{"id":2050340,"date":"2023-09-29T22:03:02","date_gmt":"2023-09-30T02:03:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-approves-emergency-declaration-in-louisiana-over-seawater-intrusion\/"},"modified":"2023-09-29T22:06:39","modified_gmt":"2023-09-30T02:06:39","slug":"biden-approves-emergency-declaration-in-louisiana-over-seawater-intrusion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-approves-emergency-declaration-in-louisiana-over-seawater-intrusion\/","title":{"rendered":"Biden greenlights emergency declaration for Louisiana&#8217;s seawater intrusion."},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">16<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fbiden-approves-emergency-declaration-in-louisiana-over-seawater-intrusion%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2050340&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><h2>President Joe Biden Approves Emergency Declaration to Combat\u200c Saltwater Intrusion in Mississippi River<\/h2>\n<p>In\u2062 a\u2063 crucial move to protect drinking water supplies in \u2062Louisiana, President\u2064 Joe\u200d Biden has\u2064 authorized an emergency declaration for the state. The declaration, approved on September 27, \u2062aims to address the\u2063 threat of saltwater intrusion in the Mississippi River.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>&#8220;Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize and provide at its discretion, the equipment and resources necessary to \u2064alleviate\u200d the impacts of the emergency,&#8221; the White\u2064 House stated.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h3>Emergency Relief Efforts and Assistance<\/h3>\n<p>The\u2064 emergency\u2062 declaration enables the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to coordinate\u2063 disaster relief efforts and provide assistance for necessary emergency\u2064 measures. This includes \u2063implementing temporary measures to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-approves-emergency-declaration-in-louisiana-over-seawater-intrusion\/\" title=\"Biden greenlights emergency declaration for Louisiana's seawater intrusion.\">address reduced\u200d water treatment capability due<\/a> to saltwater intrusion.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Emergency protective \u2063measures will \u200dbe funded at 75 percent by the federal government.<\/li>\n<li>The\u200d assistance will be available\u200b for a maximum period \u2063of 90 days.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Gratitude from Louisiana Governor<\/h3>\n<p>Louisiana Governor John \u2062Bel Edwards expressed\u2063 his gratitude to President Biden \u2064for\u200c approving the emergency declaration. He emphasized the importance\u200c of\u200c this support in helping affected communities combat the saltwater intrusion.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>&#8220;As a result of\u2064 the historic drought throughout the\u200b Mississippi\u200d River\u2063 Valley, the rate of\u200d freshwater flowing \u200bdown the\u2063 Mississippi River has been dramatically \u2064low, \u2062allowing \u2064an intrusion of\u200d saltwater from \u2062the Gulf of Mexico to \u200dmake its \u2062way upriver,&#8221; \u200bGovernor Edwards explained.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Plaquemines Parish is already experiencing the effects of saltwater intrusion, while\u200c other parishes such\u200b as St. Bernard, Jefferson, and Orleans are projected to be impacted in the coming month.<\/p>\n<p>Efforts to mitigate\u200d the impact of saltwater intrusion are underway, with ongoing projects \u200cbeing considered\u200c based on projections from the\u200d United States\u200c Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).<\/p>\n<p>The 90-day approval of the Emergency Declaration will \u2063provide financial assistance for mitigation efforts and protective measures. Further requests may be made as\u200c the situation unfolds.<\/p>\n<h3>Threat to Drinking Water and Health Risks<\/h3>\n<p>The prolonged lack of rainfall in Louisiana and the \u200bMississippi River Valley \u2062has\u2064 caused a decline in freshwater \u200cflow, allowing saltwater from the Gulf\u200c of Mexico to infiltrate the river. This\u2063 poses a \u2063significant \u2064threat\u200c to drinking water supplies.<\/p>\n<p>According \u200cto the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), high \u2062concentrations of \u2064salt consumption can lead to various health \u200dissues, including nausea, \u2064inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, and even death.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>&#8220;A\u2064 large body \u200cof evidence suggests\u2063 that \u2063excessive \u200bsodium intake\u2063 contributes to age-related increases in blood pressure leading to hypertension\u200d [high blood pressure]. Increased blood pressure \u200chas also been clearly demonstrated in several animal\u2063 species given\u200c high concentrations\u200b of sodium chloride in their diets,&#8221; the EPA stated.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>The World Health Organization also highlights \u2062the link between high sodium intake and \u2064high\u200b blood\u2062 pressure in animals.<\/p>\n<h3>Protecting Communities and Mitigating\u200b the Impact<\/h3>\n<p>Multiple communities in south Louisiana, including New Orleans, rely on the\u200c freshwater from\u200b the\u200c Mississippi\u2062 River for various purposes. To address the saltwater \u2062intrusion, officials are taking several measures:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Heightening existing sills to \u200dblock or slow the intrusion of saltwater.<\/li>\n<li>Bringing in 15 million gallons of freshwater for residents\u2062 in\u2063 affected areas.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>These \u2063efforts aim to\u200c safeguard the \u200davailability of clean water for drinking and other essential needs.<\/p>\n<div class=\"post-figure\">\n<figure style=\"width:600px\" class=\"aligncenter\"><figcaption>The\u200c Mississippi River approaches a \u200blevee in New Orleans, \u200bLa., on July 11,\u2064 2019. (Matthew\u2062 Hinton\/AP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>As\u2064 the situation \u2062continues to unfold, the \u2063government will\u200b closely\u200c monitor the emergency efforts and impacts to determine if further assistance \u200dis required. \u2062The collaboration between federal, state, and local partners is crucial in addressing \u2064this pressing\u200d issue.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-5\">\n<em>Katabella Roberts and The Associated Press contributed\u2064 to this report.<\/em>\n<\/div>\n<p> <\/p>\n<h2> What are the health risks associated with saltwater intrusion in drinking water supplies from the Mississippi River?<\/h2>\n<p><span>  E the Mississippi River. This saltwater intrusion poses a significant threat to the drinking water supplies\u2063 in the \u2063region.<\/p>\n<p>Drinking water systems \u2062in \u2062Louisiana heavily rely on the Mississippi River for their water source. The intrusion \u200bof saltwater \u200dnot only affects the taste and quality of the water\u200d but also poses health risks to the \u2064population.\u2063 High levels of salinity in drinking water can lead to issues such as \u2062increased blood pressure, kidney \u2063problems, and\u200c gastrointestinal \u2063illnesses.<\/p>\n<p>Furthermore, the saltwater intrusion also impacts the ecosystem and wildlife in \u2063the \u2064affected areas. The delicate\u200d balance of\u200c freshwater and saltwater \u200dhabitats is disrupted, leading to the loss of aquatic life and damage to \u2063the ecological systems.<\/p>\n<h3>Importance\u2062 of\u200c Emergency Declaration<\/h3>\n<p>The approval of the emergency declaration\u2062 by\u200c President Biden is a crucial step in addressing the issue of saltwater intrusion in the Mississippi River.\u200c It allows for swift mobilization of resources and assistance to combat the immediate impacts of the emergency.<\/p>\n<p>Through FEMA and other relevant agencies, the federal government will work hand in hand with the state and local authorities to implement necessary measures to alleviate the effects of saltwater intrusion. This includes providing temporary solutions to ensure the \u2063continued availability\u2062 and safety of drinking water, as well as supporting efforts\u2063 to restore the\u2064 natural balance of freshwater in the \u200caffected areas.<\/p>\n<p>The financial assistance \u2063provided by the federal government, covering 75 percent of the cost, will play a\u200b vital role\u200c in supporting mitigation\u200b efforts\u2063 and implementing emergency \u200bmeasures. This funding will help in the implementation of projects and initiatives aimed at minimizing the intrusion of saltwater and safeguarding the\u200d drinking water supplies \u2063in Louisiana.<\/p>\n<h3>Collaboration and Future Actions<\/h3>\n<p>The emergency declaration\u2063 also highlights \u2064the importance of \u2064collaboration between different stakeholders in addressing environmental emergencies. It underscores the\u200b need for federal, state, and local authorities, as well as relevant scientific and engineering institutions, to work together in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/what-happens-during-a-government-shutdown-and-who-is-affected\/\" title=\"During a government shutdown, various government services and agencies cease their operations due to a lack of funding. This affects a wide range of people, including federal employees, contractors, and citizens who rely on government programs and services.\">finding long-term solutions<\/a> to \u2063combat saltwater \u2063intrusion.<\/p>\n<p>Ongoing projects and studies \u2063by the United States Army Corps of Engineers are essential in monitoring and predicting the extent of\u200c saltwater intrusion in the Mississippi River. The data collected and analysis\u2062 provided by \u2062these initiatives serve as a basis for decision-making and future actions to mitigate\u2064 the impacts of this ecological crisis.<\/p>\n<p>It is crucial for the government and other organizations to continue investing in research\u2063 and infrastructure projects that aim \u200bto minimize the vulnerability of the Mississippi River and its surrounding areas to saltwater\u2062 intrusion. By taking proactive \u200bmeasures and implementing sustainable solutions, we can better protect\u2062 our drinking water supplies, preserve the delicate ecosystem,\u2063 and safeguard public\u2063 health.<\/p>\n<h3>The Way Forward<\/h3>\n<p>The approval \u200cof the \u2064emergency declaration by\u200d President Biden signifies the government&#8217;s commitment to addressing the immediate concerns posed by saltwater intrusion in the Mississippi\u2063 River. However, it is imperative that this declaration \u200cserves as a starting point for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/the-united-states-and-china-trade-blows-at-alaska-talks-what-you-need-to-know\/\" title=\"The United States And China Trade Blows At Alaska Talks: What You Need To Know\">long-term strategies<\/a> and actions.<\/p>\n<p>Government agencies, local\u200b authorities, and the scientific community should collaborate\u2062 to monitor, study, and develop comprehensive plans to prevent and mitigate future instances of saltwater intrusion. This includes exploring alternative water \u2063sources, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/mississippi-river-saltwater-intrusion-threatens-drinking-water-new-orleans-declares-emergency-2\/\" title=\"Mississippi River saltwater intrusion endangers drinking water; New Orleans declares emergency.\">implementing sustainable water management practices<\/a>, and\u200c improving infrastructure to withstand the impacts of drought\u2062 and changing climate \u2064conditions.<\/p>\n<p>By working together\u200c and taking proactive measures, we can ensure the availability of safe drinking water for the communities that depend on the Mississippi River. The emergency declaration is a critical step, but sustained efforts and investments are necessary to combat the threat\u2063 of saltwater intrusion and build resilience to future environmental challenges.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>President Joe Biden has authorized an emergency declaration for Louisiana to address saltwater intrusion in the Mississippi River, endangering the local drinking water supply. This declaration enables FEMA to coordinate relief efforts and offer aid in response to the crisis. Approved on Sept. 27.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":299,"featured_media":2050341,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[543],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2050340","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-epoch-times"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2050340","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/299"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2050340"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2050340\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2050341"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2050340"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2050340"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2050340"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}