Flood Board Votes To Continue Oil & Gas Lawsuit

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A Louisianaflood control board has declined to withdraw its lawsuit against oil and gas companies over coastal erosion, but is also raising the possibility that it might suspend at least some of its activity on the suit.

Gov. Bobby Jindal and his coastal protection chief have strongly opposed the lawsuit which seeks damages over loss of coastal wetlands that provide a natural buffer from storms.

The decision to continue the suit was approved Thursday by the Southeast LouisianaFlood Protection Authority-East. The board then approved a motion stating the authority would consider a 45-day suspension of work advancing "substantive" issues on the suit while discussing the issues with the state.

However, the board did not define "substantive," nor did they say when such a suspension might start.