Road Home Program Took a Wrong Turn in Mid-City Restorations

Sometimes it seems as though “Brownie” and “official” New Orleans deserved each other — why does Ray Nagin still have a job?

This from the excellent monthly newsletter of the National Hazards Center:

Road Home Program Took a Wrong Turn in Mid-City Restorations

A problematic program meant to help Louisianans rebuild after Hurricane Katrina doled out more than $3.2 million to refurbish houses that will soon be rubble, according to a recent article in the New Orleans Times-Picayune.

Louisiana’s Road Home program, now managed by the Louisiana Recovery Authority, has had no shortage of financial woes and missteps. The program has suffered management issues, budget shortfalls in the billions, and the faltering faith of the pubic since its inception in 2006.

The latest tumble, however, comes from a state plan to flatten 70 acres in New Orleans’ Mid-City for a hotly debated medical campus to replace the hurricane-damaged Charity Hospital and add a Veteran’s Administration hospital, according to the article. The same pot of federal housing funds that support the Road Home program would be used to buy out the freshly restored homes.

“That the state was strongly considering these sites was no secret to the public, but the final site selections for the hospitals had not been made,” Louisiana Recovery Authority Spokesperson Christina Stephens told the Times-Picayune. “We simply could not deny homeowners grants if we were not sure they were in the footprint of the new hospitals.”

Homeowners, it seems, did have some reason to hope that their neighborhood would eventually be spared. Opponents of the sprawling campus and historic preservationists aiming to save Charity and the Mid-City district have worked hard to keep the plan from coming to fruition. As recently as mid-November, Louisiana’s Commission on Streamlining Government recommended conducting an independent study of an alternate plan to retrofit Charity into a state-of-the-art hospital rather than rebuilding, according to another Times-Picayune article.

Despite a state budget shortage and an ongoing dispute with the Federal Emergency Management Agency on what the federal portion of replacing Charity will be, the state has begun buyout offers in the area, according to the Times-Picayune.

Meanwhile, the Road Home program has started to bounce back from some of its earlier setbacks, freeing up funds earlier this year for low-income grantees and recently making good on promises to help residentsinstall mitigation measures, thanks to some help from FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

Still, those grants that were wasted could have offset rebuilding in other areas and will now cost the state even more if it moves ahead with the hospital campus, according to Stephens.

“The state will base its buyout offerings on current appraised home values, meaning that homeowners who did rebuild their homes likely will get a higher buyout amount,” she told the Times-Picayune.

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A Sally Lightfoot Crab (Grapsus grapsus) sits atop a rock, Galapagos Island, Ecuador. A recent study found hard shelled crabs and lobsters grew thicker shells when exposed to more acidic ocean water.

Courtesy, kookr @ flickr

As the amount of carbon dioxide in Earth’s atmosphere increases, the ocean too sees higher dissolved carbon dioxide levels. This is because the ocean is a natural carbon dioxide filter, or sponge, as earlier reported in Carbon dioxide absorbed by ocean diminishes.

Ocean water pH falls as more carbon dioxide is absorbed, making the ocean more acidic. For the most part, acidification of the ocean concerns marine researchers.

Organisms with shells were previously thought to be the most seriously effected by acidification. Because, As Science daily reports, “carbon dioxide is known to trigger a process that reduces the abundance of carbonate ions in seawater — one of the primary materials that marine organisms use to build their calcium carbonate shells and skeletons.”

This prompted a recent study were organisms were exposed to varying levels of dissolved carbon dioxide. The results surprised researchers. According to a University of Chapel Hill study published in Dec, by the scientific journal, Geology, some crab, shrimp and lobster living in more acidic sea water actually grow thicker shells.

“We were surprised that some organisms didn’t behave in the way we expected under elevated CO2,” said study co-author Anne Cohen of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, in a statement. “We can’t assume that elevated (carbon dioxide) causes a proportionate decline in calcification of all calcifying organisms”

Science daily reports Justin B. Ries, an author of the study, thinks the shelled animals were “somehow able to manipulate CO2…to build their skeletons.”

While it is clear that some organisms are not negatively impacted by high dissolved carbon dioxide levels, researchers explain this may still be bad news for sensitive ocean ecosystems. Seven of the 18 shelled species were able to build more calcium carbonate shell, but National Geographic explains, “Ten types of organisms (including oysters, scallops, temperate corals and tube worms) had reduced calcification under elevated CO2, with several (hard and soft clams, conchs, periwinkles, whelks and tropical urchins) seeing their shells dissolve.”

The pencil urchin on the right was exposed to current CO2 levels; the smaller urchin was exposed to the higher CO2 levels in the study by the University of Chapel Hill.

Courtesy, Tom Kleindinst, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

This could also led to shifts in the predator-pray relationship. “There is no magic formula to predict how different species will respond, but one thing you can be sure of is that ecosystems as a whole will change because of these varied individual responses,” Ries said in a statement.

So, while it may be both interesting and surprising that a few organisms are benefiting from ocean acidification and global warming in general; it’s important to view ocean ecosystems on a larger scale. Larger, stronger shells might provide a temporary advantage, but food chains come full circle. Crabs for instance, feed on clams, which saw their shells dissolve in the acidic sea water. No matter how thick their shells grow crabs will always need something to eat. Perhaps thicker shells aren’t so advantageous for animals like crab, shrimp and lobster when it come to hunting for food.

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32inch lcd hdtv

With much difficulty, I have collected temperature data, as clinching evidence to prove my point.

 MEAN TEMPERTURE FOR THE YEARS 1951 TO 1980

 The mean temperature has been shown correct to one decimal point in the record whereas figures for 2007 are shown in round figures. So I have rounded off the mean temp. figures too,  for proper comparison.                

 Except in a few cases, there is remarkable similarity in temperature recorded 200 years ago and now ! This exposes the fallacy of global warm-mongers. In big cities like bombay the increase in temp may be due to huge concrete forests constructed and this can in no way be called global.                         

  Statement 2  (Mean temp. in degree Fahreheit)

Statement 3: Latitude and mean temperature

ANALYSIS OF TEMPERATURE DATA

 Figures speak the truth. The temperature data, comparing previous periods with the current period in respect of Indian and foreign cities are available in the statements above. Statement-1 shows temperature of Indian cities (both coastal and inland).

These have been collected from the meteorological department library at Mausam Bhawan, Delhi.

 You will see that in the cities mentioned below, the temperature has remained stable during the last 50 years.

 Bhuj, Bhawnagar, Surat, Punjim, Honavar, Alapuzha, Kakinada, Port Blair, Vishakhapatnam, Kolkata (temperature has actually decreased by 3 degrees), Bhubneswar (decreased by 3 degrees), Ajmer, Pune, Bangalore, Agartala, Alhabad, Kota, Madurai, Koimbature, Kolhapur, Udaipur, Nagpur.

 The increase in temperature by 5 degrees in Mumbai is glaring, especially when we see the temperature in Surat remaining stable. In other words, for Mumbai the reasons my be local and not global. This requires investigation. My guess is that the huge increase in concrete buildings in Mumbai has contributed to the increase in temperature.

 So far, I have been speaking about the maximum temperature. A scrutiny of the minimum temperatures reveals a certain trend of distinct increase.

 Bhuj, Bhavnagar, Mumbai, Ajmer, Pune, Hyderabad, Udaipur and Kanpur show increase in minimum temperature by 3 degree. If you total the minimum temperatures of all the cities,  then and now, there is an increase of 20degrees in respect of 15 inland stations whereas the maximum temperature in respect of the same stations show a decrease of 8 degrees. It should be remembered that the minimum temperature are recorded during winter months (December, January) when the sun is far away in the Southern hemisphere and this cannot be assigned to the heat radiated from the sun.  Mr. Milner has also written about the winter becoming milder over a period of time. In my younger days, I use to find it difficult to take bath in cold water in winter in Delhi. Now, excepting some days of severe cold mostly caused by heavy snowfall in the Himalayas, the water is not so cold.   The obvious inference is that this is actually global defreezing caused by geothermal energy.

 Statement 2 shows temperature variation over a wider period of 200 years. The figures for the previous period have been taken from Milner’s book which was published in 1853. As these figures are in Fahrenheit scale, current figures too are shown in the same scale. The figures in respect of the following stations indicate stability.

 Cairo, Algiers, Cincinnati, New York, Beijing (decrease of 3 degree), Paris Dublin, Copenhagen (decrease of 6 degree), Quebec, Petersburg, Bordeaux, Vienna (decrease of 4 degrees) – 12 out of 20 cities. London, Geneva and Paris show exceptional increase. However, it should be remembered that the increase is over a period of 200 years.

 A word of caution: the current data have been extracted from the website “World Weather Information Service” and so the authenticity has to be verified independently.

 A very reliable and scientific method for evaluation of the temperature of the globe, is latitude wise mean temperatures. Milner’s book shows 29 degree centigrade at equator, gradually and linearly decreasing to zero degree centigrade at the poles. I am unable to get corresponding figures for the current period. However, I could see from the website that figures remain almost constant, even though the figures for the polar region,  now shows as approaching minus 20 degree centigrade. This may be due to better technology being employed by scientific team exploring the polar regions. I have calculated the value of current mean temperatures in respect of a few stations, comparing this value with that shown in Milner’s book. These are given in statement 3.

 MELTING OF POLAR ICE CAP

 The density of water at zero degrees centigrade is 0.9999 grams per cm. The density of ice at zero degree centigrade is 0.9150. In other words, 1 cc of ice weights only 0.91 gm and hence will displace only 0.915cc of water, when the ice is floating in water. When the ice float, almost the whole of body sinks below the surface of water, expect a small portion projecting above the surface. In the North Pole area, there is no land. The crust of the earth forms a huge bowl filled with seawater and a huge mass of ice floating in it just like an ice cube placed in a bowl of water. The volume of ice submerged below the ice may be almost 9 times more than the icecap which we observe above the surface of water. The molecules covering the underwater portion of the icecap absorb heat from the sea water in which it floats and melt into water. This is a continuous process happening round the clock, allover the year, irrespective of summer or winter. As I have explained in my booklet, the necessary energy is supplied by the earth itself. The role of the Sun which shines only for a limited period is too insignificant to have any impact on this process. As the density of water is more than that of ice, the volume of water generated by the melting of ice is less than that of water originally occupied by the ice block in the ratio 9999:9150. Therefore the sea level will actually  come down because of the melting process. In practice, this may not happen because of the continuous deposition of snow in the polar region which will continuously push down the ice cap.

 A lot has been talked about the rising of sea level because of Global warming. This is a misconception. In some places, the sea level goes up and in other places, it recedes. This phenomenon has been extensively discussed in Milner’s geography.

 My contention can be tested by a simple experiment. Place ice cubes in a tumbler and fill it with water until the water overflows. Leave it until all the ice melts. Watch for any overflow of water during this process.

 I quote from Milner-page-513

Excessive summers

In 763 the summer was so hot that the springs dried up.

In 870 the heat was so intense ,that near Worms the reapers dropped dead in the fields.

In 993 and again in 994,it was so hot that the corn and fruits were burnt up.

The year 1000 was so hot and dry ,that, in Germany ,the pools of water disappeared ,and the fish ,being left in the mud ,bred pestilence.

In 1022 the heat was so excessive ,that both men and cattle were struck dead.

In 1130 the earth yawned with drought. Springs and rivers disappeared ,and even the Rhine was dried up in Alsace.

In 1159 not a drop of rain fell in Italy after the month of May.

The year 1171 was extremely hot in Germany.

In 1232 the heat was so great ,especially in Germany, that it is said that eggs were roasted in the sands.

In 1260 ,many of the Hungarian soldiers died of excessive heat at the famous battle fought near Buda.

The consecutive years of 1276 and 1277 were so hot and dry as to occasion a great scarcity of fodder.

The years 1293 and 1294 were extremely hot ;and so were likewise 1303 and 1304,both the Rhine and the Danube having dried up.                    

In 1333 the corn fields and vineyards were burnt up.

The years 1393 and 1394 were excessively hot and dry.

In 1447 the summer was extremely hot.

In the successive years 1473 and 1474 the whole earth seemed on fire. In Hungary , a person might wade across the Danube

The four consecutive years  1538, 1539 ,1540 ,and 1541 were excessively hot ;and the rivers dried up.

In1556 the drought was so great that the springs failed. In England wheat rose from 8 shillings to 53 shillings a quarter.

The years 1615 and 1616 were very dry all over Europe.

In 1646 it was excessively hot.

In1652 the warmth was  very great, the summer being the driest ever known in Scotland. A total eclipse had happened that year, on Monday the 24^th of March,which hence received the appellation of ‘Mirk Monday.’ 

The summer of 1679 was extremely hot.It is related ,that one of the minions tyranny ,who in that calamitous period, harassed the poor Presbyterians in Scotland with captious questions, having asked a shepherd in Fife ,whether the killing of a notorious Sharp, Archbishop of  St.Andrews, which had happened in May,was murder; he replied , that he could not tell, but there had been fine weather ever since.

The year 1700 was excessively warm, and the two following years were of the same description.

In 1718 the weather was extremely hot and dry all over Europe. The air felt so oppressive that all the theatres were shut in Paris. Scarcely any rain fell for the space of nine months and the springs and rivers were dried up. The following year was equally hot. The thermometer at Paris rose to 98 degree Fahrenheit. The grass and corn were quite parched.

In some places the fruit trees blossomed two and three times.

Both the years 1723 and 1724 were dry and hot.

The year 1745 was remarkably warm and dry; but the following year was still hotter insomuch that the grass withered, and the leaves dropped from the trees .Neither rain nor dew fell for several months ; and ,on the continent, prayers were offered up in all the churches to implore the bounty of refreshing showers.

In 1748 the summer was again very warm.

In 1754 it was likewise extremely warm.

The years 1760 and 1761 were both of them remarkably hot, and so was the year 1763.

In 1774 it was excessively hot and dry.

Both the years 1778 and 1779 were warm and very dry.

The year 1788 was also very hot and dry ;and of the same character was 1811 ,famous for its excellent vintage, and distinguished by the appearance of a brilliant comet.

Marc Guitard recommends a 41km hike in Fundy National Park, Canada.

Marc writes:

It’s a truly wild coastal area along the Bay of Fundy which has the world’s highest tides. There are 2 river crossings that have to be timed at low tide or else they are otherwise inpassable.

They rate it as 41 kms, but is in fact close to 50km when you include the ‘approach’ Goose River Trail, (8-9km) – part of Fundy National Park, but is necessary to walk to reach the start of the actual Fundy Footpath.

There is a more touristy (driveable) section of the coast called the “Fundy Trail” but it is not the same thing. The Fundy Footpath actually spans from Fundy National Park TO the Fundy Trail.

Recommended 4 days.

details on CanadaTrails.ca – Hiking the Fundy Footpath

A salmon is netted off the Queen Charlotte Islands, British Columbia. Recently a panel recommended closing large portions of Southern California to fishing.

Courtesy, Debra J. @ Picasa

Earlier this month the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) Blue Ribbon Task Force recommended large portions of Southern California coastline be closed to fishing. Areas recommended for closer included Laguna Beach, La Jolla and Point Dume. The panel did; however, suggest that fishing should continue near Point Loma, Palos Verdes Peninsula and parts of Catalina Island. The decision reflects a compromise between conservation interests and those of the fishing community.

Earlier this month the Marine Life Protection Act Blue Ribbon Task Force recommended closing large portions of Southern California coastline to fishing. Areas recommended for closer included Laguna Beach, La Jolla and Point Dume. The panel did; however, suggest that fishing should continue near Point Loma, Palos Verdes Peninsula and parts of Catalina Island. The decision reflects a compromise between conservation interests and those of the fishing community.

The closures are in response to declining fish populations all along the California Coast. The LA Times is reporting rockfish and cod populations “have fallen by as much as 95%. Populations of lobster, sea urchin, squid, sea bass, yellowtail and swordfish have all been in sharp decline. Fisheries experts have argued that some of those species could disappear entirely if steps were not taken to create no-fishing zones where breeding stocks could be replenished.”

Despite the compromise, some members of the fishing community have expressed concern with the economic effects of closing off some locations. Thelog.com a California fishing and boating website, quoted Bob Fletcher, former president of the Sportfishing Association of California. “Proposal 2 has a high conservation value that is relatively the same as other proposals but would have the least economic impact on southern California — particularly San Diego, where fishing and boating is an integral component of the local economy. The Blue Ribbon Task Force chooses to ignore Proposal 2, in favor of its own version.”

The Blue Ribbon Panel’s decision will be presented to the Fish and Game Commission on Dec 9. The panel’s decision to close parts of California’s coast mirrors other closures around the world. In July 2004, legislation took effect that put an end all fishing in one third of the Great Barrier Reef. Prior to the closure the reef, which stretches 1,430 miles off Australia’s eastern coast, was entirely open to commercial fishing. The fishing was causing major damage to sensitive coral reefs according to National Geographic.

Elsewhere in the world fishing closures have already been proven to replenish fisheries. In 2007, the New York Times reported that fishing closures on Palau’s main island of Babeldaob resulted in more fish. After a decade of overfishing on Palau, a tiny island state 600 miles east of the Philippines, all fishing was halted in 1994. In an interview with Ratu Aisea Katonivere, a traditional Palau chief, he told the New York Times, after a few years without fishing, “The fish are closer and bigger. They are coming back; it’s a miracle.

The Island of Babeldaob

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After a decade of over-fishing, fish are starting to come back to the island of Babeldaob, as a result of limitations on fishing implemented in 1994.

On average most first time photographs of the ocean are sky, sea, and sand, agree? After you figure this out you will begin to want more variety because, like counting sheep, a hundred photos of sand will put you to sleep. Adding rocks and a sunset sky can really make things more interesting but will that give a portfolio the variety it needs to stand out among others? As photographers we all lose a viewers interest eventually but it is necessary to keep interest as long as possible.

Images like this can anchor portfolios but can become repititve.

Most portfolios don’t go beyond a sunset set sky, rocks and moving surf. You will need to show something more to hold a viewers interest while they look through your work. Once you’ve mastered capturing the light you might begin to crave other things that are the complete opposite of what you ordinarily see while visiting the sea. Just a quick walk around with an open mind before you pull out the camera will bring so many different opportunistic subjects to your attention. This goes beyond sea stacks, cliffs, and tide pools. Here is very useful list that may help you in your search to diversify your seascape portfolio.

The main colors orange and green here are not often associated with beach scenery.