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New Delta Dispatches Blog

Happy Holidays from Delta Dispatches! 

A reminder that we have recently launched a new Delta Dispatches blog, www.deltadispatches.org, where we will be posting the same informative stories you're used to seeing in the Delta Dispatches e-newsletter.  The blog will also include additional media resources such as: videos, photos, current events, news updates and more.  Be sure to check it out, subscribe to updates, and visit often to stay informed about our work to restore coastal Louisiana.  

We look forward to working with you again in 2011!

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Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MRGO) Ecosystem Restoration Plan Moves Forward

By Amanda Moore, National Wildlife Federation

The Army Corps of Engineers is set to release the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MRGO) Ecosystem Restoration Plan Draft Feasibility Report this Friday, December 17, officially opening the 45-day public comment period. The release marks an important and long-awaited step toward community protection and large-scale coastal restoration for the Greater New Orleans region... (continue reading here).

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Bloggers Nationwide Ask for Gulf Coast Restoration During "Blog for the Gulf" Event

By David J. Ringer, National Audubon Society

The Nature Blog Network, which represents more than 1,300 nature, science and conservation blogs from all over the world, sponsored a virtual event called "Blog for the Gulf" last week. Organizers asked bloggers to write about Gulf Coast restoration and recovery, and specifically, the Senate’s need to act during lame duck to dedicate Clean Water Act penalties to environmental restoration... (continue reading here).

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Louisiana Coastal Area 6 Project Profile: Convey Atchafalaya River Water to Northern Terrebonne Marshes

By Angelina Freeman (Environmental Defense Fund), Natalie Snider (Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana) and John Lopez (Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation)

As we discussed in a previous post, four of our organizations recently reviewed and provided comments on the six near-term Louisiana Coastal Area 6 project reports and final environmental impact statements.

In contrast to the robustness of the Medium Diversion at White Ditch project, the narrowing of ambition in the design of the Convey Atchafalaya River Water to Northern Terrebonne Marshes/Multipurpose Operation of the Houma Navigation Lock is striking and suggests that as currently configured, it may not achieve the objectives of the project... (continue reading here).

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Meet Cynthia Duet

By David J. Ringer, National Audubon Society

Cynthia Duet joined the National Audubon Society's Louisiana Coastal Initiative team in November 2010. In her role as director of governmental relations, Cynthia will be interacting with government agencies and coastal stakeholders at local, state, and federal levels to advocate for next-generation, science-based coastal policy and for the design, funding, and construction of bold and effective coastal restoration projects that protect and restore this valuable ecosystem... (continue reading here).