An independent levee board, a post-Katrina reform believed crucial to the city’s future, has fallen prey to Gov. Jindal’s opposition to a lawsuit against Big Oil.
Author Archives: Bob Marshall
From 2013 to 2017, Bob Marshall covered environmental issues for The Lens, with a special focus on coastal restoration and wetlands. While at The Times-Picayune, his work chronicling the people, stories and issues of Louisiana
Posted inEnvironment
Amount of BP fines to fund Louisiana’s coastal restoration still a promise, not a certainty
Last week, the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council approved a plan to spend fines levied on BP for the 2010 spill. So far, however, there’s little money in the fund. And even if BP ends up paying close to its maximum penalty of $17.1 billion, it’s unclear how much will go to Louisiana.
Posted inEnvironment
State officials, flood authority continue their very public spat over oil, gas lawsuit
Attorney General fires off press release, and coastal chief flames attorney on Twitter.
Posted inEnvironment
Levee board, Jindal administration remain at odds over lawsuit after hints of reconciliation
An “olive branch” extended by the levee authority has turned to ashes.
Posted inEnvironment
Documents describe fees, hiring of private attorneys for coastal loss lawsuit
The Jindal administration has contended that a local levee authority acted improperly in suing oil and gas companies.
Posted inEnvironment
Key disagreements remain between levee board, Jindal administration over coastal loss lawsuit
A local levee authority has offered to hold off on some of its lawsuit against oil and gas companies if the state can get the industry to discuss voluntarily paying for damage. But the comments by the Flood Protection Authority and the Jindal administration don’t signal much movement on their key disagreement.
Posted inEnvironment
This is not a test: Army Corps to close ‘barge gate,’ a key surge barrier
With tropical wave threatening the Gulf, early storm protection is activated — but not whole system.
Posted inEnvironment
Lawmakers criticize Flood Protection Authority for suing oil and gas companies
They questioned why the board acted alone and and suggested that it’s acting outside of its legal authority.
Posted inEnvironment
Live blog Wednesday: Flood Protection Authority appears before legislators
Legislators have said they want to hear why the Flood Protection Authority filed its suit against oil and gas companies. The lawsuit partly blames companies for coastal loss and call upon them to fix the damage or help pay for increased costs of flood protection.
Posted inEnvironment
Major green groups keeping mum on flood authority lawsuit opposed by Jindal
The environmental groups have long blamed oil and gas interests for coastal devastation — as does the lawsuit.