Garret Graves, Louisiana's coastal protection czar, contends that scientists behind a shockingly gloomy federal report are "just misinformed.” He said the state's master plan allows for adaptation as conditions change.
New technology has revealed that southeast Louisiana is sinking faster than previously known. Combined with rising seas due to global warming, a leading scientist says waters will rise "at least four feet." With more communities closer to open water, even minor hurricanes could cause catastrophic damage.
The agency responsible for maintaining the multibillion-dollar flood protection system can't afford the $34 million annual bill, and possible solutions are blocked by state and congressional politics. “We’ll soon be facing a $600 million question," says John Barry, vice president of the South Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-East.
Van Heerden credits a column by The Lens' Jed Horne with helping to push LSU to settle.
LSU tried to discredit Ivor van Heerden and then fired him for speaking out about the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' failures with the levees in New Orleans. Now the university is fighting his wrongful termination lawsuit.
Up to $6 billion of BP's fines for the oil spill was supposed to be spent on ecosystem recovery. A behind-the-scenes drama unfolded when new guidelines added "economic recovery" to the approved purposes.
