Louisiana Governor Jindal Requests National Guard For Gulf Oil Spill
Governor Bobby Jindal sent the following letters to the Secretaries of the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security requesting that the Louisiana National Guard be utilized to support the oil spill response efforts under federal Title 32 status.
By sending this letter, the Governor is preparing to mobilize the resources of the Louisiana National Guard and seeking reimbursement in support of their efforts being coordinated by the federal lead agencies.
Today, Governor Bobby Jindal issued a state declaration of emergency in preparation for predicted impact of oil along the Louisiana coast leaking from the Deepwater Horizon which threatens the state’s natural resources.
Reports indicate that part of the oil sheen from the Gulf oil rig explosion has broke off and will now reach Louisiana’s coast earlier than previously expected.
Governor Jindal spoke with Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano this evening to request additional resources from the federal government as the state prepares for the potential impact of the oil spill.
Reports this evening indicate that the oil spill could reach the state’s coast by Thursday.
Governor Jindal said, “We learned late this afternoon that National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration models now show the oil spill could reach our coast sooner than expected. At this time, the Pass-A-Loutre Wildlife Management Area is expected to see the first impact of the oil spill.
“I spoke with Secretary Napolitano this evening to outline the state’s needs as we brace for the impact of the oil spill on our coast. We appreciate the efforts to date of the Coast Guard and BP as the lead parties. As the oil spill comes closer to our coast, we have asked for additional resources from the Coast Guard and BP as we work to mitigate the impact of the spill on our state.
“By relying on models from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, we have identified areas that are in need of additional oil containment booms. We have requested additional booms to cover all the coastal areas that will be impacted by the oil spill. These will protect our coasts and fisheries in the event the oil reaches our shores. We also asked Secretary Napolitano that response teams be on-the-ground and ready to respond when the oil spill reaches our coast.
“Earlier today, we also spoke with BP and requested these same resources, which they agreed to provide.
“Our top priority is to protect our citizens and the environment. These resources are critical to mitigating the impact of the oil spill on our coast.”
The state’s emergency web site – www.Emergency.Louisiana.gov – has been activated and will serve as a central point of information for residents affected by the potential oil effects on Louisiana’s coast.
To report oiled or injured wildlife,
please call 1-866-557-1401.
To discuss spill related damage claims,
please call 1-800-440-0858.
To report oil on land, or for general Community and Volunteer Information,
please call 1-866-448-5816.
The federal government has launched an informational website about the response to the oil leak. It is online at www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com.
Full Letters Below:
Honorable Robert M. Gates
Secretary of Defense
U.S. Department of Defense
Pentagon
Washington, DC 20310
Dear Secretary Gates:
I request that you approve funding for at least 90 days of military duty in Title 32 USC 502(f) status for 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 to the State of Louisiana. Title 32 status will allow the members of the National Guard supporting the response to the oil spill to receive military retirement points, health insurance and disability protection.
I am requesting that you consider funding this mission by arranging for an Economy Act transaction pursuant to 31 USC, Chapter 1535, such that environmental disaster funds available to other Federal Agencies can be employed. Further, in accordance with the Oil Pollution Control Act of 1990, Title 33 USC, Chapter 40 Section 2702, the owners of the Deepwater Horizon facility responsible for this oil spill should be required to provide full reimbursement for all costs and damages associated with the oil spill as well as the recovery efforts in the State of Louisiana.
The President has designated the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill as an event of “National Significance.” Currently the oil spill is projected to reach the coast of Louisiana today, April 29, 2010. I am prepared to order the Louisiana National Guard to state active duty in order to respond to this threat to Louisiana’s fragile coast line. Louisiana is host to several federal wildlife refuges and management areas which are in the direct path of the oil spill. The Pass-a-Loutre Wildlife Management Area at the mouth of the Mississippi River is predicted to be the first wildlife refuge affected by the oil spill.
The National Guard will provide security, medical capabilities, engineers and communication support in response to this threat. Currently, our Soldiers and Airmen are staging for and are engaged in the planning of the effort to evacuate and provide security and clean up for the coastal communities expected to be impacted by the oil spill. They are engaged in the protection of vital infrastructure to include medical facilities, fuel distribution, interstate highways, water-ice distribution and power facilities which are all vital to the recovery of coastal Louisiana.
I believe these National Guard operations are necessary and appropriate to protect this region of our nation from a significant national event with potential catastrophic loss of natural resources. Louisiana is home to many federal and state military facilities including the NSA New Orleans, the operations of which could be effected.
Thank you for consideration of this request.
Sincerely,
cc: The Honorable Janet Napolitano
________________________________________
Honorable Janet Napolitano
Secretary of Homeland Security
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Washington, DC 20528
Dear Secretary Napolitano:
I have requested that Secretary of Defense Gates approve funding for at least 90 days of military duty in Title 32 USC 502(f) status for 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 to the State of Louisiana. Title 32 status will allow the members of the National Guard supporting the response to the oil spill to receive military retirement points, health insurance and disability protection.
I ask your assistance in funding this mission by arranging for an Economy Act transaction pursuant to 31 USC, Chapter 1535, such that environmental disaster funds available to other Federal Agencies can be employed. Further, in accordance with the Oil Pollution Control Act of 1990, Title 33 USC, Chapter 40 Section 2702, the owners of the Deepwater Horizon facility responsible for this oil spill should be required to provide full reimbursement for all costs and damages associated with the oil spill as well as the recovery efforts in the State of Louisiana.
The President has designated the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill as an event of “National Significance.” Currently the oil spill is projected to reach the coast of Louisiana today, April 29, 2010. I am prepared to order the Louisiana National Guard to state active duty in order to respond to this threat to Louisiana’s fragile coast line. Louisiana is host to several federal wildlife refuges and management areas which are in the direct path of the oil spill. The Pass-a-Loutre Wildlife Management Area at the mouth of the Mississippi River is predicted to be the first wildlife refuge affected by the oil spill.
The National Guard will provide security, medical capabilities, engineers and communication support in response to this threat. Currently, our Soldiers and Airmen are staging for and are engaged in the planning of the effort to evacuate and provide security and clean up for the coastal communities expected to be impacted by the oil spill. They are engaged in the protection of vital infrastructure to include medical facilities, fuel distribution, interstate highways, water-ice distribution and power facilities which are all vital to the recovery of coastal Louisiana.
I believe these National Guard operations are necessary and appropriate to protect this region of our nation from a significant national event with potential catastrophic loss of natural resources. Louisiana is home to many federal and state military facilities including the NSA New Orleans, the operations of which could be effected.
Thank you for consideration of this request.
Sincerely,
cc: The Honorable Robert M. Gates
Topics: 2010, animals, BP, British Petroleum, business, Coast Guard, Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, coastline, command center, Deepwater Horizon, Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, DEQ, DOTD, Economy, emergency response, environment, environmental impact, families, fire, fish, GOHSEP, Governance, government, Governor Bobby Jindal, Gulf of Mexico, Louisiana, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Mandeville, MMS, moniter, monitor, National Guard, natural disaster, news, oil containment booms, Oil Rig, oil rig explosion, oil spill, Oil Spill Coordinator, Oil Spill Coordinators Office, pollution, rescue mission, state of emergency, state police, survivors, Transocean, U.S., UCG, Unified Command Group, United States, vegetation, wildlife
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