Governor Jindal Presses For More Federal Support In Oil Response Efforts
Governor Jindal today met with DHS Sec. Napolitano, Dept. of Interior Sec. Salazar, EPA Administrator Jackson, White House Energy Dir. Browner, Coast Guard’s Admiral Landry, and BP officials at the Shell Robert Training & Conference Center in Robert, LA.
The Governor received an update on the efforts to respond to the oil spilling into the Gulf and stressed the need for federal support resources that have already been requested by the state from federal agencies.
Governor Jindal said, “I appreciate Secretary Salazar, Secretary Napolitano and Secretary Jackson for coming down to Louisiana and seeing first-hand the response efforts. As I told the President yesterday, we’re urging the federal government and BP to deploy more resources to help mitigate the impact of the oil spill that is threatening the coast of our state.
“We must do everything we can to contain the oil spill that threatens our wildlife and vast natural resources. And I am worried that the booms as currently deployed are not effective. The areas that will be impacted first by this oil spill are critical and fragile coastal sites. These next few days are critical and that’s why we must do everything necessary to protect our coasts.
“I do have concerns that BP’s current resources are not adequate to meet the three challenges we face and I have urged them to seek more help. The three challenges we face are stopping the leak, protecting our coasts and preparation for a swift clean up of the impacted areas. We’ve been working with local officials to access their needs and help them request resources from BP and the Coast Guard. It’s critical that the Coast Guard and BP uphold their commitment and responsibility to provide resources to the coastal areas that could be affected by this spill. On the state side, we’re taking every step we can to help protect our coasts, wildlife, environment and our people.”
State Requests for Federal Support
Specifically, Governor Jindal outlined the specific federal support the state has formally requested from its federal partners.
Governor Jindal said, “Last night I sent letters to Secretary Gates and Secretary Napolitano requesting that the Louisiana National Guard be placed under federal Title 32 status so that we can mobilize the resources of the Louisiana National Guard. This will provide support for at least 90 days of military duty from up to 6,000 soldiers and airmen serving on active duty in support of our response to the threat of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill.
“The National Guard will provide security, medical capabilities, engineers, clean-up efforts and communication support in response to this threat. After helping our state respond and recover from four storms in three years, the Guard is ready to help us respond to this oil spill. If the Department of Defense approves the request, the Louisiana National Guard is prepared to have 600 guardsmen on the ground as part of the first deployment.
“We’re also working to make sure that our fisheries and small businesses are protected from the oil spill. We have written the U.S. Secretary of Commerce requesting the declaration of a commercial fisheries failure as well as support from the Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration for commercial and recreational fishing businesses.
“This declaration will provide financial assistance to individual fishermen, assistance for the restoration of fisheries and assistance for commercial and recreational fishing businesses. Louisiana is the top producer of commercial fisheries in the lower 48 states and one of the top recreational fishing destinations in the nation. The oil spill will adversely affect the productivity of this ecosystem and fishing families across our state. It’s critical that our fishermen and their families have the type of support they need to get through this event.
“We have also asked the U.S. Small Business Administration to activate all appropriate federal disaster declaration clauses that would enable the SBA to assist the small businesses in the state that will be impacted by the oil spill. Specifically, we’re asking the SBA to consider temporarily suspending loan repayments for coastal businesses that are impacted by the oil spill and also those who have 2005 and 2008 SBA disaster and economic injury loans as a result of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Ike and Gustav.”
State Action – Emergency Declaration
The Governor also stressed the state action taken to respond to the oil spilling into the Gulf, including his proclamation of a state of emergency to support local and state response efforts to the incident.
Governor Jindal said, “I declared a state of emergency yesterday to ready the deployment of state assets.
“Our Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority officials are opening the Caernarvon Diversion in Plaquemines Parish and the Davis Pond Diversion in St. Charles Parish to try to help prevent any oil from penetrating deep into coastal marshes.
“CPRA is also working on a second line of defense in the wetlands where you would anchor the booms in place.
“The Department of Corrections is also working with the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to train inmates in oil spill clean-up efforts so they can assist the federal lead agencies.
“LDWF is also training National Guard trainers so they can train the guardsmen, and the Guard is in the process of ordering 1,500 suits so their soldiers can handle material affected by oil.
“We have offered these resources repeatedly to BP and we are still waiting for a response from them.
In a precautionary move, the Department of Health and Hospitals is working with Wildlife and Fisheries to close oyster beds along the eastern Louisiana coast. Specifically, they will be closing harvesting Areas 2 through 7 at sunset tonight, which are east of the Mississippi River in the coastal parishes of Plaquemines and St. Bernard.
“We’ve been told by BP they have 20 rapid response teams. Ten have been mobilized and there will be 50 in place. We have offered BP personnel to help clean-up wetlands from State Police, DEQ and DNR among other agencies
“Today, our office of Homeland Security is reaching out to other states through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact to identify oil spill coordinators.
“The Office of Homeland Security is also deploying staff to Plaquemines Parish and St. Bernard Parish to assist their emergency responders with the oil spill effort. We have also set up a mobile command center here in Robert and today we are also sending a mobile command center to the Coast Guard’s site in Houma.
“The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has closed the Lower Breton Sound area to shrimpers and they plan to close the upper Breton sound area at 6PM tonight. Additionally, LDWF has deployed 40 field biologists and they have 160 additional biologists staged for wildlife rescues.”
Air Quality Monitoring
The Governor also spoke about air quality monitoring efforts the Department of Environmental Quality and the Department of Health and Hospitals are conducting with the support of the federal Environmental Protection Agency.
Governor Jindal said, “The Department of Environmental Quality has 40 regional staff members with oil spill and hazard experience deployed. DEQ and the Department of Health and Hospitals have reported that residents of coastal areas of southeast Louisiana, including New Orleans, may be detecting an odor possibly resulting from the oil spill approaching the Louisiana coast.
“DHH and DEQ have requested continuous air quality testing and monitoring from the EPA, and DEQ will be assisting the EPA by increasing the frequency of air sampling at its Kenner and Chalmette monitors. These samples will receive expedited turnaround by EPA labs.
“The EPA is also deploying mobile air quality units that can travel throughout coastal parishes to quickly check air quality information and ensure the safety of residents. At this time, they are reporting there are no harmful levels of contaminants in the air.”
State Preparing Plans for Special Needs Shelters
Governor Jindal also announced today that the state is beginning to preparing their plans to open special needs shelters in the event that the air quality deteriorates to harmful levels, which would be especially harmful to those with preexisting medical conditions.
Governor Jindal said, “Out of an abundance of caution, I have activated the joint Department of Transportation-Dept of Social Services shelter team in case special needs sheltering becomes necessary due to deteriorating air quality.”
Governor Meeting with Coastal Leaders
Governor Jindal also announced that later today he would meet with the presidents of Plaquemines and St. Bernard Parishes and tour the spill area by helicopter.
Governor Jindal said, “Later this afternoon, I will be traveling to Venice and other impacted areas along with Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser and St. Bernard Parish President Craig Taffaro to assess the needs of our local officials and see first-hand the response efforts that are taking place. We will continue to take every step we can to help protect our coasts, wildlife, environment and our people.”
Topics: 2010, BP, British Petroleum, business, coastline, Deepwater Horizon, Economy, emergency response, environment, environmental impact, fire, GOHSEP, Governance, government, Governor Bobby Jindal, Gulf of Mexico, Louisiana, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, moniter, monitor, National Guard, natural disaster, news, Obama Administration, Oil Rig, oil rig explosion, oil spill, Oil Spill Coordinator, Oil Spill Coordinators Office, oil spill response efforts, pollution, President Obama, small business, state of emergency, state police, U.S., UCG, Unified Command Group, United States, White House
Print This Article in Plain Text
|
|
Latest Headlines
- Osama Bin Laden Dead?
- Florida To Share $1 Billion For Gulf Coast Restoration Efforts
- Texas Prays For Rain During Extreme Drought Conditions
- Governor Christie Takes Action To Reduce Diesel Emissions, Improve Air Quality
- Governor McDonnell Outlines Draft Transportation Improvement Program
- Alaska Energy Bill Passes Legislature
- Illinois State Building Receives ENERGY STAR Award
- Homeland Security Begins Using National Terrorism Advisory System
- U.S. Outlines New Health Insurance Options For Graduating College Students
- Electrolux Expands In North Carolina, To Create 200 Jobs In Charlotte
- Virginia Storm Victims To Receive Tax Extension
- U.S. Expands Broadband Investment For Rural Areas To Accelerate Job Creation
- U.S. To Invest $130 Million For Advanced Energy Research
- Michigan Passes “I’m Sorry” Bill
- Kentucky Sells Two State Aircraft To Save Taxpayer Dollars
