HURRICANE ISSAC, REPORTING OIL WASHED UP FROM ISSAC & THE ASSUMPTION PARISH SINKHOLE, WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED IN 2 YEARS

Well,

This blog was built to help those affected by the BP spill stay informed about condition on the coast. Thanks to all that have helped those with health issues get their voices heard in DC, told the story of a declining fisheries, sick children, land loss and the long term effects of the worst man-made disaster in our nations history. Now it’s time to turn it over to communities in need. I will be on the road playing music and fighting for the Gulf. Please use this page as a resource to get your story to the public and help preserve what is left of Sportsman’s Paradise.

Fight the Good Fight,

Drew Landry

Human Nature vs. Mother Nature

And so here is what can be done to report not only the damage from Issac, but the oil washing up in this storm. The two communities I worry most about are S. Plaquemines and Assumption for different reasons. S. Plaq still has a considerable amount of levee/oil and damage from Katrina while Assumption has the sinkhole/salt mine collapse to deal with changing pressure and possible flooding of a contaminated area.. Lafitte and many other low lying parishes are taking a beating as well as Southern Mississippi, but we knew eventually a hurricane would hit our most vulnerable wetlands and estuaries. Basically, the same folks that were steamrolled by Katrina & the BP spill now have to deal with another tidal wave. This has the potential to be a toxic storm. Last, they are considering blowing up the levee around Madisonville. We will soon update as news is available

EVAC ORDER POSSIBLE DAM COLLAPSE

Worse than Katrina Pics from Plaquemines Parish

Jindal: May Break Levee to Relieve Pressure by associatedpress

LINK TO LATEST FORBES STORY ON LEVEE BREACH 600,000 w/ No electric etc

We’ve learned that in this day and age helping people who need it and cleaning up a mess is not nearly as important as the PR campaign or winning the next election. More important than politics and liability, is self preservation. As human beings-it’s our responsibility to help one another. Whether you believe in global warming, sea-level rise, or the Good Lord… our the Barrier Islands, the great Cypress & Oak trees, and much of the land that once protected us from Hurricanes are no longer here. WE have seen time and again that the people who are called to tell the truth will not waiver. Those whose lives and lively hoods are at stake will fight until the death to save their homeland. Unfortunately, if the public is lied to or misinformed they will fight one another. This storm will be no different than others, but keep in mind that this is only a CAT 1. I guess there is no good answer, no full proof plan, but what moves people to help one another is your story. For those that continue this blog- All you have to do is tell the truth..back any claims with science, video, first hand reports, and pictures from credible sources (real people)… and be there for one another.

REPORTING TO THE MEDIA THROUGH BRIDGE THE GULF & REPORTING OIL WASHING IN: 

The following posts are from the LOUISIANA ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION NETWORK AND BRIDGE THE GULF. SUBMIT WITH TIME DATE AND LOCATION TO joshua@gulfcoastfund.org or 504-522-2423. YOU ARE ADVISED TO OBEY ALL CURFEWS AND STAY OUT OF OILED AREAS, BUT IF YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT OIL on your property & feel the need/duty to collect samples… rubber gloves, boots, and an air-tight container such as a mason jar are essential. you do not want to use any container that will leak or cheap  that would chemically react to oil, dispersant, or foam… the samples must remain in your possession until they can be collected… resources are not available to test every sample. Your photos, location, and the condition of oil will determine what get tested. Location can be had by dropping a pin! on and I phone or with GPS.. time & date must also be recorded. Please do not put yourself in harms way and make sure you have the safety equipment.  If you chose to go into contaminated areas realize that your health may be at risk. For concerns about oiled areas please contact:

Louisiana Environmental Action Network (LEAN)  (225) 588-5059 contact@leanweb.org and/or the National Response Center at 800-424-8802.

Tropical Storm Issac in the Gulf of Mexico  view on leanweb.org Alert Issued to Coastal Residents of Louisiana,  Mississippi, Alabama  and the panhandle of Florida As Tropical Storm Issac moves toward the coastal areas of the northern Gulf of Mexico,  citizens along the coastal areas of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and the pan handle of Florida should be on alert. As a result of the BP Crude Oil spill that occurred on April 20, 2010, large quantities of crude oil remain sub surface in the northern Gulf of Mexico.  During minor storm  events, substantial quantities of crude oil in the form of tar  balls, mats and strings have washed onshore with the weather fronts.  Associated with Hurricane Issac, there is the potential for very large quantities of BP crude oil to wash on shore in the coastal areas, beaches, wetlands, and marshes in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and the panhandle of Florida. The BP Crude Oil contains residual levels of toxic Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons.  Pathways of exposure to humans consist of absorption through skin contact, ingestion and inhalation of the toxic chemicals.  ALERT:  Do not come in contact with the crude oil that may wash on shore. Do not touch or break open the material that appears to be BP Crude Oil. Fishermen harvesting seafood in the coastal bays and offshore areas should be aware to avoid contact with residual oil that may contaminate their seafood catches, nets, gear and traps. The potential exists for hydrocarbon material from sources other than the BP spill, such as leaking wells, storage tanks, and pipelines, to contaminate the environment as a result of Hurricane Issac.  Contact with these materials must also be avoided.  Inventory of Oily Residues in the Coastal Areas The Gulf Coast Fund–a regional fund and network founded in 2005 and active throughout the entire impacted area–and its partners are seeking to inventory the extent of BP Crude and other hydrocarbon contamination along the coastal areas as a  result of Hurricane Issac. Information on the location of residual material should be provided to the Gulf Coast Fund at joshua@gulfcoastfund.org or 504-522-2423. Please provide as much information as possible; -description of location and direction on getting to the location -description of deposited material -photos if possible -contact information for person submitting location Gulf Coast Fund grantee Louisiana Environmental Action Network (LEAN) will be following up and assessing the locations where the material was observed and documenting the situation.  Remember do not come in contact with the BP Crude or hydrocarbon material in the environment. For more information, please contact:      Louisiana Environmental Action Network (LEAN)      (225) 588-5059      contact@leanweb.org or      Gulf Coast Fund      (504) 522-2423.

FROM BAYOU CORNE-John Achee’s LATEST BLOG ENTRY…. We have reports of trees down in the Napoleonville and Paincourtville area, one blocking Highway 401 (Canal Road) where work is being done to remove it from the roadway. Downed power lines have been reported in the Paincourtville, Bertrandville, and Labadieville areas. Entergy has advised us that they have pulled their trucks and workers off of the roads to ensure their safety. I spoke to the Sheriff just a minute ago and he and his department are currently accessing damage in the area.

We cannot express enough to all to abide by the curfew and shelter in place. The winds will become much stronger as the day progresses. The OEP is running, fully staffed, phone lines open… If you have any questions, please call us at 985-369-7386.

Trisha James/Surf Rider Foundation

ALL GULF COAST states should be reporting tar balls, tar mats, oil, oily material or oiled

debris washing up on our beaches, barrier islands and marshes as a result of the 2010

Deepwater Horizon Oil Disaster. Please do not handle this material as it is toxic. Please call

the National Response Center at 800-424-8802.

 

LOUISIANA

Louisiana State Officials have asked residents to report to their local state as well as to the

NRC. The 24-hour Louisiana Emergency Hazardous Hotline number is 877-925-6595. The

National Response Center number is 800-424-8802.

If members of the public have health concerns related to dermal or inhalation exposure to

oil, they may call the Louisiana Poison Control Center 24 hours a day at 800-222-1222.

 

FLORIDA 

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection will be out performing Quick Rapid

Assessments when it is safe. Park Service personnel will assess State Park beaches

separately. Beach and coastal people will be monitoring erosion and reporting any suspect

oil. BP and the USCG will be out assessing as well and will be sending Strike Teams this

weekend. Normal cleanup crews should also be present by this weekend.

 

HEALTH INFORMATION 

 

Avoid areas affected by oil.

Avoid direct skin contact with oil, oily material and oiled debris.

Do not drive your boat through oil slicks or oil sheens.

Young children, pregnant women, people with compromised immune systems and

individuals with underlying respiratory conditions should avoid affected areas.

Do not let pets enter oil-affected areas.

Do not burn debris, driftwood or other materials contaminated with oil.

If oil gets on your clothing, wash separately from the family laundry. You may use your

regular detergents.

 

COLLECTION OF OIL 

Please use proper precaution and procedures should you wish to collect tar balls and/or oil.

Wear gloves which will not “melt” such as stripping gloves, as well as proper clothing and

rubber boots.

Collection should be made appropriately showing validity via time-stamped photos and/or

videos. Glass jars with tight lids which are not plastic should be labeled with your name,

date, time and GPS coordinates.

ULTRAVIOLET LAMP 

 

MC 252 oil fluoresces under UV light. It will appear neon orange. Those who have or wish to

purchase this lamp must use a 365 nm light. VERTEK is a low voltage UV flashlight which

has been tested and verified in the labs. Color hues can vary due to age, weathering, PAHs

present and Corexit contamination. To compare before and after examination on your skin,

clothes or boots, make sure to photograph or video prior to collection in absolutely dark

conditions. Do not wear light colors.

Emerald Coast Surfriders uses the LUMCON lamp which has verified findings via analysis by

spectrometry analysts in laboratories.

LINKS 

James “Rip” Kirby on UV light oil contamination detection:

http://www.tampabay.com/news/environment/water/article1225134.ece

Unknown MC252 / Corexit Contamination in Ambient Light, but detected under UV light:

Bridge the Gulf will receive your photos and videos:

http://www.bridgethegulfproject.org/node/689

LEAN has posted an announcement on sampling and collection:

http://leanweb.org/our-work/community/public-health/hurricane-isaac-alert-possible-oil-

contamination

John Amos of Skytruth will receive your oil photos:

http://oilspill.skytruth.org/reports/submit

 

DEEP WATER MEMORIAL CONCERTS 4/20

Tipitina’s French Quarter location, Shed BBQ & Blues Joints across the Gulf Coast, and venues around the country are throwing concerts to honor the 11 that died in the explosion & help the Louisiana Environmental Action Network get symptom sheets to folks that have fallen ill from exposure to oil and the record amounts of dispersants sprayed in Gulf waters. Here are the events we have planned. Please let people know how they can be part of the Solution to Pollution. We are asking folks to donate guitars of some value. These instruments will be signed by artists & all the money collected from their sale and proceeds will help Louisiana Environmental Action Network continue to help those sick from toxic conditions in the Gulf and Louisiana artists finish the Solution to Pollution project.

New Orleans events on 4/20

-5PM Future of the Gulf Town Hall Meeting 5PM- 7:30 Upstairs @ Tipitina’s French Quarter

-6PM Free Show/Press Conference @ the Louisiana Music Factory with Drew Landry (acoustic)

-6:45PM SECONDLINE FOR THE GULF leaves from the Louisiana Music Factory

Rev. Goat Carson’s 2nd Line w/ the Kinfolk Brass Band Mardi Gras Indians/Native Americans… Fi Yi Yi, Dancing Man 504, The Grayhawk Band, and many more roll into Tipitina’s in the Quarter at 7:30

-7:30PM THE SOLUTION TO POLLUTION CONCERT w/ Dr. John, The Treater Band, Drew Landry, Shannon McNally & the entire Second Line.

THE SOLUTION TO POLLUTION PROJECT/GUITARS FOR THE GULF 4/20

The ‘Solution to Pollution Project’ was Bobby Charles’ vision for introducing children at an early age to sustainability through music and environmental lesson plans. “Bobby Charles left behind some of the best songs of all time, but his real passion was the three song tape & lesson plan he created called ‘Solution to Pollution’,” said Louisiana singer/songwriter Drew Landry. Mac Rebennack, better known as Dr. John, a lifelong friend of Bobby Charles, believes the deep water disaster can be a catalyst for changing the way we treat our planet. Mac decided it was time to bring back the ‘Solution to Pollution’ and Wish Nails donated time for the Project at Dockside Studio where Bobby recorded the original Solution to Pollution EP. Louisiana musicians will showcase some of these songs at the one-year spill memorial concert.

A five song EP featuring Dr. John singing the songs of Bobby Charles & Drew Landry along with many other Gulf Coast musicians will be available at the concert and for sale at the Louisiana Music Factory. Funds collected at the concert and from the Deep Water Memorial EP will go toward completing a full-length album and implementing Bobby Charles’ environmental ideas and a few of our own in local communities.

Advance tickets $25 available at www.tipitinas.com, or $30 tickets at the door.

TIPITINA’S FQ EVENTS

On the one year memorial of the worst man-made environmental disaster in our nation’s history, coastal residents are coming together to honor the 11 men that died & those that fought to protect our coast. We also must chart a course to deal with the long-term environmental & health impacts from last year’s spill. Restoring the health & fragile ecosystem of the Gulf will be no easy task, but people here deserve a voice in their own recovery. We have some serious issues to address, but who says we can’t have a good time doing it?

TOWN HALL MEETING UPSTAIRS AT TIPITINA’S IN THE FRENCH QUARTER LOCATION 5-7:30 PM, Wednesday, April 20th
233 N Peters St, New Orleans, Louisiana – (504) 566-7095

There will be a Town Hall meeting in conjunction with the Gulf Coast Leadership Forum from 5-7:30 PM. This event will be upstairs at the French Quarter location. The mission is to give a voice to the thousands of coastal residents and cleanup workers who have fallen ill since the deep water explosion.

We will address the long-term recovery of the Gulf and inform the public on the current condition of coastal communities. Many residents and their children have come down with severe health problems since they started working and living in toxic conditions. So far, their pleas have fallen on deaf ears. To date, the best our federal and state governments have done is provide a phone number from CDC & a 10-year study that ‘might’ start soon.

Much like the 9/11 first responders, many of those who were on the front lines of the oil disaster and rose to the challenge to protect and clean our wetlands now suffer chronic heath issues. There is little doubt their conditions will worsen over the years to come. This is unacceptable; the lives of coastal citizens and clean up workers must not be a “trade off”. When James Carville said, “We’re dying down here”, few thought about the long term effects of oil & the dispersant COREXIT. It’s time to see if our elected officials care more about the health of their people that live the coast and those who risk their lives to clean this mess than multinational companies that profit from our existence. The truth is we can’t wait for thousands to pass before we get a bill that takes care of our own first responders. The sick include our commercial fishermen on the VOO program, clean up workers, and coastal citizens who frequent beaches and live on the water.

Sick residents and clean up workers get in the town hall free (rsvp to: gulfchange@gmail.com). For others, there is a suggested $10 donation that will go to LEAN who has been tracking the symptom of the countless residents who have fallen ill. We also hope to raise $1,200 for Mr. Clayton Matherne for his basic needs and housing. Like many, his medical condition has not allowed him to work since being exposed to the dispersant COREXIT.

We are proud this panel will represent the concerns of coastal citizens in the Gulf Coast Leadership Forum & Cherri Foytlin will personally invite our senators & congressmen to listen to the voices of the people they represent. For more info on Symptom Sheets & independent testing results in the Gulf please visit leanweb.org . For press inquiries or details on events please email gulfchange@gmail.com

Clayton Matherne from Blackbird Media on Vimeo.

Tipitina’s schedule:
5:00 pm – “What Happened to the National Media?”, Rocky Kistner, NRDC, and Lessons from the Past: EXXON VALDEZ Valdez, Dr. Riki Ott, author, Sound Truths and Corporate Myths
5:30 pm – Our first responders & coastal citizens will address their health issues & the impacts from Dispersants, Clayton Matherne/Lori Williams/and Cpt Louis Bayhi
6:00 pm – State of the Gulf: Conditions on the Ground one year later/Claims Process
Al Walker, Billy Nunguesser, Grace Scire
6:30 pm – Roots of the regional citizens oversight committee-
How to get involved? Weeks Bay Agreement/Lessons learned in DC visit/Powershift
Aaron , GRN/ Cherri Foytlin/Derek Evans, Gulf Coast Fund/Turkey Creek
7:00 pm – Where we go from here? – Helping the SICK with Dr. Mike Robichaux, Dr. Wilma Subra, Mary Lee Orr
7:30 pm – Second line/Solution to Pollution grand entrance – Citizens will be able to meet with leaders from the forum & work on Solutions together- Films follow from coastal residents & LEAN
8 pm – Upstairs reception w/ Sasafrass, Art, and pics from the spill.

LOUISIANA MUSICIANS WILL GATHER FOR A PRESS CONFERENCE AT THE LOUISIANA MUSIC FACTORY, 210 Decatur Street, ABOUT THE LONG TERM RECOVERY OF THE GULF COAST 6PM-

*Restore the Gulf: Direct 80% of BP’s Clean Water Act fines toward Gulf Coast recovery and restoration

*Provide Health Care Now: Create accessible health care and testing to address the growing health crisis on the Gulf Coast.

*Give Communities Control: Establish a Regional Citizens Advisory Council to provide long overdue, locally informed oversight of the oil industry.

Shed Shows and Water keepers to support in those areas… Bring a Guitar & buy some BBQ

SCOTT, La. – MUSIC BY Mitch Red & Citizens Band, Bro Dege Legg, & Jake Stevens. It’s a membership drive for Basin Keeper Dean Wilson & Greg Guirard will be there to sign copies of his latest book Atchafalaya Autumn II.

GULFPORT, Ms.- Delta Reign- Bluegrass & Sweet Fritzi Presley

MOBILE, AL Host an All-star line up…Ryan Balthrop and his Bowling Buddies**9 Volts and Thunderbolts featuring Brett LaGrave**The Gregg Fells Band
And the headliner GRAYSON CAPPS along with John Milham and Nick Branch!!!

A Press Conference from Artist and Activists @ the Louisiana Music Factory will be part of the release of the Solution to Pollution EP & short set of songs from a few Gulf Coast artists working on the project will happen at 6PM Followed by a SECOND line that will leave Decatur street at 6:45PM

DEEP WATER MEMORIAL SECONDLINE – to remember the lives lost on 4/20
REV. GOAT CARSON WILL LEAD A SECOND LINE FROM THE LOUISIANA MUSIC FACTORY at 6:45 WITH DANCING MAN 504, THE GRAYHAWK BAND, THE KINFOLK BRASS BAND, FIYIYI & HIS MANDINGO WARRIORS ACROSS THE FRENCH QUARTER INTO TIPITINA’S at 233 St Peters TO KICK OFF THE SOLUTION TO POLLUTION CONCERT AT 7:30 PM

THE SOLUTION TO POLLUTION CONCERT
DR. JOHN, THE TREATER BAND, DREW LANDRY, SHANNON MCNALLY, AND THE ENTIRE SECOND LINE will perform tunes of their own & music and many songs inspired by the spill and a few the late great Bobby Charles wrote for the Solution to Pollution. Attached is a song from Dr. John about the health affects of the spill. The release of the Bobby Charles’ inspired Solution to Pollution EP will raise money to finish the full album. We must unite those who care about the future, ensure care for the sick on the coast, prepare for the next spill, and further the push for clean air & water.

GUITARS FOR THE GULF-
LEAN, Gulf Fund & saveourgulf.org will also be helping to provide support for the Guitars for the Gulf program. The ask is for guitars of some value to be donated at one of these events. Instruments will be signed by artist and proceeds from their sale will be split between developing the Solution to Pollution Project & long-term testing of our waters, wildlife and people.

As you know, Cherri Foytlin walked to Washington, DC, in hopes of talking with President Obama about the health issues of coastal citizens. She will be finishing her walk with college students from all over the country at Powershift by walking to BP’s office in DC to deliver to them a bill for the $9.9 billion they are receiving from the American people in tax deductions for the spill & then continuing up to Capitol Hill to ask the elected officials from gulf coast states to hear the voices of the coastal citizens & clean up workers who all face an uncertain future. It was bad enough that our commander in chief balked at addressing the long-term effects of the spill in his State of the Union address, but it is unthinkable that on the one-year mark of the worst man-made disaster in US history, our president is thinking only about restarting his re-election campaign with a facebook town hall meeting about the economy. Please voice your concerns about the future of the Gulf Coast at this meeting.

Mississippi residents will gather together to remember the workers who lost their lives, share stories about how this tragedy has affected them, and speak with one voice to tell our leaders that now is the time for action to make the Gulf coast and it communities whole once again and prevent future oil disasters. Lighthouse Fishing Dock, north end of Lee Street, Biloxi, MS (just north of the intersection of Bayview Avenue and Lee Street) For more information, contact Raleigh Hoke at Raleigh@healthygulf.org or 504-525-1528, ext. 204.

Karen Hopkins is organizing Memorial in Grand Isle. What has become Ground Zero for graphic pictures of oiled beaches is also host to many great activist & people that have done great work throughout the spill. Join the Sierra Club & the good people of Grand isle for daytime events at the Grounds of the Grand Isle Medical Clinic 108 Willow Ln Grand Isle, LA 70358 Corner of La. 1 and Willow LaneGrand Isle, LA

The House of Blues… Music by the great Tab Benoit & Voice of the Wetlands and the Kevin Costner Band. Organizer Jerry Cope promises the likes of Brad Pitt & Daryl Hanna and will raise money with the goal of starting two health clinics. Tickets are $50 & 1,000 for VIPS..

I got a call from concerned citizens in Atlantic City who were friends of Dr. John & wanted to do their part…..Eddie Morgan and REK’D 4 JAZZ will jam from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at Wash’s Inn, 128 N. New Road, Pleasantville, NJ for a $10 cover charge. Patrons will have the opportunity to learn more about the ongoing oil tragedy, donate to the cause, and win some fabulous jazz related door prizes according to local author Sandy Warren who has helped raise money for Gulf aid the past year. For table reservations and more information, call 609-992-6728.

OIL HEADS WEST…

MONDAY MAY 10

I got word oil had hit the coast and engulfed many of the islands of Southeast Louisiana. Cpt. Richard Blink called to let me know there were 200 fishermen working to do everything they could. He quit his crew boat job and was going to try to pump some sand in to protect his oyster grounds…hopefully BP will hire him and implement his plan.

I found out the state had re-opened the shrimp season today. So I brought my dog and a camera from Acadiana Open Channel to the docks of Delcambre, La. From there I headed to Cypremort Point… At the point, an oily boat had game wardens concerned and fishermen made the most of the last hours of shrimping. It quickly became evident how much the oilfield impacts our economy and our environment…  because fishermen in Delcambre got to the media and folks like Butch Shouest got in touch with their state reps they earned themselves a few more days of fishing.

NOAA Trajectory Forecast Map

SHRIMP BOAT GAMBLE

I slept on the beach & watched the sun come up over an oil rig in Grand Isle, La.

Maybe we all take for granted what we have till it’s too late. I encourage anyone who grew up around the Gulf Coast or has a sacred spot there to get back to it before the landscape is changed forever…. And get yourself a good Shrimp or Oyster Poboy while you can.

BP HEADQUARTERS- LOUISIANA RESPONSE TEAM

Sunday, I ran into a member of the Coast Guard and told him about the blog. When he invited me to Headquarters I had no idea he was running the show. I told him that people need to feel like “We have a plan”. Hopefully this sheds some light on the current situation in the Gulf. He answered of all of my questions put to rest concerns about oversight, staffing, and action plans.

Cpt Edwin Stanton USCG took two hours of his life to walk us through the massive BP operation outside of Houma, La. His candor and insight on the current situation in the Gulf are appreciated.

Captain Edwin M. Stanton, USCG

Captain Stanton enlisted in the Coast Guard in 1975, serving aboard Coast Guard Cutter WESTWIND and at Marine Safety Office Sturgeon Bay, WI.  He graduated from Officer Candidate School in 1981.  His first tour following OCS began at Marine Safety Office, Mobile, during which he trained as a Marine Investigator, Marine Inspector, and Port Operations Officer.  He next participated in Port Safety Industry Training at the Port of New Orleans.  Upon completion, he was assigned to the Eighth District Office, in New Orleans, where he performed duties reviewing penalty cases, managing spill response activities, coordinating explosive loading operations, recording secretary for the Lower Mississippi Waterway Safety Advisory Committee and managing Vessel Traffic Systems New Orleans, Houston and Morgan City.

From 1989 to 1992, he served as Executive Officer of the Atlantic Area Strike Team, a specialized oil and hazmat response team, in Mobile.  He responded to major oil spills in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, following Hurricane Hugo and the major spill from the Tank Barge APEX, in Galveston Bay, Texas.  He was responsible for providing oil and hazardous materials response training for all Coast Guard Marine Safety Offices in Atlantic Area.  From 1992 to 1997, Captain Stanton served as Operations Officer and Executive Officer of Marine Safety Office San Juan, Puerto Rico.  He was the Operations Section Chief and Deputy Incident Commander for the major oil spill from the barge MORRIS J. BERMAN, in Puerto Rico.  The Commandant of the Coast Guard has described this spill response as a model response.

Captain Stanton returned to Eighth District staff in 1997, as the Response Division Chief, serving as the Coast Guard Co-Chair for Regional Response Teams in Federal Regions 6, 7, and 8.  In 2000, he became Commanding Officer of Coast Guard Gulf Strike Team, Mobile.  His command and he responded to the anthrax incidents in Florida; the major oil spill from the tankship JESSICA in the Galapagos Islands; the aftermath of the World Trade Center attack; the crash of the orbiter COLUMBIA; and the ricin attacks on Congressional office buildings.  He transferred to Coast Guard Headquarters in 2003, to serve as Chief of Response Division and Chief, Office of Response.  He served as Vice Chair of the National Response Team.

In 2005, Captain Stanton was selected as Deputy Commander, Sector Mobile.  He arrived just in time for the infamous hurricane season of 2005, and was instrumental in Sector Mobile’s outstanding response to Hurricane Katrina.  He led the Coast Guard Reserve Incident Management Team that FEMA tasked with cleaning marine debris from 500 square miles of coastal Mississippi waterways, removing 300,000 cubic yards of debris at a cost well below estimates, while successfully meeting all other Sector mission demands.   In 2007, he took over the helm as Sector Commander, Mobile.  In 2008 and 2009, he was selected to represent the U.S. Coast Guard at the North Atlantic Coast Guard Forum as a subject matter expert in Environmental Response

Day 3

DAY 3 – Sunday May 2nd Liability and Employment

Local wildlife expert Stacey Scarce picked me up early so I could make it to the next Offshore Safty Class. The winds had changed and diverted the oil leak for yet another day, but everyone is still eager to get to work. Frustration grew as many people (including myself) were turned away from the morning class. I finally conceded. Even if I was to get into the afternoon class I realized, I’d only be keeping someone here from protecting thier own shores.

More important, I started to rethink what anyone could do to be of service. For now, I had nothing to tell people back home. My time is best spent figuring out what the Fishermen are signing and finding out what’s being done to stop the Oil from coming in.

I pulled into a gas station and overheard Coast Guard Captain Stanton telling a reporter what resources were being deployed to help the spill. I told him people need to feel like we have a plan. After a discussion about the effectiveness of boom and what I thought was a lack of a plan, he offered me the oppourtinity to see the command center for myself.

Before driving off, we went to check on Ft. Jackson. The bird count was still at one cleaned. I got word from the security guard there that oil was headed east to Mississippi, Alabama & Florida. The rains came and we notied there were police every mile to the coast when we saw the presidential caravan speed by. Hopefully he brings some calm and control to the situation. Either way you look at it, it’s an Obamanation.

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