Since Louisiana's saltwater intrusion is still happening, U.S. President Joe Biden decided to approve a new federal disaster assistance.
The emergency declaration for the state was signed by the American leader on Wednesday, Sept. 27. Can it really help prevent the negative effects of saltwater intrusion?
Biden Says Yes to Louisiana's Federal Disaster Assistance
According to Fox News' latest report, the new federal disaster assistance is specifically to help Louisiana combat the alarming saltwater intrusion, which threatens the drinking water supplies in the state's southern areas.
Joe Biden's approval of the emergency declaration for Louisiana will enable the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to coordinate the state's disaster relief efforts.
Aside from this, federal disaster assistance will also offer more federal funds, equipment, and other critical resources to address the ongoing saltwater intrusion.
"I'm grateful to the Biden administration for making this request a priority and responding quickly to help the people of South Louisiana," said Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards.
Meanwhile, FEMA official said that the department's disaster relief fund is already depleted, with only around $2.4 billion remaining as of Sept. 19. As of press time, it is unclear how much federal funds will be provided to Louisiana.
Since FEMA's budgets are on track to lose even more before October arrives, officials are calling out the Congress to pass a bill that will replenish the losses of FEMA's funding.
What to Know About Louisiana's Saltwater Intrusion
CNN Politics reported that the saltwater intrusion is caused by the extreme drought that is spreading across parts of the Mississippi River Basin.
Previously, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell warned that the rising saltwater levels could negatively impact drinking water supplies for over 1 million residents in the city, as well as its surrounding parishes.
"The rate of fresh water flowing down the Mississippi River has been low due to extended drought conditions in Louisiana and across the Mississippi River Valley," said Bel Edwards.
The state's governor added that the historic low flow conditions cause the saltwater to make an intrusion from the Gulf of Mexico and go its way upriver.
Since the saltwater intrusion is a serious issue for Louisiana, many governmental departments and organizations are assisting the state.
One of them is the United States Army Corps of Engineers, which plans to bring 36 million gallons of fresh water daily to New Orleans as soon as October.
