Councilmembers Survey Impact of Oil Spill on
Barataria Basin and Grand Isle
Barataria Basin and Grand Isle
New Orleans, LA – June 4, 2010 - City Councilmembers toured the Barataria Basin and Grand Isle by boat yesterday afternoon to get a first-hand look at the effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil leak on the region’s coast.
Council President Arnie Fielkow, Council Vice President Jacquelyn Brechtel Clarkson and District “C” Councilmember Kristin Gisleson Palmer all participated in the boat tour, which began in the town of Jean Lafitte and was organized by Jefferson Parish Councilmembers Thomas Capella and Chris Roberts, Jean Lafitte Mayor Tim Kerner, Grand Isle Mayor David Camardelle and the Grand Isle Council.The boat tour was followed by a briefing at Grand Isle Community Center on the impacts of the oil spill, during which elected officials discussed the imminent need for action. As oil continues to move toward estuaries near Jean Lafitte, local leaders called for the immediate creation of berms with dredging equipment to stop oil from entering inland estuaries and wetlands. These estuaries make up a critical part of the natural environment that supports the entire southeast economy.
Officials expressed concern about the fact that, while Alabama and Mississippi have already received deep sea heavy duty boom to protect coastal waterways, Louisiana has yet to receive any, despite having made requests for the boom throughout the last month. The local leaders also emphasized the need for regional unity and strength, as the nation continues to focus its attention on the Gulf region during this critical time.
Councilmembers also spoke with Governor Bobby Jindal about the challenges that Louisiana and the Gulf region face in the wake of the oil spill. Jindal thanked the City Council and Mayor Landrieu for their active and united voice in support of the state’s efforts to fight the effects of the spill.
Council President Arnie Fielkow said, “Today’s visit to Lafitte and Grand Isle was highly informative and, quite frankly, eye opening. The oil spill, and its aftermath, is having a terrible effect on our regional small businesses, especially those involved in the fishing industry. It is incumbent upon BP and our federal government to do whatever is necessary to protect the citizens and businesses being affected. The City of New Orleans and our City Council stand arm in arm in support of our fellow regional government leaders as we collectively battle against one of the worst man-made disasters in U.S. history.”
Following the briefing, Councilmembers toured Grand Isle beach, where they observed thick cakes of tar on the beach. Miles of boom could be seen just offshore to prevent the oil from washing further ashore.Council Vice President Jacquelyn Brechtel Clarkson said, ”This disaster reaches much farther than the beaches we saw covered with oil. It threatens our natural estuaries and wetlands, our state and regional economy, our natural protection from hurricanes, and a generational way of life for our residents. We must stand together as a region and convince the nation that this crisis will have far-reaching, nationwide effects and demands creative and effective intervention from the federal government and BP.”
After touring the beach, Councilmembers returned to Jean Lafitte, where they met with Senator Mary Landrieu. Senator Landrieu discussed with Councilmembers her priorities for response to the oil leak – facilitating the claims process for affected families and pushing for construction of berms to guard the coast.
District “C” Councilmember Kristin Gisleson Palmer said, “The breadth of this oil spill is overwhelming. It has not only affected our fragile wetlands, it has had a substantial impact on the livelihoods of the people in the area. After having the opportunity to see first hand the devastation this man-made disaster has caused, I believe we must continue to stand by our neighbors while firmly holding BP’s feet to the fire to cap the well and clean up our coastline.”
To view video footage of the Councilmembers’ tour of the oil-affected coast, click here.
