Governor Jindal Takes Steps to Protect Louisiana Coast & Wildlife from Effects of Oil

Press Release

Governor Jindal announced today that state agencies continue to monitor oil spilling into the Gulf of Mexico after an oil rig explosion last week, while the federal government began work today to protect the Pass-A-Loutre Wildlife Management area in the event that spilled oil travels to Louisiana's coast.

"Out of an abundance of caution, I have directed all agencies to examine their roles in the response to potential damage caused by oil in the event it moves to Louisiana's coast," Governor Jindal said. "Though we do not yet know the exact effects of the oil leaking into the Gulf from the rig that exploded last week, our state is blessed with a wealth of unique species of animals, fish and vegetation and we are working to protect them."

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is working closely with state and federal agencies and BP to mitigate fish and wildlife resource impacts that are being anticipated along the state's coastline. Planning has been ongoing since the rig explosion last week.

Efforts Monday and Tuesday have focused on aerial surveys of environmentally sensitive areas around Pass-A-Loutre Wildlife Management Area and Breton National Wildlife Refuge at the state's most southeastern tip. Those areas contain habitats for nesting seabirds, some of which are threatened and endangered.

"Our goal is to protect the fragile ecosystems in whatever location the oil is carried ashore by Gulf currents and wind activity," said Robert Barham, LDWF secretary.

Partners in the response effort include the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Coast Guard, NOAA, the La. Department of Environmental Quality, the La. Department of Natural Resources, the La. Oil Spill Coordinators Office, the La. Dept. of Environmental Quality, GOHSEP and BP.

Boom protection is being deployed today on Pass-A-Loutre Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in four predetermined critical areas, as a precautionary measure at the state's request. Approximately 55,000 feet of booming will target sensitive areas on the WMA where nesting bird habitats are located.

Louisiana Oil Spill Coordinator's Office

The Louisiana Oil Spill Coordinator's Office (LOSO) is the designated state lead agency in the Unified Area Command, located in Robert, La. LOSCO is coordinating with LDWF, Department of Environmental Quality and the Department of Natural Resources to complete a natural resource damage assessment in cooperation with the federal government.

Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority

The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) continues to evaluate the oil spill models and is conducting on the ground surveys to prepare for any impacts on coastal habitat and wetlands. CPRA engineers are also reviewing the potential to use freshwater diversions and pumping stations to reduce the impact of the oil release on Louisiana's coast and fisheries.

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