Scientists say one of the greatest environmental and economic disasters in the nation’s history is rushing toward a catastrophic conclusion. ProPublica and The Lens explore why it's happening and what will be lost if nothing is done.
Discuss how we reported and built an interactive showing 80 years of coastal loss in Louisiana.
Kyle Graham, head of the state's coastal restoration authority, predicted some kind of settlement, some day, with the oil and gas industry. Tulane's Mark Davis said local government needs to set the right example in how it builds roads and deals with sinking land.
Voters wanted to take the politics out of flood protection. It didn't happen.
A Tulane institute released a report Wednesday saying projects could cost more than $100 billion over 50 years.
But there's another week to apply. Gov. Bobby Jindal needs two more opponents to get the votes to scuttle the suit.
The suit itself will be on hold until this question can be resolved.
The Lens, with sponsorship from the Mississippi River Delta Coalition, will host a panel discussion on funding the Master Plan at Loyola University, Aug. 20.
Since the nine members of the Flood Protection Authority voted to sue oil and gas companies, the governor has replaced four of them. Now two seats are open, including one held by a lawsuit supporter. Depending on who gets appointed, lawsuit opponents could have the votes to kill the suit.
It could take months to resolve debate over how a new law was passed and who it applies to.
