I have actually been in a meeting where that Leo Dotson guy made comments and his comments were pretty off the wall. But otherwise the story is really unfair. Like the fishing guide guy they start the video with. He pretty much explicitly said he doesn't deny what's happening.
If you live down here you have heard a lot of discussion about factors contributing to coastal wetlands loss. Here is a USGS discussion of the issue:
https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/la-wetlands/
A quote:
Of course sea level rise is a factor. You can see a side note on that in the USGS report. But it's not "the" issue or even anywhere close to the most important issue. You could eliminate the climate change issue with very little impact on the problem of Louisiana coastal wetlands loss.Natural processes alone are not responsible for the degradation and loss of wetlands in the Mississippi River delta plain. The seasonal flooding that previously provided sediments critical to the healthy growth of wetlands has been virtually eliminated by construction of massive levees that channel the river for nearly 2000 kilometers; sediment carried by the river is now discharged far from the coast, thereby depriving wetlands of vital sediment. In addition, throughout the wetlands, an extensive system of dredged canals and flood-control structures, constructed to facilitate hydrocarbon exploration and production as well as commercial and recreational boat traffic, has enabled salt water from the Gulf of Mexico to intrude brackish and freshwater wetlands. Moreover, forced drainage of the wetlands to accommodate development and agriculture also contribute to wetlands deterioration and loss.
The CNN reporter clearly does not understand the issue. It's another one of those situations where I see a situation that I have some knowledge about depicted in the media and see that the media people involved simply don't understand. It's not intentional fake news or anything. They just don't know.
