St. Bernard Parish Opposes Sediment Diversions That Could Undo Oyster Reef Restoration Efforts
SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Times Picayune] By Benjamin Alexander-Bloch - April 22, 2015 -
The St. Bernard Parish Council adopted a resolution Tuesday evening (April 21) opposing state funding this year for four proposed sediment diversion projects.
George Ricks, a St. Bernard fisherman who started Save Louisiana Coalition, said the diversions would harm "our very important fishing and seafood industries that are vital to our economy."
Ricks described the importance of the Brenton Sound estuary and how much local St. Bernard oystermen currently are investing in "crushed concrete cultch.".
"That money will be spent for not if this goes through," said Ricks, saying those oyster reefs being laid down by oystermen would no longer work to grow oysters and thus be wasted if the proposed diversions go forward.
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