[StBernard] Oil Disaster Press Release for St. Bernard Parish 05/04/2010

[Westley Annis]

Governor Bobby Jindal visited the Command Center at Breton Sound to meet
with St. Bernard Parish Officials and confirmed his commitment to expedite
needed materials     
BP has set up a claims number for commercial fisherman
 
Governor Bobby Jindal arrived at the Command Center at Breton Sound in St.
Bernard Parish this afternoon. The Governor spoke with St. Bernard Parish
officials, as well as local fisherman, and pledged his support to expedite
the supply line of materials needed for the current efforts and also for any
clean-up that will be needed. 
 
It has been confirmed by the US Coast Guard that small patches of oil sheen
and even smaller patches of oil slick have been spotted in and around the
Chandeleur Islands. Additionally, it has been reported that the main mass of
crude oil appears to have stayed near the immediate vicinity of the source.
St.  Bernard Parish officials have continued their efforts with BP to deploy
boom in needed areas of St. Bernard waters and marshes. 5,000 more soft boom
was deployed today. The exact projection flow of the oil will be more
accurate once aerial assessments are conducted by the US Coast Guard later
today.
 
The Coast Guard continued their skimming efforts today. Overall, skimmers
have recovered 24,000 barrels of oily/water mix.
 
Subsurface disbursing testing continued over the past 24 hours, which
injected disbursant at the site of the oil leaks underwater to determine how
effective the disbursant is at breaking up the oil. So as to not disrupt the
subsurface testing and possibly alter the result, no further oil burning has
occurred on the surface of the water. Additionally, if weather permits,
aerial dispursant activities will resume today and into tomorrow.
 
In preparation for possible shoreline clean-up, BP has pledged to help
recruit and deploy volunteers to the affected areas as needed. Over 700
fishing vessels have signed up for disaster efforts, and 1,000 are expected.
3,000 have been trained in how to deal with oil if it in fact does come
ashore. Additionally, in response to issues being raised, BP quickly stopped
requiring waivers and have continued using a standard contract.
 
The US Coast Guard has stated that commercial vessel traffic is not being
adversely impacted as of yet. The Minerals Management Service remains in
contact with oil and gas operators in the sheen area. 
 
The impact from the oil spill on wildlife has been minor. Four oiled birds
were seen, two of which were recovered and are being treated appropriately.
There are currently two wildlife trailers operating out of Gulfport, MS for
such instances. A toll-free number has been established to report oiled or
injured wildlife. That number is 1-800-557-1401. Additionally, the head of
Animal Control in St. Bernard Parish, Beth Brewster, has been trained to
handle affected animals and is standing by to do so.
 
N.O.A.A. will soon begin to test oysters and other seafood to see what sort
of impact the oil spill has had on these species. 
 
BP has set up a claims hotline for commercial fisherman can call to make a
claim. Additionally, BP has committed to supply a month's wages to impacted
commercial fisherman.  BP representatives have confirmed that once a claim
is filed, there will be no wait in getting the claim fulfilled. The number
to call to make a claim is 1-800-440-0858. St. Bernard officials have been
notified that BP intends to open claims centers in St. Bernard Parish in the
near future. When these locations are finalized information regarding them
will be released immediately. It is being asked that all fisherman who
attempt to access this program to please call St. Bernard Parish EOC and
report the effectiveness of this program. That number is 1-504-278-4268.
 
All registered fisherman have been designated into teams and given
responsibilities in their respective zones. Fishermen can continue to sign
up through the website at www.sbpg.net <http://www.sbpg.net/>  at the
Contact Us button, by email to kbazile at sbpg.net <mailto:kbazile at sbpg.net>
or by phone to the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness at
504-278-4268. All volunteering fishermen must include the Vessel Name,
Owner/Captain Name, Contact phone, email and address, Vessel Length,
Horsepower and Draft. 

 

Fishermen will be personally contacted to attend training sessions. No one
may attend if they have not been contacted. Additionally, access has been
restricted at Shell Beach and Breton Sound. Fishermen are asked to not
report to the launch points without proper authorization. Because St.
Bernard commercial fishermen have been financially impacted by the spill,
St. Bernard is focusing on linking the fishermen with BP's Vessel of
Opportunity program so they will be compensated for their efforts.

 

Please monitor the news for additional information. Updates also will be
posted on the parish website at www.sbpg.net <http://www.sbpg.net/> .

 

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