[fight_truth_decay]

Donald F. Boesch , president of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science in Cambridge penned this piece for the Baltimore Sun in excerpt:

"The rate of coastal wetland loss in low-lying Louisiana has been well-documented for more than 25 years. From 1956 - 1978, an estimated 50 square miles a year were lost. He admits, "the rate of loss has now slowed to an estimated 24 square miles a year, in part because of much tighter restrictions on oil field dredging activities". "Louisiana is running out of wetlands to even lose," he says [My note: "Running out of wetlands" caused by nature and man].

"Shipping interests pushed for construction of the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet, a 36-foot-deep, 65-mile-long bypass of the winding route down the river," Boesch claims, dredged straight through the wetlands, the outlet has not only fallen short of its projected use allowing saltwater to intrude to New Orleans and the oil and gas industry has actively dismissed assertions that its activities were an important cause of wetland loss and, until fairly recently, even that wetland loss was a serious problem."

Should we as taxpayers be expected pay the brunt of the this massive reconstruction bill considered one of the biggest and most expensive environmental restoration projects in U.S. history? Will the "the shipping interests" and/or oil companies, in part, be chipping in from their "profits" or as before mentioned; the taxpayer again is stuck holding the whole tab.

For further study: Coast 2050 Report (also available as html)

[GrandEagle]

It is time for individuals to take full responsibility for their actions.

I agree. If the Federal Government would stay inside it's Constitutional limitations and do only those things that "we the people" authorize them to do in the Constitution, we wouldn't have this problem.
The Socialistic programs reward irresponsibility.

GE

[TBall]

The intense hurricane cycle of the last few years will no doubt ease and some lucky investors will get very good deals on premium water front property.

[yldstrk]

If you want to live in a sewer, do it at your own risk.

[robjna]

at least if you are going ot build , don't expect wooden structures to hold. The carribean islands have been dealing with hurricanes their whole exisitence and almost all structures are concrete.
It only took me living in one home that was in a low area to figure out water finds its lowest point and is persistent in doing so.
BUt NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO not in America, you can be stupid and then compensated for your stupidity.

[poobear]

I've lived in Florida for over 47 years. Smart enough not to live in a flood zone and smart enough to be fully insured. Those on the direct coastline should pay higher premiums do to higher risk. To have the federal government rebuild any shadily built neighborhood just because they were poor and not insured or lived in a flood zone is preposterous!

Just my 2 cents.

[Happy2BMe]

NOLA and GULF COAST woes pings . .

[GianniV]

Yeah, this guy is right, but nobody in the fed gov has the balls to say this. Bush won't, because he'll be called a racist; same goes for every weak-kneed Republican who is afraid to stand up to Jesse Jackson.

Question - do any Republican "leaders" really inspire you? I know Reagan really inspired me, but since him, not many have. Maybe Gingrich in '94. Maybe Tancredo. The rest of them just seem interested in being Democrat-like and getting re-elected.

[Safetgiver]

Knowing the taxpayers are going to foot this bill, I suggest you find a true list of Current residents in this area, give them OH, say 300,000 bucks, make them sign a waiver and tell them do what you want to do, don't ask for more. Would save a lot in the long run.

[GianniV]

This man's point is exactly the point I've made about all the new public housing going up in Chicago. These welfare queens lived for free for years on the government dole, trashed their properties, sold drugs and generally allowed the neighborhoods to disintegrate. So, what does the ever wise Mayor Daley and other government entities do? They tear down the old, trashed facilities and build these welfare queens new town homes. Way to reward these low lifes.

How about stating enough is enough? No more free low income housing. It's over - find a job and find a place to live. If you can't do that for yourself, then screw you.

[wolfcreek]

Your absolutely right, but if not rebuilding there, then where? I surely do not want those people (gulf coasters) moving to the Austin area. We have enough problems with growth to take on more humans.

[Rodney King]

"The rate of coastal wetland loss in low-lying Louisiana has been well-documented for more than 25 years. From 1956 - 1978, an estimated 50 square miles a year were lost. He admits, "the rate of loss has now slowed to an estimated 24 square miles a year, in part because of much tighter restrictions on oil field dredging activities". "Louisiana is running out of wetlands to even lose," he says [My note: "Running out of wetlands" caused by nature and man].

I don't give a rat's *ss about the Wetlands (formerly known as swamps).

[atlaw]

Yeah! To heck with those worthless morons. We don't need them or their stupid Gulf coast. I mean, other than oil, gas, refining capacity, international and domestic sea ports, fish, and agriculture, what are they good for? Huh? Huh?

[WasDougsLamb]

American taxpayers should not be forced to subsidize putting Americans back in harm's way.


If they do not go back, then when the next hurricane hits, they will have nothing to whine about though. They saw how much money and free stuff they got this time for being stupid and staying in a flood zone. It is a way of life for them. Bilk the gov't for every dime you can get at the taxpayers expense. I say if they go back, let them rebuild with the money we ALREADY GAVE. If they want to live in an area that is below sea level and prone to flooding, then let them. But make it REAL CRYSTAL clear, the gravy train has ran out. You are on your own. If it floods again, don't call us, don't whine because we forgot you, just grow up and take responsibility for your own actions and quit blaming the very people who are paying for you to set on your asses while we work......

[Wiseghy]

Given the hysterical (and inaccurate) press coverage, this concept is a political nonstarter. An administration seen as stingy would quickly lose its ability to rule on domestic or foreign policy issues.

I hope that local officials, and a generally free market oriented rebuild plan will help to promote stronger and more sensible zoning and construction codes. However, I can only hope that reason prevails, the feds will have no control over the process, given the extremely hostile press coverage.