America's Wetland Foundation

The WETLAND Weekly

By: America's WETLAND Foundation | 6.7.2012

In The News...

Forum starts conversation on managing Mississippi
By Amy Wold, The Advocate, June 2, 2012

NEW ORLEANS - The Mississippi River needs to be managed differently if it's going to continue to meet the nation's needs, according to speakers at The Big River Works Leadership Forum on Thursday. Read More

New Orleans; region face greater threat from future storms, studies warn
By John Snell, WVUE, June 2, 2012

Since the early 1980's, Matherne's company has offered air boat tours in the fresh water marsh southwest of New Orleans, treating tourists to both a thrilling ride and a chilling lesson about coastal erosion. "If you didn't know what it looked like 30 years ago, it's completely different now," Matherne said. Read More

No time to waste: for the Gulf Coast, the storm is already here
By Randy Davis, Special to the Press-Register, June 1, 2012

Every spring, prior to the June 1 opening of hurricane season, experts predict the number and strength of storms to come. But for Gulf Coast residents, the storm is already here. Read More

Wetlands group focusing on Mississippi River
By Eileen Fleming, WWNO, June 1, 2012

After more than a decade of coordinating coastal concerns of five Gulf states, the America's Wetland Foundation is looking north. The group will be heading as far north as Minnesota to study how best to use the Mississippi River that feeds the Delta. Read More

Louisiana hires advisor to help critique hurricane models
By Rebecca Mowbray, Times-Picayune, May 31, 2012

With a new generation of hurricane computer models making it easier for insurance companies to make arguments to raise rates, Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon said he has put the woman who is considered the founder of the computer modeling world on retainer to help Louisiana poke holes in insurer's arguments. Read More

Commissioners debate regional solution to Gulf Coast insurance woes
By Rebecca Mowbray, Times-Picayune, May 31, 2012

A regional solution to the Gulf Coast's insurance woes is not as easy as it sounds, Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon and Mississippi Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney told leaders gathered for a forum on America's energy coast Wednesday. Valsin Marmillion, managing director of the America's Wetland Foundation, the organizer of the two-day event at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans, called the high price of insurance "the biggest issue for the economy of the region," and asked the commissioners whether Gulf Coast states could band together create a larger territory so that companies could spread risk more easily. Read More

Dire consequences if coastal restoration is delayed: an editorial
By Editorial Staff, Times-Picayune, May 31, 2012

Scientists and public officials in Louisiana and other parts of the Gulf Coast have been sounding the alarm about coastal erosion for decades, urging Congress to dedicate the tens of billions of dollars needed to restore and protect Louisiana's wetlands. Read More

Entergy report: Orleans, Jefferson environmental losses could double
By David Hammer, Times-Picayune, May 30, 2012

If nothing is done, annual storm losses in Orleans and Jefferson parishes could double by 2030, according to a new report from Entergy. The report estimates that the two parishes now face $878 million in economic losses a year because of storm surge, subsidence and land use expansion and development. By 2030, the losses could balloon to more than $1.5 billion a year in 2010 dollars, if the area experiences the worst-case sea-level rise and climate change. Read More

Report shows storm damage could cost Orleans and JP $1.5 billion by 2030
By Maya Rodriguez, WWL-TV, May 29, 2012

NEW ORLEANS-- With the start of the 2012 hurricane season in sight, leaders from communities across the Gulf coast are gathering in New Orleans this week and planning for the worst in the coming years. "We're trying to raise the specter of how vulnerable communities are and what they're going to do to be resilient," said Val Marmillion, managing director of America's Wetland Foundation. Read More

The America's WETLAND Foundation manages the largest, most comprehensive public education campaign in Louisiana's history, raising public awareness of the impact of Louisiana's wetland loss on the state, nation and world. The America's Energy Coast initiative works to sustain the environmental and economic assets of the Gulf Coast region. The initiative is supported by a growing coalition of world, national and state conservation and environmental organizations and has drawn private support from businesses that see wetlands protection as a key to economic growth. For more information, visit www.americaswetland.com or www.futureofthegulfcoast.org.