A silver lining in the muck
Posted: Thursday, September 22 at 10:59 am CT by Miguel Llanos
NEW ORLEANS -- One of our last stops before wrapping up is one of the pumping stations that have been sending New Orleans sewage and sediment into Lake Pontchartrain, a huge body of water whose ecosystem was nearly wiped out until a group of citizens organized to clean it up in the 1990s.
To get there we had to drive through neighborhoods deserted except for powerline crews and rescue workers still searching for any survivors on streets only recently emptied of floodwaters.
Peter van Metre, from the U.S. Geological Survey, shows a suspended sediment sample taken from the waters of Lake Pontchartrain near floodwater pumping. (David Friedman / MSNBC.com)
Even before we saw the pump we saw the brown plume exiting a canal and opening up into the lake. There is a boom in place across the canal to trap large sediment but it can’t stop everything.
As a result, the state and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are taking water and sediment samples at this spot and others.
The citizens’ group that was born of the 1990s restoration efforts welcomes the effort.
“It’s the most comprehensive sampling program I’ve ever seen,” says Carlton Dufrechou, executive director of the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation.
He expects some short-term shore damage but is optimistic about recovery, reciting an adage that he says should prove true in this case: the solution to pollution is dilution.
Andrea Calvin, who coordinates water monitoring for the foundation, joined us along the lake and echoed Dufrechou’s optimism. Earlier restoration work means the lake is able to rebound more quickly, she says.
A key indicator, she believes, will be the health of clams in the lakebed. “They’re our canaries in the coal mine,” she says. Because the lake is so shallow, just 12 to 15 feet, any contaminated sediment can become a problem, she says.
The foundation will be watching and doing its own tests as well. “We’ll learn as we go,” Calvin says. “The monitoring really has just begun.”
Andrea Calvin, of the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation (David Friedman / MSNBC.com)
Before we leave Calvin we run into a crew from the U.S. Geological Survey that just happens to be charged with sampling sediment and water. Peter van Metre, a hydrologist heading the group, shows us sediment samples from two canals that will be sent to the National Water Lab in Denver, Colo., for a range of contaminant tests.
He offers to take us out on their boat, but we’ve run short of time for the day. We do, however, plan to go back into New Orleans for one last look and maybe even that boat ride.
Another night at the 'Hill Hotel'
TRACKBACKS
NOTHING AGAINST THE PEOPLE OF NO/LA, I LIVE 90 MILES NORTH OF GULFPORT. MY POWER WAS JUST RECENTLY RESTORED WE ALL HAVE DAMAGE TO OUR HOMES. THE POOR PEOPLE OF THE MS GULFCOAST DO NOT EVEN HAVE BUILDINGS LEFT STANDING. I KNOW LA RESIDENTS HAD IT BAD BUT ALL YOU HEAR IS NEW ORLEANS, NEW ORLEANS. MS RESIDENTS WERE AFFECTED FROM JACKSON TO MERIDIAN TO THE GULFCOAST. DONT GET ME WRONG I THANK EVERYONE FOR THEIR HELP, I JUST FEEL LIKE WE GET PUSHED TO THE BACK BURNER OVER NEW ORLEANS.
THNX,
GAYLE
GAYLE WILLIAMS, COLLINS, MS (Sent Sep 22, 2005 11:36:21 AM)
Hope you can make that boat ride, but if not we still look forward to any news that you can send out our way here in the "Blog Zone". And again, be safe whatever you do and wherever you go.
It will be good to know that this lake and surrounding area can rebound. Maybe a water purifying system of some kind can be used? Waht about water aerators as well to help bring high levels of oxygen into the water? Using these types of systems may help decrease the time for contaminants that may enter the water to be cleaned out. Also, any fish that may remain alive within will have a chance of not dying off. If fish do die off it can cause further problems not just with the air and the smell they can bring about as they float to the surface but to any wildlife that may ingest them.
We will be looking forward to those tests results, hopefully nothing too serious within. Again David, thank you for bringing this story our way, and both you and Miguel be safe. Our prayers with all of the survivors, rescuers and everyone. Assalamu Alaykim (Peace Be Upon You)
The Harlow's, San Diego, California (Sent Sep 22, 2005 11:39:51 AM)
I agree with Gayle Williams. My parents live in Gulfport and lost EVERYTHING - just like most of our friends. They have NOTHING to go home to. The Gulf Coast was devistated by Katrina and the media's attention remains with New Orleans. I understand that there are major issues to address in that area and it is a more famous city but the MS Gulf Coast has similar issues as well. We lost family and friends. We lost buildings and sentimental things. We had looting. We had - and still have - compassionate, courageous heros. We have strong, amazing survivors. We have no landmarks left but the Ship Island Fort and the Friendship Oak in Long Beach. New Orleans has multiple landmarks still standing. It has been a great disappointment to me to see journalist reporting information about New Orleans from what was left of my hometown. It seemed to be in poor taste and, quite frankly, not very good reporting, in my opinion.
Lynndee Rainey, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Sep 22, 2005 12:41:00 PM)
Living in California you wouldn't think that widespread flooding could occur, but, we have a levee system too and those living near those areas as I do have seen how destructive to lives, homes and businesses rampaging water can be. My thoughts and prayers go to everyone from Mississippi to Louisiana.
Mary, Pleasanton, Calif (Sent Sep 22, 2005 12:52:09 PM)
I agree with G. Williams, Collins, MS comments. I have friends from Bay St. Louis, MS that lost literally everything. They have nothing to go home to, yet they are going to rebiuld and create a new life. I admire thier strength and courage...
I too would like to have knowledgfe of the citizens along the coast. There were many small towns that no longer exist. I wish the media would go visit these places and get into the heart of the South.
L. St. Clair (Sent Sep 22, 2005 12:55:50 PM)
My brother also lost everything!! He too lived in Gulfport, Ms on the back bay. THe water line at his house was up to the bottom of the transformer on the power pole. The house was knocked off the foundation and filled with mud. I have been very disappointed in the coverage the media has given Mississippi. Our church has been to areas as recently as last week and they said we were the first type of relief they had seen. These area's were completly destroyed. One family was living in a 10x10 dog kennel with a tarp over the top. I understand that what happened to N.O. was devastating, but we still have people in MS that are suffering and have been just as devaststed and need assistance too. Why can't the media cover both states equally? Is it because there is no political argument over who's fault it is that the levee breached? That is how it feels to some of us in Mississippi.
Angela Murphy (Sent Sep 22, 2005 4:02:50 PM)
The news media and ONLY the news media determines what makes a good story and what does not. New Orleans was hit hard yes, but why did it receive most of the coverage when the tragedy streached well beyond that one city?
Bill P, Covington, Va. (Sent Sep 22, 2005 4:03:14 PM)
Why has the media reported almost exclusively about NOLA? One word ... RATINGS! News is no longer news, it is no longer reporting a story, news is now entertainment with "faces" instead of reporters. Looting in NOLA was considered a high ratings story as compared to neighbors banding together to help each other regardless of race, creed, or color as was happening in MS. I think we in Mississippi did too much "right" to be of much interest to the National News. We have been the forgotten "bastard child" of Katrina and now it seems we are no longer even on the back burner since Rita - we've been removed from the stove entirely.
Lanie, Pascagoula, MS (Sent Sep 24, 2005 6:52:16 PM)
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