, backed by Gov. Bobby Jindal, to spend any BP fine money left over from coastal restoration work on La. 1. Critics say the BP fine money is intended for coastal restoration and should be spent only for that purpose.” (Read More)
Coastal agency votes against using BP restoration funds on bridge to oil port
*features MRD
By Cain Burdeau, AP, The Republic. October 21, 2015
“In the weeks leading up to Wednesday’s meeting, several national environmental groups, candidates running for governor and members of the CPRA board warned against allowing the BP funds to be used for the bridge. Environmental groups even paid for newspaper advertising to denounce the idea.” (Read More)
AP story also in:
The Washington Times
Sun Herald
San Francisco Gate
Coastal Compromise (video)
*features Steve Cochran, MRD
By John Snell, WVUE FOX 8. October 21, 2015
(See video)
Compromise reached on funding plan for La. 1 elevation
*features MRD statement
By Jacob Batte, Houma Courier. October 21, 2015
“Environmental groups and others have opposed a proposal, backed by Gov. Bobby Jindal, to spend any BP fine money left over from coastal restoration work on La. 1. Critics say the BP fine money is intended for coastal restoration and should be spent only for that purpose.” (Read More)
Historic vote moves 2 Mississippi River sediment diversions toward construction
By Mark Schliefstein, The Times Picayune. October 21, 2015
“The state Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority on Wednesday (Oct. 21) voted to allow its staff to begin engineering and design work necessary to begin building at least two major diversions of Mississippi River sediment and water to restore wetlands in the Barataria Basin and Breton Sound, possibly as early as July 2019.” (Read More)
Mississippi River diversions at the Breton and Barataria sounds win approval Wednesday from state board
By Amy Wold, The Advocate. October 21, 2015
“Planned diversion projects designed to take sediment from the Mississippi River to build marsh near the Breton and Barataria sounds won approval from a state coastal board Wednesday — a vote that means this long-desired work will finally move beyond planning.” (Read More)
Coastal protection leaders agree to ‘compromise’ on restoration, infrastructure (video)
By James Sparvero, WAFB. October 21, 2015
“Leaders said Wednesday at the Louisiana State Capitol that the new plan will pay for the bridge with offshore oil money and not at the expense of saving the state’s eroding coast. A previous plan from the Governor’s Office called for spending BP money on the project.” (Read More)
State moves forward with 2 river diversion projects (video)
By John Snell, WVUE FOX 8. October 21, 2015
“Louisiana is moving ahead with plans to divert the Mississippi River’s sediment and freshwater below New Orleans. On Wednesday, the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, a panel overseeing coastal work in south Louisiana, voted to continue work on the Mid-Barataria and Mid-Breton river diversion projects.” (Read More)
State Approves Two Mississippi River Diversions
By Tegan Wendland, WWNO. October 21, 2015
“The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority is going forward with plans to re-route parts of the Mississippi’s flow into two bays, just south of New Orleans. They say the silt and mud from the river will help create and maintain about 47,000 acres of land over the next 50 years.” (Read More)
State coastal authority Oks two diversions, but construction unlikely for three years
By Bob Marshall, The Lens. October 21, 2015
“The head of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority has long said his agency would recommend building controversial river sediment diversions only if research showed that possible gains in wetlands and storm protection was greater than any harm caused to the fishing industry.” (Read More)
Concerns Over CPRA Compromise on La 1 Continue
By Sue Lincoln, WRKF. October 22, 2015
“The proposal was approved by the CPRA without objection, although not everyone was pleased. State representative Ray Garofalo of Chalmette said, “I’m not arguing against this kumbayah moment, but at the same time I think it’s very important that I go on the record and state that I think this money should all be dedicated to coastal restoration and protection.” (Read More)
Key vote expected Wednesday on proposal to use extra coastal restoration funding on La. 1
*features MRD
By Amy Wold, The Advocate. October 20, 2015
“Coastal groups cried foul, saying the state has maintained for years that the money derived from civil penalties as a result of the Deepwater Horizon disaster would go toward projects in the state’s master plan for coastal restoration and protection even though infrastructure projects are an allowable use of the money. Coastal advocates agree that the elevation of La. 1 is critical but say funding needs to come from other sources.” (Read More)
Sediment diversions, La. 1 bridge on Wednesday coastal authority agenda
*features CRCL, MRD
By Mark Schleifstein, The Times Picayune. October 20, 2015
“Our state finally has significant funding to address coastal issues. But we will still need a national commitment and partnership with the federal government to access the tens of billions of additional dollars we do not have,” the statement said. “If we as a state choose to divert money meant for the coast to another purpose, we will demonstrate that the state of Louisiana cannot be trusted to be responsible stewards, and therefore is not worthy of a federal commitment.” (Read More)
Letters: Funds provided by the RESTORE Act should go to coastal restoration and nothing else
*features Polly Glover, CRCL executive board
By Polly Glover, The Advocate. October 20, 2015
“The politics of old in Louisiana has clearly reared its ugly head once again. The citizens of our state need to tell Jindal and the CPRA that enough is enough. Don’t divert and steal funds from our coast to fund other state projects and fill budgetary gaps. Our children will ultimately inherit our coastal crisis.” (Read More)
Our views: The elevation work on Louisiana Highway 1 is needed, but not at the expensive of coastal restoration funds
By The Advocate. October 20, 2015
“To rob coastal restoration funds for a road project would signal that the coastal money can be diverted for other public works, the candidates said. We agree that it’s a bad precedent as future governors plead for assistance on coastal restoration.” (Read More)
Water Institute of the Gulf receives $4 million to fund research for Louisiana’s Coastal Master Plan
By Ryan Broussard, BR Business Report. October 21, 2015
“Over the next year to 18 months, the Water Institute of the Gulf will begin doling out $4 million it has received from the Office of Gulf Coast Restoration to researchers helping implement the state’s Coastal Master Plan.” (Read More)