State Coastal Chief Assails Suit Against Oil, Gas

Louisiana’s coastal restoration chief is telling legislators that a New Orleans area flood authority’s lawsuit against oil and gas companies throws a monkey wrench in the state’s coordinated effort to fight wetlands loss.

Garret Graves said oil and gas interests provide 300,000 Louisiana jobs, $80 billion in state economic activity – and have contributed money and valuable services to the state’s restoration efforts. He joined state Sen. Robert Adley on Wednesday in assailing the lawsuit by the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-East in Baton Rouge. Both said the suit could earn billions for attorneys, but fails to address multiple causes of erosion.

Supporters of the suit say it is needed to assure that oil and gas companies address decades of damage done by dredging of oil and gas canals.