MRGO MUST GO - BUT WILL IT? (II)

Their ad:

http://healthygulf.org/images/MRGO2.jpg


Our ad:

http://healthygulf.org/images/MRGO_cheat.JPG

So the Corps rolled out their closure 'study' yesterday in New Orleans. At a pre-rollout, stakeholder meeting earlier in the week, the Corps let us know that we'll see the same range of 'closure' options that have already been discussed (gate/closure at LaLoutre ridge, Gate at Seabrook on the Lake Pontchartrain/Inner Harbor Navigation Canal, gate on Intracoastal Waterway, another gate no MRGO).

There will be no recommendations as to which options the Corps supports, because that terrifies the Corps that they may be ahead of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The Corps gets sued over NEPA frequently, so I can understand their concerns.

The concern I continue to hold is that the absence of an actual plan flies in the face of what Congress requested. They asked for a plan that at a minimum, closed the MRGO to deep draft navigation. Congress is not going to get what they asked for. Citizens are not going to get what they have demanded - which is to be kept safe from the MRGO as soon as possible. We need action now, we need a plan now, and we need that plan to move forward ASAP. Until the MRGO n0 longer threatens our city, any rebuilding is a gamble.

At the last stakeholder meeting I learned two interesting things:
1) MRGO creates a dead zone in Lake Pontchartrain which is keeping benthic organisms like clams from growing in the robust numbers necessary to truly clear and clean up the Lake.
2) Shipping interests continue to push for deep-draft navigation in the MRGO.

Sigh.


Aaron Viles is GRN's Campaign Director