Some years ago, it was suggested by this newspaper that the state invest in a new kind of boat developed in Europe. It could suck up sand offshore from the bottom of the sea into its hull and then travel to our coast where the sand would be pumped out to help build up barrier islands that are eroding away.
Louisiana could have bought a couple of those boats and put them to work. They could have built up the islands and helped preserve our wetlands then and today they would be helping to stop the oil that is threatening the livelihoods of coastal residents.
It is too late for those boats to help in our current disaster but we should keep them in mind for future use. After the oil leak is capped – – hopefully – – we need to look at a permanent solution to the invasion of the Gulf of Mexico into Louisiana, whether it is oily or not.
Regardless of how we do it, we need to keep the Louisiana coast intact. And we are convinced that the federal government can’t do it, as it can’t do so many other things.
Gov. Bobby Jindal should take it on his shoulders to bear this load that could save the future of our wonderful state. Only local leaders have the insight to do it right.
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