Marine environmental, wildlife assessments of post-Isaac pollution continues

NEW ORLEANS – Wildlife teams recovered three oiled birds, Monday and were out on the water searching for any other impacted wildlife. 

Coast Guard and State of Louisiana response workers continued assessments of the areas affected by Hurricane Isaac, searching for signs of pollution or impacted wildlife. 

So far, Coast Guard and Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality assessment teams have investigated about 90 separate reports of pollution throughout the impacted areas. Facility owners are taking steps to clean up the majority of these. Six sites require further assessment and environmental response crews are taking steps to clean up or contain any oil.

“We respond to every pollution report that comes in and send teams to see what’s out there and try to identify the responsible party so they can get it cleaned up,” said Lt. Cmdr. Lushan Hannah, the Coast Guard incident commander for the pollution response. “Pollution following a hurricane is to be expected, especially with a slow-moving storm like Isaac.” 

The Coast Guard, EPA, NOAA, Louisiana Oil Spill Coordinator’s Office, Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries are working together to safeguard public safety and minimize wildlife and environmental impacts resulting from Hurricane Isaac.

Coast Guard and state officials are asking residents to avoid any contact with chemicals or pollution they come across and to report it to the Sector New Orleans Operations Center at 504-365-2200 or the National Response Center at 800-424-8802.