Looking into the future the Pelican feeding its young from a self-induced wound in its own
breast (as depicted, mysteriously, on the state flag of Louisiana) is accepted as an
appropriate symbol of both self-sacrifice and rebirth. Through his selfless efforts, man is
raised from the slavery of ignorance to the condition of freedom conferred by wisdom.
Given the current state of affairs in Louisiana, one hopes that the understanding of the Pelican
as a symbol shall point the way towards a new consciousness of ourselves as a whole, and lead us
to face our futures with strength, grace, wisdom and faith, to learn from our mistakes and carry
our successes and zest for living to future generations.
Mississippi River Gulf Outlet(MRGO), Land Loss, & the Threat of Hurricanes
The 1998 tropical storm season caused extensive damage to the barrier islands that form a natural hurricane barrier for southeastern Louisiana. This year’s storms destroyed over 50 percent of the Chandeleur Island chain. Due to this land loss, and the continuing wetlands destruction caused by the
Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MRGO), over 100,000 residents of southeast Louisiana are now more vulnerable to tropical storms than at any time in history.
DID YOU KNOW?
- The MRGO has destroyed over 5,000 acres of wetlands (now 27,000 acres as of April 2006), wetlands that were a natural hurricane buffers and a home to valuable wildlife resources.
- The shoreline erosion and wetland loss along MRGO ship traffic have become so serious that seasonal east winds cause flooding in lower St. Bernard Parish.
- Less than two ships a day use the MRGO; in the past three years, American taxpayers have spent over $80 million to keep the MRGO open; that’s over $35,000 per ship!
- The MRGO is obsolete; ship traffic will continue to decline, as container shops grow larger. It’s time to phase it out!
- If wetland destruction and loss continue at the current rates, and tropical storms to continue to batter our coasts, closing the MRGO could become cost-prohibitive, perhaps, even IMPOSSIBLE.
IT’S TIME TO ACT!
LIVES DEPEND ON IT!
MRGO Open Meeting Held at the University of New Orleans - June 1, 2003
Friday June 6, 2003
Thomas Byrne writes:
Presently, there are pending environmental and legislative issues related to Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MRGO), which is the short cut from the Gulf of Mexico to the industrial canal. The outlet opened in the 1960’s, was originally 500 feet wide but now has expanded to one-half mile in some places, permitting salt water to intrude into interior marshes.
On June 1, 2003 and open meeting was held at UNO among local residents, the Army Corps of Engineers and the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources. As reported in the Times-Picayune on June 2, 2003 the meeting addressed the federal and state plan(s) for restoring the states coastal wetlands and shoreline.
As reported, the Corps have been working for five years on a study, hopefully to be completed this fall, to be determined if the MRGO will be closed. No details about this plan were given. Until then the outlet remains open to deepwater ships despite the environmental damage. Apparently, the Corps will determine if its closure is in the national interest.
A decision on closing the MRGO is not part of Louisiana Coastal Area study because the Corps says the closure determination is being considered separately. Attendees opined that closing the outlet should be included in the coastal study that is to be presented to Congress next spring as part of the 2004 Water Resource Development Act. The study examines alternatives including reduction in the outlet’s depth to about 15 feet. Hurricane models that address water being pushed up the outlet and over the levees in St. Bernard and Orleans Parishes are included. Closing the outlet was part of the Coast 2050 Plan on which the Louisiana Coastal Area study is based. Accordingly, the issue seemingly should be addressed in consideration of the Louisiana Coastal Area study.
After the meeting, Lt. Col. Peter Rowan of the Corp said that work on the closure issue is ahead of the coastal study and that a final decision this fall will lead to congressional action and appropriation.
If you have any questions you can email Thomas J. Byrne at mailto:tbymelaw@msn.com
Related stories:
- Class-Action Suit Seeks MR-GO's End
- Letter to Mitch Landrieu RE: Closure of MRGO
- Bernard Blames MR-GO for Flood
- Katrina May Mean Mr-Go Has to Go
- Mississippi River Gulf Outlet Unlikely to Close
- MRGO, The Washout
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