[StBernard] St. Bernard Parish President Issues Statement Regarding Oil Impact in Marshes and Beaches in Plaquemines; some fishermen's checks to be issued tomorrow

[Westley Annis]

St. Bernard Parish President Issues Statement Regarding Oil Impact in
Marshes and Beaches in Plaquemines Parish




Oil response efforts continued in St. Bernard Parish with an additional
9,000 feet of soft boom deployed today to Brush Island.

In response to photos recently issued by state officials showing oil
impacting Pass a Loutre, South Pass in Plaquemines Parish, St. Bernard
Parish President Craig Taffaro Jr. stated, "They illustrate the exact
concern for the damage to our wetlands and marshes. Our concern is how much
greater damage will be done when the full effects of the impacts are
realized." The photos can be seen here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lagohsep/sets/72157623963465587/
<http://www.flickr.com/photos/lagohsep/sets/72157623963465587/>

The new rotation list of fisherman who will work for St. Bernard in the
Vessels of Opportunity Program will be finalized tomorrow and posted on the
St. Bernard Parish Government website at www.sbpg.net and at all three
Command Centers.

Team 3 is scheduled to be paid tomorrow, Wednesday May 19th at 5 p.m. in the
lobby at the Government Complex. Teams 4-11 are scheduled to be paid on
Monday, May 24th at 5 p.m. at the Government Complex.

Oil response training classes, open to St. Bernard Parish residents only,
will be held at 9 a.m. only, this Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The
training is taking place in the Frederick J. Sigur Civic Center Grand
Ballroom, located at 8245 W. Judge Perez Drive in Chalmette. This class
covers HazMat Tiers 1,2&3, it is a FREE 4-hour class. Seating is limited to
200 and will be served on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Press who want to access to any Command Center should call ahead and receive
prior approval from Jennifer Belsom. Belsom can be reached at 504-444-6249
or jbelsom at sbpg.net <mailto:jbelsom at sbpg.net> .



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