As the 1 year anniversary of the BP drilling disaster approaches, we at GRN are once again getting requests from media to show them what is happening with the clean-up of the Gulf and whether there is still oil to be seen. In fact, just last Wednesday and Friday I guided several media outlets on a tour to several areas that, unfortunately, are still heavily impacted with oil. We travelled by boat from Myrtle Grove, Louisiana to areas such as Bay Jimmy, Barataria Bay, Queen Bess Island, and a Grand Terre Island. The marsh in Bay Jimmy is still heavily impacted in most areas that we viewed. The Spartina grass is dead or dying from the waterline back about 10 in some areas. The grass is coated in oil, roots are exposed, and oil can be seen seeping up through the soil. It was an ugly and disappointing sight indeed.
The pelicans on Queen Bess Island seem like they are doing okay. However, it is the unknown long-term impacts that have scientists worried as oil exposure has been known to have impacts on the reproduction systems of birds. Also, the island itself is very vulnerable to erosion, and most experts that I talk to seem to agree that it may not last another 5 years, if that, at the current rate of land loss.
Grand Terre Island is the location of a 19th century historical landmark known as Ft. Livingston. In the early 19th century before the fort was built by U.S. forces, Grand Terre Island was the home to pirates under the command of Captain Jean Lafitte. In 1955, Grand Terre was designated as a state Wildlife and Fisheries reservation. Fast forward to today and you see a fort that is crumbling because of erosion and continuous battering by powerful storms. Take a closer look inside, which we did, and you see the fort is blanketed with oil. Some of the oil is hardened, crust-like tar mats, while some of it seeps up through the sand as you step. The caverns on the inside of the fortress walls, known as casemates, are also coated in oil. You’ll notice that in the slide show I included a couple of aerial photos that I took in June of last year. The photos show oil surrounding the fort and oil that had already penetrated the fortress walls. It is infuriating that today oil remains and it does not appear that much is being done.
It is high time that Congress and the White House to do their part to implement the needed changes to help restore and protect a healthy Gulf. Congress should put the Clean Water Act fines back into the Gulf ecosystems affected by the BP drilling disaster and establish a Regional Citizens' Advisory Council. These reforms are essential to the recovery and protection of the Gulf and the nation. Please take action by clicking here to send a letter asking Congress to step up and do the right thing for a healthy Gulf.
Jonathan Henderson is the Coastal Resiliency Organizer for GRN.
As the one year memorial of the BP oil drilling disaster approaches, the oil is still impacting life in the Gulf and GRN continues to work to hold BP accountable. Help us make a statement in support of Gulf recovery on the memorial. Dirty Coast is selling this new t-shirt design for a limited time only--April 8 to 15. The clever design reminds us of the simple fact that BP's crude and corexit are still affecting our Gulf, our coast, and our communities in ways that BP's ads don't admit. Get your tee now and wear it on April 20. Proceeds go to GRN.
In addition to taking action and making donations, another way to support GRN's work is to purchase great products that are contributing proceeds to GRN's work for a healthy Gulf of Mexico.See our website for a long list with tees, music, jewelry, soap, books, art, hats, bags, and other unique items that make perfect gifts and represent your support of Gulf recovery throughout the year. Support them, and their donations to GRN will help us continue our work. healthygulf.org/support
I have to admit that I am totally mystified. Record numbers of turtles and neonatal and new borne dolphins are washing up on our beaches; we have not yet determined how much damage has been done to Gulf fish species, deep water corals, or wetlands; our Congressmen and Senators from the Gulf have yet to secure a single dime for restoration; BOEMRE has not completed any environmental review of the risks posed by continuing drilling; and even more importantly, no one has yet to produce a new oil spill response plan for the Gulf; yet the nation is rushing to reopen deepwater drilling in the Gulf.
Additionally, the Oil Spill Commission found that there are industry-wide problems, and a recent finding shows that blow out preventers may have serious flaws. Although the industry has announced a new containment system that can be “deployed in 24 hours”, they admit that it would take 14-21 to actually stop a spill of the size we faced in the BP deepwater drilling disaster. At a potential of 60,000 barrels a day that is 840,000 to 1,260,000 barrels of oil that could be released before this state of the art system would stem the next disaster.
Yet, political pressure from our local officials, our Congressional delegation and even editorials from New Orleans' home-town newspaper have helped pave the way for business as usual at BOERME (formerly MMS). Permits for exploration and drilling are being issued weekly. Even BP may soon be allowed to return to drilling in the Gulf. It seems the only heartburn anyone is expressing is that BP has now applied for a new permit, but this is an industry-wide issue.
It is clear that the facts are being ignored. Contrary to the statements of the politicians, BP was not a lone, rogue bad actor and there is a very real risk that continued deep water drilling by any company will result in another spill of significant size.
When the BP drilling disaster occurred, I recieved little satisfaction from telling state and federal leaders "I told you so." I will get even less satisfaction pointing to our history as a voice of reason when, having had little time to recover from the BP disaster, the natural resources of the Gulf suffer from the next big oil drilling disaster.
This article is excerpted from Wave Maker's News, our quarterly update on all things water in the Gulf of Mexico, check out the full newsletter here.
Enjoying a swim at Manatee Springs State Park, not far from the proposed mine site. Photo courtesy of Paul Clark.There is true magic on the planet where the land meets the sea. As the uplands and sandhills of the Nature Coast region gradually slope towards the Gulf of Mexico, they transition into a mosaic of coastal hammocks, coastal marshes, and amazing estuaries that form one of the most ecologically diverse and essential places in Florida. If one were to try to place a massive mine in the least appropriate place possible, this would be the place. Shockingly, that is exactly what is happening along the coast in Levy County, Florida.
The proposed Tarmac Mine boondoggle would negatively impact everything from wildlife to commercial fisherman. Thousands of acres of wetlands would be harmed and the downstream impacts to the Big Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Preserve could be devastating. A mine of this size and scale at this location would begin to turn the Nature Coast into the Mining Coast. Indeed, once the mining beast sinks its teeth into a place like this at this size and scale, the negative impacts will be felt by our grandchildren’s children.
In response to this dire threat, Gulf Restoration Network is working with allies and partners to oppose this mine at the local planning level as well as at the federal Clean Water Act permitting level. We’ll keep you updated as the fight to protect Florida’s Nature Coast continues.
Last October, ninety-five people representing forty-six community, local, regional, national and international environmental, social justice, and fishermen’s groups met at the Beckwith Camp and Conference Center on Weeks Bay, Alabama. Together, we drafted a set of principles that we believe must guide the recovery and restoration of the Gulf of Mexico, our coast and our communities in the wake of the BP drilling disaster.
March 14th through 16th, these individuals came back together and worked dilligently to develop a community action plan for Gulf restoration that will be released on the one year memorial of the BP drilling disaster.
Among the folks involved in this effort was Save Our Gulf Coordinator for the Waterkeeper Alliance, Renee Blanchard. Renee shared with us a little bit about why this is so important to her and how the collaborative effort at the Gulf Gathering is making a difference.
Earth Month is here, so stop by an Aveda salon to help GRN continue the fight for healthy water. Since 2006, Aveda salons across the southeast have partnered with the GRN and raised over $1.4 million to promote healthy waters throughout the Gulf. Throughout the month of April, salons host fashion shows, walks, concerts, and donation days to spread the word and raise funds.
One such event is garnering attention for healthy water on Saturday, April 16th. Salons in the Baton Rouge area have planned Water Ball 2011, an evening at the Varsity Theatre with silent auction and live music from The Flamethrowers. In true Louisiana style, there will be a "Water Ball Krewe" comprised of environmental leaders in the Baton Rouge community. Dress up and dance to support a healthy Gulf! Tickets are for sale online in advance, and proceeds will benefit GRN’s Healthy Water campaign.
Thanks Aveda, we’re proud to partner with a company that makes protecting the environment look so good! To find other Earth Month events near you, check out our online event calendar.
If you'd like to help flip the script, and make sure that as the one-year memorial of the BP disaster approaches Washington assures our region a more community accountable oil industry and government regulators, a fully funded Gulf restoration initiative, and community recovery on the scale necessary, please head here and send your message to your members of Congress. Even better, help GRN spread that message at your local earth day festivities, by joining our Healthy Gulf Krewe.
Aaron Viles is GRN's Deputy Director. You can follow him on twitter here.
Manatee Springs State Park, photo courtesy of Paul Clark.Over the last few months, GRN's Science and Water Policy Team has been busy fighting to keep the rivers, bayous and streams of the Gulf safe for ourselves and future generations. From the effort to protect Florida’s Nature Coast from the “mining beast” to pushing states and the EPA to reduce Dead Zone-causing nitrogen and phosphorous pollution, GRN is committed to preserving and enhancing our healthy waters and communities.
Nature Coast or Mining Coast? Florida’s Nature coast is a truly magical wonder of nature, but Tarmac Corporation’s plans to build a massive mine in the heart of the Nature Coast could spell trouble for this unique and ecologically diverse region.
The Fight to Keep Clean Waters Clean In this article, read about our continued efforts to make sure that Louisiana and Mississippi are following federal pollution control laws and keeping clean waters clean for all of us to enjoy.
Victory for Wetlands in Coastal Mississippi Years of fighting and litigation have paid-off! GRN and our members have won a victory against an illegal and irresponsible wetlands destruction development in coastal Mississippi.
Introducing Scott Eustis Check out this short biography about Scott Eustis, the newest member of GRN’s Science and Water Policy team.
Styling with Aveda for Earth Month GRN is proud to once again partner with Aveda salons from across the southeast during Aveda Earth Month. We extend a heartfelt thanks to all the Aveda salon staff for everything they do to help protect healthy waters and wetlands in the Gulf!
Florida Environmental Catastrophe – Welcome Governor Scott As environmental protection budgets are slashed and regulations rolled back, Florida could be facing some hard times for both the environment and the economy if new Florida Governor Rick Scott gets his way.
EPA Makes Little Movement to Reduce the Dead Zone Check out this article to read about GRN’s work to push the EPA and state governments to take real action when it comes to reducing Dead Zone-causing nitrogen and phosphorous pollution.
After Hurricane Katrina, Congress sent millions of dollars in recovery money to the Mississippi Gulf Coast to help families rebuild and communities recover, but not all of that money went where it was supposed to. Instead, many recovery dollars meant to help low-income families find homes were funneled into pork barrel projects like the proposed expansion of the cargo Port of Gulfport.
This industrial cargo dock will require the dredging of a “Big Ditch” through the heart of the Mississippi Sound – putting the fishermen, tourists, and residents who rely on a healthy Sound at risk – while increasing traffic, trains, and air pollution through the heart of historic Gulfport neighborhoods and communities.
Come out to Long Beach on Thursday to tell the Mississippi State Port Authority and Army Corps of Engineers not to put cargo over communities!
What: Scoping Hearing for the Port of Gulfport Expansion When: Thursday, March 31st, open House at 5:30, followed by presentation and public comments at 6:30. Where: Fleming Education Center, USM, 730 East Beach Boulevard, Long Beach, MS. For more information or to RSVP: Email me at
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Communities that have already borne the brunt of development, pollution, and poverty are again being asked to sacrifice their health and security. That’s not fair, and not right. On Thursday, please join us in standing up for these communities, and the health of the Mississippi Sound.
The one year memorial of the BP oil drilling disaster is fast approaching and Congress has yet to enact legislation to safeguard the Gulf from future disasters. The media has moved on, but the oil is still out there and it continues to impact our wildlife and coastal communities. With this urgency in mind, GRN is working to bring the nation’s attention back to the Gulf this Earth Day April 22nd.
We need the help of our best activists to build public pressure for Congressional action across the country. Are you planning on attending an Earth Day event in your area? Will you represent us at your local event?
Gulf Restoration Network is recruiting for the Healthy Gulf Krewe to build our citizen voice throughout the country and develop dedicated volunteer leaders to defend the Gulf Coast. This Earth Day is a great opportunity to get involved with the Krewe and support us in the fight to restore and protect the Gulf of Mexico.
After Hurricane Katrina, Congress sent millions of dollars in recovery money to the Mississippi Gulf Coast to help families rebuild and communities recover, but not all of that money went where it was supposed to. Instead, many recovery dollars meant to help low-income families find homes were funneled into pork barrel projects like the proposed expansion of the cargo Port of Gulfport. 
The one year memorial of the BP oil drilling disaster is fast approaching and Congress has yet to enact legislation to safeguard the Gulf from future disasters. The media has moved on, but the oil is still out there and it continues to impact our wildlife and coastal communities. With this urgency in mind, GRN is working to bring the nation’s attention back to the Gulf this Earth Day April 22nd. 
