U.S. Coast Guard Heartland Office: well59response@gmail.com
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NEW ORLEANS — The Coast Guard federalized pollution response efforts Thursday and the Unified Command, consisting of the Coast Guard and the Louisiana Oil Spill Coordinator's Office (LOSCO), continue to respond to mitigate public safety and environmental threats from an uncontrolled oil and natural gas discharge in coastal Louisiana.
Pollution response efforts were federally assumed from the Responsible Party, Spectrum OpCo, LLC, to mitigate the discharge of oil. The Federal on Scene Coordinator accessed the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund and contracted Environmental Safety & Health Consulting Services Inc. as the primary oil spill removal organization for this case. The Unified Command, working in consultation with federal, state, and local agencies, is overseeing the response effort to safely and efficiently secure the source of discharge and mitigate impacts to the environment.
As of 11:00 a.m., the Unified Command has more than 180 responders supporting response efforts. This includes the deployment of 6 MARCO skimmers, 6 drum skimmers, and a variety of recovery storage equipment. Boom deployment continues, with 11,700 feet of 18” containment boom already in place and 2,300 feet on standby. Responders have also deployed 544 bales of absorbent boom to protect nearby islands. To date, responders have recovered approximately 32,718 gallons of oily water mixture.
Current amount of oil discharged is still unknown at this time. The well control contractor is on-scene and continuing source intervention and control operations. Well intervention equipment, including cutting tools, a capping stack, piping, a crane and storage barges are enroute and being staged. Responders continue to actively monitor weather windows and refine plans to secure the source of the discharge and mitigate impacts to the environment.
Aerial surveys are ongoing, and air monitoring has not indicated any immediate concerns in the response area. Both the one nautical mile radius vessel safety zone and the two-mile, 2,000 feet elevation temporary flight restriction remain in place.
There have been no reports or observations of impacted wildlife. Mariners are encouraged to report observations of oil to the National Response Center at 800-424-8802 and any observation of impacted wildlife to Wildlife Hotline Phone Number at 832-514-9663. Individuals or businesses directly impacted by the incident can contact 1-866-601-5880 for assistance and information.
Coordinating agencies and response stakeholders include:
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA)
- Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE)
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
- Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF)
- Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ)
- Louisiana Department of Energy and Natural Resources (LDENR)
- Plaquemines Parish Government
- Forefront Emergency Management (FEM)
- Environmental Safety & Health Consulting Services Inc. (ES&H)
- Clean Gulf Associates (CGA)
- Wild Well Control
The cause of the incident is under investigation.
Information regarding the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund can be found here. Media should direct inquiries to well59response@gmail.com.
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