Gulf oil spill: Breton wildlife refuge closed to public as spill spreads

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service closed Louisiana's Breton National Wildlife Refuge to public entry Friday, including the Chandeleur Islands, where oil has already made landfall.

The agency said the closure was aimed at minimizing disturbance to nesting colonial sea birds, and to allow personnel conducting cleanup operations and recovery efforts to work safely and efficiently.

Oil is now on both sides of the island chain, the agency confirmed.

"Service personnel and oil response teams have been deployed to conduct and manage cleanup operations. Recoverable oil will be removed, impacted areas cleaned and protection efforts continued," the service said in a statement.

--Ashley Powers

Photo: Mark Stebley, who has been fishing the waters off the Chandeleur Islands for 25 years, says he's never seen anything like this oil spill. "It's not too late," he said. "If they would only do something now." Credit: Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Bill carson]

On April 27, 2003, eight years ago the Bouchard Barge B-120 hit an obstacle in Buzzards Bay, creating a 12-foot rupture in its hull and discharging an estimated 100,000 gallons of No. 6 oil. The oil is known to have affected an estimated 90 miles of shoreline, killing 450 numerous bird species the day it happened, and recreational use of the bay, such as shell fishing and boating.

We need to review the George Stephanopoulos interview the other day in which the Coast Guard Rear Admiral Mary E. Landry told George there was no leak! Where did the Rear Admiral get this faulty information and who does are government think they are dealing with?

The residents of the Gulf need to know ; Don't Take Any Wooden Nickels -document everything with photos ,dates time and places .

Dawn dishsoap is the only soap to use on yourself and oiled birds . It worked on the Exxon Valdez spill and the bouchard B -120 spill in Buzzards Bay Massachusetts

[Darla West]

First of All,

Thanks to all the professional wildlife rescue teams going or those already there at the Chandeleur Island sites. Its a very big risk to the lives of those helping to recover oiled wildlife and washing them.
But, without your concentrated efforts, all of the birds, turtles,etc, and especially the endangered species would be wiped out.

If the birds could talk, they would thank you themselves.

Also, I think the public realizes by now, it is better to send the professionals to do the job correctly, instead of the public going down there and getting in the way and creating a bigger problem.

Ya'll are in my prayers.

Thanks again,
Wildlife Admirer,
Darla West