Wetlands
The $50 billion plan to save Louisiana’s wetlands
The state of Louisiana is disappearing at an incredible rate, and its sinking deltas threaten some of the nation’s crucial oil, gas and fisheries industries. But Louisiana has a “Hail Mary” plan to save it. Industry and government have created an unprecedented plan to save and rebuild these wetlands over the next 50 years — and say failure is not an option.
Brown Bayou
For the past three years in Louisiana, one of the longest labor disputes in U.S. history has been underway with the Bayou Steel Corporation’s poor environmental record at its core. Debbie Elliott reports from LaPlace, Louisiana on a new alliance of steelworker labor and environmentalists.
Cow Waste and Artifical Wetlands
Lorna Jordan of member station WVXU reports on artificial wetland used to clean up agricultural runoff in LaGrange County, Indiana. Animal waste can contaminate water sources, but by first sending it through constructed wetlands, about forty percent of phosphates and nitrites on this farm are safely filtered out.
What’s a Wetland? — Part One
Wetlands are more than mosquito-ridden swamps. Environmentalists call them a vital life support system. They control floods, purify water and serve as nurseries for countless species up and down the food chain. In South Louisiana, Steve explores the bayou country with a wetlands expert.
Mixing Zones
In a trial run for an expected nationwide ban, the EPA says no more “mixing zones” in the Great Lakes region for 22 highly toxic chemicals. Mixing zones are places in which it was thought water dilutes pollutants, but new research shows that’s not always the case. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s David Sommerstein reports.