Collection:LPB

Genre: Newsmagazine

Place Covered: Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1997-03-28

Duration: 00:19:09

Subjects: Environment | Mississippi River floods, 1997 | Bonnet Carre Spillway | United States. Army. Corps of Engineers | Fisheries

Contributors:

• Collins, Robert Host
• Duhe, Jeff Reporter
• Barisich, George Interviewee
• Gerica, Peter Interviewee
• Connor, Bill Interviewee

This segment from the March 28, 1997, episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” features Jeff Duhe’s report on the Mississippi River flooding in southeast Louisiana and the United States Army Corps of Engineers’ decision to open the Bonnet Carre Spillway. His report includes interviews with fishermen George Barisich and Peter Gerica, who discuss the impact of the opening of the Bonnet Carre Spillway on fisheries. Duhe then interviews Colonel Bill Connor, the district engineer for the New Orleans office of the United States Army Corps of Engineers. He discusses: the history of the Mississippi River levee system; why the Corps decided to open the Bonnet Carre Spillway on March 17th; the environmental concerns when opening the spillway; and why the Corps did not open the Morganza Spillway. Host: Robert Collins