[StBernard] Groups to speak out about MRGO closing today

[Westley Annis]

Groups to speak out about MRGO closing today
by The Times-Picayune 
Monday June 16, 2008, 7:47 AM
A coalition of St. Bernard Parish officials and environmental groups is
holding a news conference this morning to bring attention to their efforts
to close the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet. 

St. Bernard Parish President Craig Taffaro will join representatives of the
MRGO must GO Coalition, and the Delta Chapter of the Sierra Club during a
news conference in Chalmette. The event begins at 11 a.m. at 8201 W. Judge
Perez Drive. 

The groups want to make sure the controversial shipping channel is plugged
and that the wetlands surrounding it are rebuilt to provide better
protection to the communities of St. Bernard Parish, eastern New Orleans and
the 9th Ward. 

Last week, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers formally de-authorized the
channel and said it plans to shut it down with an earthen plug in time for
the 2009 hurricane season.