MRGO Litigation

Five plaintiffs are suing the Corps of Engineers theorizing that Mississippi River Gulf Outlet exacerbated flooding in the New Orleans area by acting as a funnel for the storm surge and killing surrounding wetlands. The Corps is immune from suit in its capacity as flood protection builder, but these plaintiffs are trying to sue the Corps in its navigation maintenance capacity.

This suit is a big deal, as there are hundreds of thousands of plaintiffs in the area that could join. The trial will be going on in the coming weeks. You can follow it at Nola.com, or in even more detail at this blog:

slabbed. (Look for MRGO posts)

There was no Sunday Funday, because there was no Sunday Fun-- only law school finals preparation. :(

Good Deal (Perhaps): Expanded New Orleans Homebuying Assistance

At least 75% of the work force is now eligible for homebuying assistance in New Orleans through the city's Finance Authority.

The program can be used by people who make up to 20% more than the median New Orleanian's income to buy a first home or renovate their current one. For a two person household, that's $57,000. Man, maybe I should look into property....

Anyways, up to $65,000 of 0% interest soft-second mortgage and $10,000 of closing cost assistance are available to applicants out of a $27 million dollar pot.

One slightly huge caveat:

Each one of the "Housing Opportunity Zones"- where most of the assistance will be given- flooded during Katrina, at least to my knowledge. On the map I see areas in Mid City, Lakeview, New Orleans East, and off the Earhart Expressway, just to name a few.

Some areas took in only a little water, but others were severely flooded. This concerns me, as does any encouragement of development in floodzones without serious land use guidelines.

Of course, in areas with only moderate flooding, elevation of homes is completely feasible-- not to mention the traditional & smart way of building in NOLA!

If anyone wants to clarify- here are the zones.

Thanks to KL for passing on the link!

Sources: New Orleans City Business; Finance Authority of New Orleans

Coming up: Three Years After Katrina- 8/29/08

Three years after the storm, many obstacles to recovery and other problems still remain for the Gulf Coast. More than ever, while campaigns are going full blown, it's important that we keep what happened in memory. Here are five easy things you can do to commemorate 8/29/05.

1) Get Informed. There are several great websites you can visits to learn the facts about Katrina, what went wrong, and the recovery efforts. Two of my favorites is are Nola.com's page and America's Wetland.
Of course there's also google.

2) Write/call/email your congressmen. This is so easy and it actually does make a difference. You can either write your own letter about how you want better levees, funding for coastal restoration, a plan for Fema, etc. Or you go to websites like the Gulf Restoration Network for prewritten text. Also, dropping a line to McCain or Obama won't hurt!

Contact your house members.

Contact your senators (including Mac and Oby).

3) Talk to your friends about Katrina. Easy. You can even start a heated debate, but the point is that we don't want people to forget. Especially now that campaigns are in full swing!

4) Attend or host an event commemorating the third anniversary of Katrina.

Finally
5) Volunteer your time or donate your bucks to help spread awareness/ aid restoration efforts.

Check out
The Gulf Restoration Network

Levees.org This group is concerned with levees all over the nation- you'd be surprised how many are inadequate.

The New Orleans Musician Relief Fund

or

Make it Right This is the one with Brad Pitt.

just to name a few.

Thanks for standing with the Gulf Coast!!