Biloxi Mayor Calls on Coast Mayors for Meeting to Address Spillway Opening Effects

The opening of another Louisiana spillway this year has prompted Biloxi’s mayor to issue a call to action.

Louisiana officials have twice opened the Bonnet Carre Spillway this year to alleviate flooding.

It’s been 80 years since that spillway was opened twice in one year, and marine life experts here on the Coast point to the record-breaking number of dead dolphins and sea turtles washing up on our beaches to illustrate how this is adversely affecting South Mississippi’s marine life and environment.

Last month alone, 28 dolphins and 73 turtles washed ashore in Mississippi.

Biloxi Mayor Andrew “Fofo” Gilich is urging other South Mississippi mayors and marine officials to meet later today to come up with a unified plan to help battle this problem.

As it stands now, no Mississippi officials have a say in the opening of the Bonnet Carre Spillway, although marine experts say the freshwater release from the spillway’s opening is pushing fresh water and pollution into the Mississippi Sound with tragic effects.

Meanwhile, Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood has asked the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for more information regarding the need to open the Bonnet Carre Spillway.

We’ll keep you posted.