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Bogalusa, La. - There are dramatic new developments concerning the cleanup of that massive fish kill that covers more than 40 miles of the Pearl River.

The State of Mississippi is stepping up to lend a hand in flushing out the low stagnant water way filled with dead fish. It all starts with a crucial supply of water in Jackson, Mississippi.

Mississippi officials have opened the Ross Barnett Spillway to feed fresh water into the Pearl River. The spillway's reservoir provides a water supply for the City of Jackson but also is a direct line to the river.

North Shore state Senator A.G. Crowe, R-Slidell, says the opening will increase the water flow tenfold - enough to fill a backyard swimming pool every a couple of seconds.

“The idea would be going from 200 cubic feet per second to 2,000 cubic feet per second. That's big news from the state of Mississppi for us here,” Crowe said.

Crowe says he met with officials at Temple Inland Paper Mill in Bogalusa. Company executives believe they exceeded the allowed waste water discharge levels and that may have lowered oxygen in the river.

Although their blame in the fish kill is not definitive, the company says it wants to clean up the river. They plan on hiring a Baton Rouge firm to begin cleaning up the fish.
The cause of the fish kill is still under investigation by DEQ.

St. Tammany Parish President Kevin Davis has issued a state of emergency. That allows the parish to request state assistance for the affected area