Lake Pontchartrain: Tar Balls & Oil Slicks Invade
There is now oil in Texas so the entire Gulf is now affected. That said, knowing the role Lake Ponchetrain and the levees played during Katrina I am very concerned knowing the history and how critical this lake is to the region. I do not understand why the oil could not be kept out in the first place but to the east of Lake Pontchartrain, lines of boom wrap around the farthest reaches of St. Bernard Parish, curve across the approaches to Lake Borgne and lie along shorelines. Lake Pontchartrain - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Monday brought dismal news that oil had washed ashore as far west as Treasure Isle in Slidell and that multi-layered defense set up by officials from St. Tammany Parish and New Orleans will now be put to the test. St. Tammany Parish President Kevin Davis, who also surveyed operations in his parish, said officials are watching carefully to see where the oil could show up next.
"We are actively monitoring Lake Borgne, Lake Catherine and Lake Pontchartrain, and using the models to best deploy assets where they will be needed. This is a fight we are committed to, and one which will require both time and resources." They are optimistic but past performance and the magnitude of this should tell anyone their optimism is misguided.
They think the biggest danger comes from oil now spread along the coast from Mississippi to Florida, which can be pushed into the lake by the easterly winds, experts said. On Friday, that oil had reached as far as Cat Island off the Mississippi coast. By Monday, winds had carried the contamination through the Rigolets and Chef Menteur Pass to the shores of Slidell.
They are actively monitoring Lake Borgne, Lake Catherine and Lake Pontchartrain. Knowing there is 140 million gallons out there along with the massive quantities of methane gas under the ocean killing the oxygen supply, plankton, corral, and all life dependent on the sea they batter make alternative plans and prepare for the worst.System in place to try to minimize impact of oil in Lake Pontchartrain
James Joiner
Gardner, Ma
http://anaverageamericanpatriot.blogspot.com
