Looking into the future the Pelican feeding its young from a self-induced wound in its own breast (as depicted, mysteriously, on the state flag of Louisiana) is accepted as an appropriate symbol of both self-sacrifice and rebirth. Through his selfless efforts, man is raised from the slavery of ignorance to the condition of freedom conferred by wisdom. Given the current state of affairs in Louisiana, one hopes that the understanding of the Pelican as a symbol shall point the way towards a new consciousness of ourselves as a whole, and lead us to face our futures with strength, grace, wisdom and faith, to learn from our mistakes and carry our successes and zest for living to future generations.

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Letter to U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Members

To: U.S. Senate Environment

C/O: Senator James Inhofe, Chairman – R. Oklahoma

Re: Present proposal to build two billion dollar mega city titled the Lakeshore Village/Estates

Dear U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Members,

Enclosed are SOWL’s April 12 and June 6, 2004 letters to U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs and SOWL’s June 8, 2004 letter to Senate and House Committee on Energy and Natural resources that relate to the above captioned.

In summary, Louisiana politicians are screaming for billions of dollars from the U.S. Congress to patch up Louisiana’s eroding coastline, but in the meantime, they push for destruction of Louisiana wetlands to support Housing/Commercial developments in flood plains like the above-captioned.

In synopsis, here are some of SOWL’s suggestions and recommendations:

1. The U.S. Congress provides funds to purchase and restore the remaining Louisiana wetlands to be placed in a national trust.

2. The U.S. Congress provide funds to elevate interstate Highway 10 East out of New Orleans past Slidell as to provide a proper evacuation route for the coming hurricane to the New Orleans Community.

3. The U.S. Congress provide funds to immediately fill in the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MRGO), which expanding salt water intrusion, poses an immediate and serious threat of hurricane tidal surges to St. Bernard, Plaquemines and Orleans Parishes.

4. Oil company canals constructed by the thousands through Louisiana wetlands cause 50% of Louisiana’s yearly 35 square miles wetland loss and coastal erosion. The reason is that these canals cause massive salt-water intrusion. This is an easily obtainable scientific documented fact located with the Center for Wetland Resources at Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge. Dr. Paul Templet ex Director of the Center for Wetland Resources and ex Director of the Louisiana DEQ is also a source for this information.

Therefore, the U.S. government with the State of Louisiana should coordinate and proceed against the giant oil companies to force them to pay the hundreds of billions of dollars in damages they have reaped upon our disappearing Louisiana coastline. These monies should also be used to restore Louisiana’s coastline and disappearing wetlands.

What a shame your President Bush and U.S. Congress have wasted billions of dollars to support an illegal and immoral war in Iraq for Halliburton and Dick Cheney’s oil company cronies. In the meantime, thanks to oil companies, Louisiana sinks into the ocean and Louisiana politicians push for destruction of wetlands to develop 2 billion dollar mega projects into flood plains like the above captioned.

Respectfully,
Save Our Wetlands, Inc.

CC: U.S. Senate Committee on Banking,