Mr. GO Needs to GO!

[Audrey2Katrina]

Without getting into ANY politics, virtually every engineer I've spoken to or heard from, as well as local meteorologists agree that this monument to man's lack of foresight played a pivotal role in the utter destruction of the lower Ninth and St. Bernard Parish. Some of its apologists (corporate mostly) are trying to say it would've made little difference--I disagree. It was this monstrosity that led to the massive flooding after Betsy, and it was worse for Katrina. It needs to GO! It is killing the wetlands, (one can only wonder how many sq. miles it already contributed to coastal erosion in the 40 years since Betsy, and it will REMAIN a funnel for any future surges. IF there is to be any modicum of security for folks in St. Bernard they need to ban together and get this thing shut down, and eliminated.

A2K

[stormcrow]

Why do I fear that when new orleans is abandoned as the gulf rises over it the politicians will still be debating whether they should do something about the MRGO

[Audrey2Katrina]

Why do I fear that when new orleans is abandoned as the gulf rises over it the politicians will still be debating whether they should do something about the MRGO

In the interest of avoiding the "no politics" rule of the forum, I shall refrain from the obvious answer. Suffice it to say, that unless the people of the area DEMAND something be done about this monstrosity--then they shall surely reap what they have allowed to remain sown.

A2K

[Javlin]

I thought I heard the other day that there will be no more dredging of the MRGO?

[TSmith274]

I've often wondered why the corperate types don't push for a lock system for the MRGO. That way, they can keep their quick route to the open gulf and make resident's lives more secure at the same time.

[Audrey2Katrina]

I've often wondered why the corperate types don't push for a lock system for the MRGO. That way, they can keep their quick route to the open gulf and make resident's lives more secure at the same time.

That would at LEAST provide a modicum of "some" protection for the inhabitants around it; but it would do nothing at all to abate the massive loss of our wetlands consequent to this attrocity--it has completely upset the ecosystem.

A2K

[TSmith274]

Yeah you're right about that. I've been really dissapointed in the lack of talk about restoring the wetlands. It's been levees levees and more levees. People need to realize that without wetland restoration... we're sunk... literally.

[Dionne]

When the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet was completed in 1965 it constituted a well aimed shot in the foot.

The worst part of the deal is that some engineers signaled strong warnings about possible results. And they were ignored.

[Audrey2Katrina]

The worst part of the deal is that some engineers signaled strong warnings about possible results. And they were ignored.

and they're STILL being ignored. Sad fact is that despite committing slow suicide, all this really boils down to is that it's "all about the Benjamins"... and the people, culture, city itself... be... ********.

A2K

[TSmith274]

Well today Bobby Jindal announced that it looks better than ever that Louisiana will get a fair share of its own oil and gas royalties. If this happens, the state of Louisiana will have the freedom to fix its own problems without federal intervention. This is great news. By 2010, it'll be $1 billion per year... growing higher on an annual basis. Bonded out, it would mean enough money to provide TRUE catergory 5 protection and restore the wetlands. Keep your fingers crossed.

[Audrey2Katrina]

Well today Bobby Jindal announced that it looks better than ever that Louisiana will get a fair share of its own oil and gas royalties. If this happens, the state of Louisiana will have the freedom to fix its own problems without federal intervention. This is great news. By 2010, it'll be $1 billion per year... growing higher on an annual basis. Bonded out, it would mean enough money to provide TRUE catergory 5 protection and restore the wetlands. Keep your fingers crossed.

Indeed it will, my only worry is who, locally, will control those purse-strings. The oil revenues are LONG overdue, and a welcome windfall. I just hope they put them to good use.

I believe this MIGHT have been posted on another thread but can't find it right now. Regardless, the Popular Science mag did an article on "Five Bold Ideas"...in rebuilding New Orleans. Some I like, others...ummm not so sure about. But the one about how the actual rebuilding of our wetlands is both VERY promising, and very interesting... if ONLY they would actually DO it.

http://www.popsci.com/popsci/science/185c893302839010vgnvcm1000004eecbccdrcrd.html

Ideas 1 and 2, (sea-gates, and engineered wetlands reconstruction) are, I feel both pragmatic and very doable. Some of the others are probably unlikely en toto, but possible partially.

A2K

[Audrey2Katrina]

Incidentally,... I STILL maintain that MRGO needs to GO!!

[HurryKane]

I will throw my hat in the political fray and say...

I hate the name "Mr. Go." Much prefer M-R-GO, or Mergo, or M-R-G-O.

There. I did it. Flay me.

[Audrey2Katrina]

I hate the name "Mr. Go." Much prefer M-R-GO, or Mergo, or M-R-G-O.

LOL, no flaying necessary. Personally I have a LOT of other names I'd prefer to call it... but possessing the better part of valor, I shall refrain from stating them.

A2K

[BayouVenteux]

This morning on WWL radio, St. Bernard Parish President Junior Rodriguez was on with Spud McConnell and responded to a caller who took Mr. Rodriguez to task for changing his once strong position for filling in the MRGO. Mr. Rodriguez responded that he had been presented with two studies in the last 9 months regarding the MRGO and its effects on the Parish during Katrina. He said he dismissed the first one, which cited evidence that the MRGO had little or no direct role in funneling the surge that swept over the Parish. However, the second study came to the same conclusion, and he began to understand what both sets of researchers were stating -- that basically, the MRGO had already done its dirty work over the last 40 years -- the saltwater intrusion had slowly decimated the surrounding forested swamp and marshland, killing the vegetation and accelerating the coastal erosion. When Katrina's winds blew water out of the north and east, there was nothing much left between Lake Borgne and upper St. Bernard to act as a buffer. Mr. Rodriguez explained that he was told that once the surge rose above a mere 3 feet, the impact of MRGO as a conduit for the surge was no greater than any other lake, bayou or canal. The point was that it's not the MRGO itself, but the loss of the land around it that exacerbated the formidable surge and set in motion the catastrophe. Thus, Mr. Rodriguez seemed to be of the opinion that attempting to close up the MRGO now would be too little, too late to do any real good when another major storm threatens.

[stormcrow]

More short term thinking on a long term problem. There is no quick fix. With the thinking out there I may live long enough to see the end of New Orleans.

[Dionne]

More short term thinking on a long term problem. There is no quick fix. With the thinking out there I may live long enough to see the end of New Orleans.

Consider that you may be witnessing the end of New Orleans. The New Orleans that I knew....no longer exists.

[HurryKane]

formidable surge and set in motion the catastrophe. Thus, Mr. Rodriguez seemed to be of the opinion that attempting to close up the MRGO now would be too little, too late to do any real good when another major storm threatens.

I haven't paid close enough attention, but if they were to get rid of MRGO, wouldn't that allow for the Mississippi to start replenishing the land that was lost during its existence? Or did I read the wrong things? If it does replenish, then sure it won't fix things much for the next several seasons, but long, long term it seems it would do some good.

Or did I read wrong?

[Audrey2Katrina]

This morning on WWL radio, St. Bernard Parish President Junior Rodriguez was on with Spud McConnell and responded to a caller who took Mr. Rodriguez to task for changing his once strong position for filling in the MRGO. Mr. Rodriguez responded that he had been presented with two studies in the last 9 months regarding the MRGO and its effects on the Parish during Katrina. He said he dismissed the first one, which cited evidence that the MRGO had little or no direct role in funneling the surge that swept over the Parish. However, the second study came to the same conclusion, and he began to understand what both sets of researchers were stating -- that basically, the MRGO had already done its dirty work over the last 40 years -- the saltwater intrusion had slowly decimated the surrounding forested swamp and marshland, killing the vegetation and accelerating the coastal erosion. When Katrina's winds blew water out of the north and east, there was nothing much left between Lake Borgne and upper St. Bernard to act as a buffer. Mr. Rodriguez explained that he was told that once the surge rose above a mere 3 feet, the impact of MRGO as a conduit for the surge was no greater than any other lake, bayou or canal. The point was that it's not the MRGO itself, but the loss of the land around it that exacerbated the formidable surge and set in motion the catastrophe. Thus, Mr. Rodriguez seemed to be of the opinion that attempting to close up the MRGO now would be too little, too late to do any real good when another major storm threatens.

With all due respect, I think Rodriguez needs to bone up on some facts and view the pictures taken from the Michoud Power Plant clearly showing overtopping of the Intercoastal Canal levees--MRGO fared no better. And saying that since it's done its dirty work, it's an exercise in futility to fill it in only makes me well with rage. The good citizens of St. Bernard should get up a petition...(I'll leave it there!)... b/c he clearly doesn't seem to have much of a handle on just how disastrous this thing has been going back to the days of Betsy. It's almost as if he's a doctor telling a terminal patient... "Well, we can't do anything more for you 'cuz the damage has been done, so just deal with it till you die.".... Makes my blood boil

A2K

[Audrey2Katrina]

formidable surge and set in motion the catastrophe. Thus, Mr. Rodriguez seemed to be of the opinion that attempting to close up the MRGO now would be too little, too late to do any real good when another major storm threatens.

I haven't paid close enough attention, but if they were to get rid of MRGO, wouldn't that allow for the Mississippi to start replenishing the land that was lost during its existence? Or did I read the wrong things? If it does replenish, then sure it won't fix things much for the next several seasons, but long, long term it seems it would do some good.

Or did I read wrong?

No, you read correctly.... sady this smacks of more backroom dealing to me. Something definitely stinks and it isn't in the "state of Denmark!

A2K