This morning, Scott Eustis, GRN’s Coastal Wetland Specialist, and I boarded a small Cessna aircraft at Lakefront Airport in New Orleans and headed out on a 4 hour flight path. I was invited by Bonny Schumaker, the pilot for On Wings of Care to help document Whale sharks in the Gulf that had been tagged the week before. We also set out to revisit the Taylor Energy leak just a few miles off the tip of the Bird’s Foot Delta at N298 56.328; W88 58.049. You may recall that radar satellite images taken in June 2010 showed continuing leakage from a well about 40 miles from the leaking Macondo well that was the source of the BP drilling disaster. More on that in a minute.
Unfortunately, we were unable to spot any whale sharks today, even though at least one of the sharks--named Bessy (after Bonny’s plane) had been recently tagged. Even though conditions were perfect for spotting from the air today, the massive sharks remained elusive. We were able to see sea turtles and hammerhead sharks. Yet, strangely not one of us was ever able to spot a dolphin. Normally, the area around Ewing Bank would be teeming with dolphins. Anyway, we did not spot any Whale sharks so I won’t spend any more time on that.
We did, unfortunately, find success in the other part of today’s mission which was to document leaking oil. Yes, oil is STILL leaking from the site of Taylor Energy platform (Platform 23051) that was destroyed by Hurricane Ivan in 2004. The ongoing leak gained national attention during the BP disaster after the government released detailed satellite images of the Gulf’s surface. Skytruth, a watchdog group that uses satellite images to monitor environmental problems, first called attention to the ongoing spill. You may recall reading their reports calling attention to the leak, which also received some media coverage from the Press-Register, NPR, and others. However, other than scant media coverage, since last year, little or nothing has been done to address this continuing problem. When you look at the images from today, you will notice that there is not one rig or platform in any of the shots. You won’t find any work boats or skimmers. In fact, the only thing you will find at the site today is a buoy marking the location and an oil slick that stretches for about 10 miles. See for yourself:
At different times over the last year there was a rig, the Ocean Saratoga, in the vicinity allegedly working to plug the leak. Not today. Where did the Saratoga go? Obviously there is still a problem. Many questions about this leak remain unanswered. Today when I returned I asked one of our legal interns to file a Freedom of Information Act Request to find out what the heck is going on. Why is it still leaking? Can it be stopped? Is there a timeline on stopping it? Has Taylor energy been fined for violating the Clean Water Act? If not, why not? Stay tuned for the answer to these questions. In the meantime, take action today by sending a letter to your member of Congress demanding that they take meaningful action to protect and restore the natural resources of the Gulf of Mexico. Click here to send a letter today.
Jonathan Henderson is the Coastal Resiliency Organizer for GRN.
The stand against coastal and offshore drilling continued on Saturday, June 25th along beaches and at community events worldwide. Thousands of cities around the world participated in last Saturday’s "Hands Across the Sand" program, including many along the Gulf coast. Participants included local residents, tourists, elected officials and business owners, many hurt by the devastation of the Gulf Oil Disaster in 2010. Volunteers worked to sign people in, talk about drilling and clean energy issues, and gather petition signatures.
In Florida, along Tampa Bay area beaches, over 1300 supporters lined up to join hands to say NO to DRILLING, and call for CLEAN ENERGY NOW. The Treasure Island group, led by Surfrider Foundation, partnered with “Surfers for Autism” to create a line over 500 strong. On St. Pete Beach, the Tradewinds event garnered 400 supporters. Debra Davies from the Tradewinds Island Resort organized the beach, joined by a coalition of volunteers including Gulf Restoration Network, local Sierra Club chapters, Defenders of Wildlife and Save Our Seas, Beaches and Shores. Spearheading the press conference and local media outreach prior to and after the event was an organizing coalition led by Cathy Harrelson of Gulf Restoration Network. The press conference held before the Hands event at the Tradewinds included former Governor Charlie Crist, State Representative Rick Kriseman, and representatives from U.S. Representatives C.W. Bill Young and Kathy Castor, along with city and county elected officials and environmental groups. Check out this article to see footage from the events in Florida. Pictured above is Governor Crist holding hands with Cathy Harrelson and his wife, Carole.
At the Biloxi, Mississippi event, participants were asked to join hands at noon to take a symbolic stand to make sure Congress takes action to restore the coast in the wake of the disaster and to make sure we don’t see another like it here in the Gulf. Check out this article to see an interview with GRN’s Mississippi Organizer who helped coordinate the event. In it, Raleigh calls for the creation of a Regional Citizen’s Advisory Council stating, "the idea of the Regional Citizens Advisory Council is it gives affected communities a voice in future oil and gas industry decisions and makes sure they can keep an eye on oil spill response plans so that they are not there protecting the nonexistent gulf walrus," he said.
In New Orleans, people gathered in solidarity along the Mississippi River behind the Audubon Zoo. The occasion featured music from GRN supporters Sassafrass and speakers from GRN, Sierra Club, Louisiana Bucket Brigade, Joule Energy Co., and BikeEasy. Check out this video from local ABC affiliate WGNO featuring an interview with GRN’s Coastal Resiliency Organizer, Jonathan Henderson, for a look at the New Orleans event.
To stoke the spirit and passion of Hands Across the Sand, Gulf Restoration Network will continue to work with participants including an upcoming Activist Training on Saturday, July 23rd in the Tampa area. For more information please contact GRN's Florida Director, Darden Rice at
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. You can also stay involved by taking action NOW at BP drilling disaster.org.
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Jonathan Henderson is the Coastal Resiliency Organizer for GRN.
On Saturday, June 11th, I and 19 others canoed down the Leaf River near Hattiesburg, MS to observe first hand the South Hattiesburg Waste Treatment lagoon and its impact on the health of the river. If you have never been on the Leaf River, it is a beautiful place; its riverbanks are adorned by a mix of majestic deciduous trees spotted only occasionally by the presence of any kind of manmade structure. We saw people fishing from the bank and fishing boats. The cool amber water lapped playfully against the hull of our canoes beckoning us to come swim – so we did. About an hour after departing the boat launch at E. Hardy St, we beached our vessels on a white sandy beach just upstream of the South lagoon and dove in.
Given the purpose of our trip, I was surprised by the crisp, cleanliness of the water: a fact further supported by the discovery of the biggest mussel I have ever seen! Despite being shoulder deep in cool water, I could clearly see my toes as they wiggled on the gravely bottom. After swimming for about an hour, we had lunch and then decided to continue our adventure and check out the South lagoon.
Wednesday, Louisiana shrimpers headed to Baton Rouge to raise hell about problems plaguing their communities and industry.
Two issues recieved the brunt of their anger: 1) a massive drop in the price of shrimp 2) NOAA and some environmental groups blaming the shrimp fleet for a spike in sea turtle strandings.
On the first issue we stand firmly with the shrimpers. It's outrageous that the precipitous drop in dock-side prices of shrimp, which is clearly related to BP's deepwater drilling disaster, isn't being paid for by BP's Gulf Coast Claims Facility. If BP is serious about making communities whole in the wake of their disaster (as their ads continue to claim), it's critical that the folks paying the price for the public's understandable concerns about seafood from the BP impact zone are given the resources necessary to weather the storm.
Let’s all take a moment this Saturday and join hands to protect our coasts from dangerous offshore drilling and to restore the Gulf of Mexico. For the second annual “Hands Across the Sand” worldwide event, we will be standing together with tens of thousands of people all over the world to make a positive statement for a clean energy future. This is a good time for us all to refelect upon the disaster that unfolded on our beaches and shores all across the Gulf, and to show unity as we move forward in the fight for our collective healthy Gulf future. Take a look at these images and then be sure to join one of the Hands events below or find the one nearest to you.
In New Orleans, we’ll be gathering at “the Fly” to call on Congress to take action for the Gulf. It’s been over a year since the BP drilling disaster began and Congress has yet to pass legislation to restore or protect the Gulf or our communities. Congress needs to direct BP’s Clean Water Act fines back to the Gulf so that we can restore our threatened ecosystems. Our elected officials also must act to give impacted communities the ability to monitor future oil and gas activity by creating a Gulf of Mexico Regional Citizen’s Advisory Council.
In Tampa, Florida, thousands of citizens, businesses, political leaders and organizations will unite, in demonstration of opposition to expanding coastal and offshore drilling, and support for cleaner energy choices. Participants in Florida are asked to wear red, white or blue to represent protection of our precious resources. In Mississippi, people will join hands at Biloxi Beach, across from the Edgewater Mall and call on Congress to take action for a healthy Gulf. BP's oil is still out in the Gulf, and we are still experiencing impacts along our coast, in our waters and in our communities. It’s time that the federal government make BP pay to truly make things right in the Gulf and protect the Gulf and all of our coasts from future disasters.
For all events, participants should meet at 11:00AM at the nearest Hands location listed on the website, www.handsacrossthesand.com. Where possible, Hands participants are asked to carpool, ride a bike or use public transportation to represent protection of our precious resources. Across the nation and around the world, tens of thousands of people will be joining hands along their beaches to make a positive statement for a clean energy future. Come join hands with us in solidarity to raise awareness about the consequences of offshore drilling, in defense of coastal communities whose livelihoods have been severely affected by the BP drilling disaster.
Jonathan Henderson is the Coastal Resiliency Organizer for GRN.
Last week, I wrote a blog about the importance of engaging communities in the decision making process as we move forward with restoration plans and projects. Recognizing this, the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force is creating a Gulf of Mexico Citizens Advisory Committee (GMCAC). This GMCAC will provide independent citizen advice to the EPA Administrator on a broad range of environmental issues affecting the five Gulf of Mexico Coastal States. It is important to point out the difference between this entity and the Gulf of Mexico Regional Citizens Advisory Council (GMRCAC) for which we have been advocating. Explaning each of these advisory bodies below, I hope to shed some light on how they differ and why each in its own right is vital to protecting and restoring the Gulf of Mexico and our coastal communities.
Forty-four Groups Call On President Obama to Protect River Communities America needs water projects that “protect and restore the natural flood fighting defenses of the nation’s rivers and wetlands.”
(New Orleans, LA—June 22, 2011) A coalition of more than forty conservation and social justice groups from states along the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers today called on President Obama to chart a new path forward for protecting the nation’s river communities. The organizations are asking the Administration to modernize the rules that govern the planning of federal water projects to “protect and restore the natural flood fighting defenses of the nation’s rivers and wetlands.”
“It’s been a nerve-wracking spring this year as record floods up and down the Mississippi and Missouri River basins have destroyed homes and businesses, threatened many more, and caused enormous stress and suffering,” said Cynthia Sarthou, Executive Director of Gulf Restoration Network, “While there are clearly other contributing factors, there is no doubt that federal water projects and management increased the severity of the current flooding in the Mississippi River Basin and other floods across the country.”
A letter sent to the President from conservation groups, including the Gulf Restoration Network, the Missouri Coalition for the Environment, Mid South Fly Fishers, Jesus People Against Pollution, Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union, and many more, outlines a strategy to defend river communities and the environment.
In order to better protect Americans at risk of major flooding, President Obama needs to change the way federal water projects like dams and levees are developed. He can do this by modernizing the water resources planning principles and guidelines (the P&G) currently being revised by the Council on Environmental Quality. The Administration is expected to release these new planning guidelines by the end of June.
New York, NY — A year after the BP Gulf oil disaster and under pressure from environmental groups, the EPA finally released a list of the chemical components in oil dispersants. The federal agency also disclosed health and safety information about the chemical components that were previously withheld from the public as “confidential business information.” The potential health and environmental effects of the unprecedented use of dispersants in the Gulf of Mexico, both in volume and the underwater application, however, remain unknown.
EPA released a list of the 57 ingredients in all of the dispersants eligible for use in oil spills and identified the specific ingredients of some of them – in particular, Dispersit, Mare Clean, and COREXIT 9500 and COREXIT 9527, which were used in response to the oil disaster in the Gulf. The 57 ingredients were part of a larger list of 150 chemicals made public by EPA, which also included components found in consumer products.
The new chemical dispersant data was released as a result of a lawsuit filed in July of 2010 on behalf of Florida Wildlife Federation and Gulf Restoration Network, represented by Earthjustice. However, EPA continues to withhold the identity of specific ingredients found in most of the dispersants that are eligible for use in response to oil spills.
“This disclosure was long overdue,” said Earthjustice attorney Marianne Engelman Lado. “These dispersants were used in massive quantities, nearly 2 million gallons, exposing workers, community residents, and wildlife to toxic chemicals, without adequate information about whether they were adding injury to the already tragic circumstances.”
Last Friday, Our Lady of the Holy Cross College hosted Our Wetlands Our Future: A Forum on Coastal Restoration. The content for this forum focused on the physical and biological aspects of coastal restoration as well as the tools that we have available in planning and making informed decisions with how best to restore Louisiana’s coast. Unlike most forums of this kind, however, this one included a panel focused on the sociological elements in coastal restoration planning.
Shirley Laska from UNO-CHART (Center for Hazards Assessment, Response and Technology) presented on some research that is being conducted using the residential knowledge in the Grand Bayou community to prioritize impaired areas in need of restoration. This research was able to show that there is agreement between the scientific data and the residents about which areas of their communities are being impacted. What this research adds to the already established scientific data is the human element of just what’s a stake in these threatened communities. Laska stressed how important community knowledge is to the process of restoration planning. Acquiring and utilizing this knowledge helps to build trust in these impacted communities.
Guest Blogger, Alex Zhu, is a Robertson scholar from New Zealand who is interning with GRN this summer.
This past week, I was lucky enough to go with six other GRN staff and volunteers to the tenth annual Bonnaroo Music Festival, a four day music, comedy and craziness extravaganza held in Manchester, Tennessee. With over 90,000 people in attendance and headliners such as Eminem, Arcade Fire, Widespread Panic, Buffalo Springfield and many more, the ten year anniversary of this acclaimed music festival was not to be missed. Braving the sweltering heat and dust, the GRN team worked in Planet-Roo, the non-profit section of the festival, to educate and inform their fellow Bonnarooers about the deadly effects that the BP oil spill has had on the Gulf Coast over one year from the disaster. With a photo gallery showing the damage that the oil is doing to the Coast and a group of dedicated staff and volunteers, we met people from all over who shared our interest in protecting and restoring the Gulf of Mexico. This year, we collected petition signatures to recuperate the 20 billion dollars of Clean Water Act fines that BP paid last year for the Gulf, as well as to push for the creation of a Regional Citizens Advisory Council, which would give local, impacted communities a voice in future energy industry decisions. Visitors were also invited to participate in our “Congress, You’ve Got Oil on Your Hands” petition, where they were able to contribute their own “oily” handprints to send to congress. Almost everyone we met was extremely positive about the issue and more than willing to get their hands a little dirty. With the help of our incredible supporters My Morning Jacket and DeVotchKa, who gave us Twitter shoutouts during the event, and Galactic, who gave us an on-stage shout out during their concert, we managed to smash our goal and collect a whopping 2,158 petition signatures for the Gulf. We also drew three lucky raffle winners in our Voodoo Music Festival Raffle, who won free double passes to Voodoo in New Orleans later this year. So if you signed one of our petitions, make sure to check your emails as we may be sending a double pass your way!
On Saturday, June 11th, I and 19 others canoed down the Leaf River near Hattiesburg, MS to observe first hand the South Hattiesburg Waste Treatment lagoon and its impact on the health of the river. If you have never been on the Leaf River, it is a beautiful place; its riverbanks are adorned by a mix of majestic deciduous trees spotted only occasionally by the presence of any kind of manmade structure. We saw people fishing from the bank and fishing boats. The cool amber water lapped playfully against the hull of our canoes beckoning us to come swim – so we did. About an hour after departing the boat launch at E. Hardy St, we beached our vessels on a white sandy beach just upstream of the South lagoon and dove in.
Wednesday, Louisiana shrimpers headed to Baton Rouge to 
Let’s all take a moment this Saturday and join hands to protect our coasts from dangerous offshore drilling and to restore the Gulf of Mexico. For the second annual “Hands Across the Sand” worldwide event, we will be standing together with tens of thousands of people all over the world to make a positive statement for a clean energy future. This is a good time for us all to refelect upon the disaster that unfolded on our beaches and shores all across the Gulf, and to show unity as we move forward in the fight for our collective healthy Gulf future. Take a look at these images and then be sure to join one of the Hands events below or 
