August 2010

Op-Ed: Oil reform must include citizen advisory committee

This Op-Ed was published in the Biloxi-Gulfport Sun Herald on July 30, 2010.

It is only fair that Gulf Coast residents should get the same chance to shape the future of oil and gas development in our region that Alaskans did following the Exxon Valdez spill. Unfortunately, citizens’ councils that have proved effective in guiding responsible development in Alaska are not part of a Gulf of Mexico drilling bill now before Congress. They should be. [...Read more]

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Bridge The Gulf

Contribute your voice to change the story of the Gulf Coast

Despite the media frenzy that Hurricane Katrina brought to the Gulf Coast, many communities in the region felt that they were either misunderstood or overlooked. That invisibility translated into a failed recovery in many communities where citizens are still without basic needs, including permanent, affordable housing. We are determined that the communities most effected by the BP disaster will be heard and that we will not repeat the mistakes of the past. [...Read more]

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LaTosha Brown

Postcard from the Coast

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Bryan Parras

No Mere Oil Spill

I am but one of many front-line community members and NGO representatives who consider the Obama administration's response to the oil disaster to be slow, fickle and grossly under-scaled -- as well as alarmingly deferential to BP's science, math and broad self-regulation as the so-called responsible party. [...Read more]

Derrick Evans's picture
Derrick Evans

Fishermen from five states speak up to state and federal officials at Gulf of Mexico Alliance meeting

Fishermen presenting their concerns and recommendations today regarding the BP oil disaster received a standing ovation today at the Gulf Coast governors' annual Gulf of Mexico Alliance (GOMA) meeting.  [...Read more]

Derrick Evans's picture
Derrick Evans

Fishermen tell Secretary Mabus: Reopening Gulf waters is unsafe

Today President Obama ate a heaping plate of Gulf shrimp at the White House, in an effort to assure America that the Gulf Coast is open for business.
  [...Read more]

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Ada McMahon

Photos of oily Mississippi beach, as the state halts spending on clean-up

Ada McMahon's picture
Ada McMahon

Gulf fishermen organize to challenge state and federal officials

Like most Gulf state Department heads, Dr. William Walker of the Mississippi Dept of Marine Resources is a virtual "one man gang." Until and unless the eminent Haley Barbour himself calls up to weigh in, Walker answers to no one.

When asked at a recent public forum by US Navy Secretary Ray Mabus to tell the audience which exact body or group of people in Mississippi had considered public health and safety in ruling to re-open State waters and beaches impacted by the now-capped BP Oil gusher - Doctor Walker bellowed from the back of the packed room, "I did!" [...Read more]

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Derrick Evans

PHOTOS: Fishermen find dispersant mixed with oil on Mississippi shrimping and oyster grounds

Ada McMahon's picture
Ada McMahon

New video! Fishermen find dispersants and oil on Mississippi shrimp and oyster grounds

Ada McMahon's picture
Ada McMahon

Press Advisory - Gulf Fishermen Voice Concerns During Obama's Gulf Vacation

PRESS ADVISORY
August 14th 2010
 
Contacts:   
Kathy Birren (Florida) 727-919-5936      
Tracy Kuhns (Louisiana) 504-289-7162
Chris Bryant (Alabama) 251-454-6739     
Thao Vu (Mississippi) 334-501-1839

FISHERMEN & FAMILIES FROM LA, MS, AL AND FL VOICE CONCERNS DURING PRESIDENT OBAMA’S GULF VACATION ABOUT SEAFOOD SAFETY & THEIR FUTURE [...Read more]

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Bridge The Gulf

Bridge the Gulf Youth Media Workshop in Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana

Dana Solet is one of the coordinators of the United Houma Nation's Youth Media Team, and her excitement about using new media is contagious. [...Read more]

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Leah Mahan

Fishermen visit Obama vacation with concerns about Gulf & seafood safety

Ada McMahon's picture
Ada McMahon

26%? That Doesn't Sound Too Bad! Behind the Oil Budget

The nation needs to remain concerned about the bp drillling disaster.
[...Read more]

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Aaron Viles

Fishermen demand more testing in Gulf waters (by Rocky Kistner)

Crossposted from NRDC Switchboard.

Yesterday, on a stormy, rain-splattered Sunday, fishermen and their families from four Gulf Coast states drove to Captain Anderson’s Marina in Panama City, FL. It was the same day the Panama City News Herald front page featured a huge photo of President Obama swimming happily with his daughter in the nearby Gulf. “Dive in, Mr. President,” the headline screamed. [...Read more]

Bridge The Gulf's picture
Bridge The Gulf

Getting Hot in Mississippi: Fishermen advocates confront Gov. Barbour

This message comes from Delores Suarez, a citizen advocate working with fishermen on the Gulf Coast. In her message she refers to: Dr. William (Bill)  Walker, Director of the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources, Mark Stewart, Mississippi fisherman, Richard Gollott, Mississippi's Department of Marine Resources commissioner for the commercial seafood industry, and Linda St. [...Read more]

Bridge The Gulf's picture
Bridge The Gulf

Deep Scattering Layer

I was listening to kpft in Houston and heard this great talk on TUC Radio with Julia Whitty.  I've been particularly concerned with the discussion on what the short and long term environmental impacts of the bp drilling disaster are going to look like.  Much of the media has been reporting that most of the oil is gone. [...Read more]

Bryan Parras's picture
Bryan Parras

Dispersant controversy, oil plumes persist in the Gulf (by Rocky Kistner)

Crossposted from NRDC Switchboard.

Down a winding road that hugs the water of Bayou La Batre in southern Alabama, out-of-work shrimp boats float quietly along the piers. Near the end of the road, the Alabama state dock houses a dozen twin-engine, steel-hulled boats that BP has under contract to do oil cleanup work. Police cars guard the entrance.   [...Read more]

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Bridge The Gulf

Gulf Coast Fund Reports 53 Million Gallons of Oil Remain in Gulf, Disaster Not Over

 Mental Health Crisis Looms as Jobs Disappear; Toxic Dispersant Still Being Used: Unsafe Seafood Threatens Commercial Fishing and Human Health; Dead Wildlife Washing Ashore [...Read more]

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Bridge The Gulf

Check out this NPR story about Sharon Hanshaw and the hard fight on the Mississippi Gulf Coast

If you are having trouble with the player above, read the full story on NPR.org. [...Read more]

Derrick Evans's picture
Derrick Evans