Hurricane Protection Diminished by Eroding Wetlands in the Gulf

Yesterday, on the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, President Obama was in New Orleans to address a crowd at Xavier University. He assured the crowd that his administration is “working to restore protective wetlands and natural barriers” that have been disappearing for decades. But while we focus attention on restoring the wetlands at the mouth of the Mississippi, significant erosion by ship channels and oil pipelines pose an equal, if not greater threat. Is full restoration possible? What would it mean for oil companies, shipping and the fishing industry?