Saving America's Wetland [the Mississippi Delta]

Washington Post ^ | December 12, 2004 | Kathleen Babineaux Blanco (LA governor)

[cogitator]

My state dodged a massive natural disaster in September when Hurricane Ivan, which seemed on course to hit New Orleans, veered away at the last minute. The near miss was a dramatic reminder that we continue to face the possibility of a man-made catastrophe. . . .

Louisiana's coast is the nursery to the Gulf of Mexico's thriving marine fisheries. Equally important, a major segment of the country's oil and gas industry is based on this threatened ground. About $100 billion of energy infrastructure, including critical oil reserves, is linked to the coast of Louisiana. Cities and ports in south Louisiana support and supply the rigs working the gulf's massive oil and gas fields. Ivan reminded us what this offshore production means to the nation: Even the short interruption of supply caused by the hurricane forced a spike in already-high oil prices.

More federal help is needed. Louisiana asked for $1.2 billion in the pending Water Resources Development Act to begin coastal protection. ... Oil and gas production off Louisiana's coast pumps an average of $5 billion into the federal treasury. Dedicating just a fraction of the federal revenue from Louisiana offshore production could stop the loss of this regional wetland.

[the rest of the article discusses current wetland/delta conservation and preservation measures that are essentially stopgaps]

[cogitator]

A very thought-provoking article. Up until a few months ago, I was unaware of how important the deep water oil tanker port that lies off the Mississippi delta is to our nation's economy. I think due to the last hurricane season, particularly Crazy Ivan, we're much more aware of that vulnerability.

[76834]

I saw a video on the History Channel a few years ago on this topic.
Seems like the Mississippi wants to divert to the Atchafalaya (sp) River. Probly would happen somewhere above Napeoleanville LA and come out at Morgan City.
This would be a total catastrophy and the only thing that can possibly stop it, temporarily, is lots of money.
It will happen tho, nothing humans can do will ever control Mighty Mississippi.

Here's a good resource:
http://gulfsci.usgs.gov/missriv/index.html

Tons more on the web.

[Cedar]

Please let me clarify something VERY important:

The Mississippi Delta runs from the city of Vicksburg, MS, up to the lobby of the Peabody Hotel in Memphis, TN.

Any other land references staking claim to "the Mississippi Delta" are false.

[jrushing]

Any other land references staking claim to "the Mississippi Delta" are false.

She isn't referring to the State of Mississippi Delta. She's referring to the delta/wetlands created by the Mississippi River south of New Orleans.

[jrushing]

Here's a link to copyrighted photos of the marsh that you can view. Posting of photos not allowed.

C. C. Lockwood coastal erosion

[American_Centurion]

She should have called it the Mississippi River Delta. There is a big difference.

[jrushing]

She should have called it the Mississippi River Delta. There is a big difference.

Yes.

Hugh difference.

[cogitator]

I added "[the Mississippi Delta]" to clarify what the article was about and to avoid the possibility that people would read it as "Saving America's Wetlands", a quite different subject. I should have, as suggested, called it the Mississippi River delta.

[Cedar]

"She should have called it the Mississippi River Delta. There is a big difference."

Ah, yes. All true Delta folks know this.

Actually, I don't think it was Blanco who called it "the Mississippi Delta"--at least I didn't see that term in her linked article. It was the thread's poster who needed some learnin'........ :)

[Cedar]

Hope you realize I was just having some fun (though to Delta people this really is vital :)

Truthfully, I appreciate your concern for this part of the country. Thanks for posting the article.

[cogitator]

That's OK. I live near Frederick, MD. We frequently get confused with Fredericksburg, VA. Definitely not the same place.

[farmfriend]

Rights, farms, environment ping.
Let me know if you wish to be added or removed from this list.
I don't get offended if you want to be removed.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!!!

[Ditter]

Please explain to me what you mean about the Mississippi Delta. I understand the Mississippi River Delta.

[Cedar]

Did you read my post #3?

[Cedar]

The Mississippi Delta
Ride the blues highway

From the March 26, 2001 Issue of New York

It's been said many times that the Mississippi Delta begins in the lobby of the Peabody Memphis hotel. This historic haunt of Delta planters and boozy novelists is the perfect base for day trips throughout this storied pocket of the Deep South. Drive an hour south on Highway 61 to Clarksdale, Mississippi, home of the Delta Blues Museum, which provides maps to blues landmarks throughout the state. Early fall is the best time of year to catch a blues festival (the King Biscuit Blues Festival in Helena, Arkansas, is the first weekend in October, and Greenville's rollicking Mississippi Delta Blues Festival is in mid-September). Finding a nice restaurant among the cotton gins might seem as hard as tracking down the Soggy Bottom Boys, but actor Morgan Freeman recently opened the surprisingly chic Madidi in downtown Clarksdale. Twenty minutes north, in Dundee, is Uncle Henry's Place, a fine Louisiana Creole restaurant located in the old Moon Lake Casino, made famous by Tennessee Williams.
-- HUNTER KENNEDY

[Cedar]

http://www.sanantonioblues.com/articles/archives/BluesVanishInDelta.htm

Quote taken from the above linked article:

"Still, there are good experiences to be had in the Delta. Geographically, the Delta is said to extend from the lobby of the Peabody Hotel in Memphis, down both sides of the Mississippi River for 200 miles to Vicksburg. In all of this area the only significant population centers are Greenville, with a population of 45,000 and Clarksdale with fewer than 20,000. Most other towns range in size from 200 or 300 to 2,000 or 3,000. Historically, bluesmen have migrated up the Delta to the way stations of Clarksdale or Helena, Arkansas to Memphis, and then to St. Louis, Chicago, Detroit, and the rest of the world. Because of this pattern, the northern Delta seems to have most of the places of interest. Unfortunately, most of the development and progress is also in that area."

[Cedar]

Mississippi Delta Restaurant

"Located in the heart of Greenville, Doe’s Eat Place has been dubbed the place where the best steaks in the world are served."

Link: http://www.doeseatplace.com/

[Cedar]

"The Greenville Writers Exhibit, located at the William Alexander Percy Memorial Library, showcases the many renowned writers this community has produced, including Pulitzer Prize winners Shelby Foote and Hodding Carter, Jr., and novelists Ellen Douglas and Walker Percy. An exhibit honoring Muppet creator Jim Henson is located in nearby Leland. Kermit the Frog, who Henson said was “Born on the banks of Deer Creek”, is the focus of the exhibit. Henson was born in Greenville and reared on the banks of Deer Creek in Stoneville."

Link: http://www.greenvilleareachamber.com/recreation.htm