Gulf Restoration Network

Will Louisiana Politicians Ever Learn? Blog - BPs Oil Drilling Disaster in the Gulf of Mexico Friday, 04 June 2010 09:15

A Brown Pelican on the beach at East Grand Terre Island along the Louisiana coast on Thursday, June 3, 2010. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Louisiana has sacrificed 40-60% of our coastal wetlands and natural storm protection to the oil industry, we are fifth in the nation in water pollution due in part to petrochemical industries, and now we are facing the largest oil disaster in U.S. history—which has killed eleven workers, shut down a third of the Gulf’s fishing, jeopardizes both the recovery of brown pelicans and our fragile coast and communities.  All five Gulf states are taking an economic hit, and will see oil on their shores.  The legacy of this crisis will likely be measured in years or decades.

And yet, today I read that Louisiana's Governor, the Legislature and Senator Vitter are demanding that the federal government lift a six month moratorium on deepwater oil drilling.  The moratorium is intended to ensure that we never again face a disaster such as this.

How much more will it take for the citizens of Louisiana to stand up and say enough is enough? I understand that the oil industry creates jobs and makes significant campaign contributions, but sacrificing our health, our natural resources and the communities which rely on them is a false choice and, in the long-term, a deal with the devil.

Cynthia Sarthou is GRN's Executive Director