Looking into the future the Pelican feeding its young from a self-induced wound in its own breast (as depicted, mysteriously, on the state flag of Louisiana) is accepted as an appropriate symbol of both self-sacrifice and rebirth. Through his selfless efforts, man is raised from the slavery of ignorance to the condition of freedom conferred by wisdom.
   Given the current state of affairs in Louisiana, one hopes that the understanding of t he Pelican as a symbol shall point the way towards a new consciousness of ourselves as a whole, and lead us to face our futures with strength, grace, wisdom and faith, to learn from our mistakes and carry our successes and zest for living to future generations.



Cleanup Launched After Deadly Oil Spill



400 pelicans killed in Breton Sound


reprinted from the Times-Picayune
By Mark Schleifstein
Staff writer


Officials from several federal and state agencies scrambled on Tuesday to deal with a small but deadly oil spill in Breton Sound that is blamed for killing at least 400 brown pelicans and oiling a 1,000 more at a rookery on West Breton Island.

Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research, a nonprofit organization, is setting up a “bird city” in Venice, where oiled birds will be washed and allowed to recuperate, possibly for as long as 18 weeks, said Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Cheri Ben-Iesau.

A bird veterinary team from the University of California-Davis also is en route to the area to help. Amerada Hess has set up a command center in Slidell to coordinate efforts of federal, state and cleanup contractors, Ben-Iesau said. A group of 75 people is expected on the site today, up from 60 Tuesday, she said.

Ben-Iesau said the oil spill was discovered Sunday morning when workers returned to Amerada Hess’ Breton Sound 51 Platform, which had been evacuated in advance of Tropical Storm Arlene. The platform is about 60 miles southeast of New Orleans.

The company estimated about 560 gallons, or about 15 barrels, of oil had leaked from a piece of equipment on the platform.

A team of Fish and Wildlife Service and Coast Guard officials conducting surveillance around the spill later that day discovered that some of the oil washed onto West Breton Island, covering shoreline and marsh grasses in addition to the birds.

The rookery, which is in Breton National Wildlife Refuge, has been a linchpin in a successful 20-year effort to rebuild the stat’s brown pelican population, which was decimated by the use of pesticides like DDT in the 1950s and 1960s.

The Louisiana Oil Spill Coordinator’s Office, the Coast Guard and other agencies are overseeing the cleanup of the spill. Amerada Hess has hired three companies to do the cleanup.

The Coast Guard was tracking the spilled oil from the air, and its Marine Safety Office New Orleans is investigating the cause of the release.


_______________________________________________________________________________________


Federal and State Agencies Respond to Oil Spill



reprinted from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 14, 2005


Contacts: Lt. Cmdr. Cheri' Ben-Iesau, U.S. Coast Guard, (504) 589-4210 Tom MacKenzie, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 404/679-7291


NEW ORLEANS - The U.S. Coast Guard, Amerada Hess, U.S. Fish & Wildlife, Louisiana Oil Spill Coordinator’s Office (LOSCO), and Louisiana State Department of Environmental Quality are responding to an oil release that occurred at about 9:30 a.m. Sunday at the Amerada Hess operated Breton Sound 51 Platform, located approximately 60-miles south east of New Orleans, La.

Approximately 560 gallons of oil had been discovered spilled when employees re-manned the platform following tropical storm Arlene evacuation.

Response agencies took action immediately and are currently conducting recovery operations and air surveillance.

There has been an unconfirmed number of wildlife possibly impacted by the spill including dead and oiled birds and initial assessments indicate some affected shoreline and marsh grass.

All agencies involved are working diligently to minimize the environmental impact of the spill.

Coast Guard Marine Safety Office New Orleans is conducting an investigation into the cause of the release.

More information will be distributed as it becomes available.


________________________________________________________________________________________


Update: Bird Recovery Numbers for Breton Sound Oil Spill



reprinted from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 17, 2005


Contacts: Tom MacKenzie, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, (678) 296-6400 Amerada Hess, Representative, (504) 458-9521 U.S. Coast Guard, (504) 628-4309


NEW ORLEANS - Federal, state and local agencies continued to work together on June 17 to assist impacted wildlife and minimize further impact to the environment in Breton National Wildlife Refuge after an oil spill Sunday.

As of 3:15 p.m. Friday, June 17, rehabilitation rescue workers reported: A total of 802 birds have been recovered; of these 463 have died.

A safety zone around West Breton Island is still in place for aircraft and vessels - aircraft are not permitted within five miles of the site and vessels within two miles.

The oil spill of approximately 560 gallons was discovered Sunday morning when personnel returned to an Amerada Hess platform after evacuating due to tropical storm Arlene.





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