How You Can Help The Gulf Recover
Posted May 4, 2010 in Curbing Pollution
I’ve made the drive to Venice, Louisiana a couple times now and continue to be amazed by the fragility and uniqueness of the region known as the Bayou. I’m not going to pretend to know the intricacies of the ecosystem the region supports, but I know there are a number of factors beyond the oil spill that contribute to the already fragile wetlands made of up reeds, marsh grasses and the occasional submerged boat.
Louisiana is home to 40 percent of the wetlands — which function as critical buffers against the intense storms and hurricanes that regularly stride onto the mainland — along the Gulf. What toll the BP oil spill will take on these wetlands is only beginning to be seen, but there are a number of groups gearing up for the worst. Following is a list of how you can help.
NRDC is also calling on people to take action and tell Congress to enact clean energy legislation so we can move away from reliance on fossil fuels like the 500,000 gallons currently gushing out of the ocean in the Gulf.
In addition to BP/Federal Government volunteer opportunities, individual states are also mobilizing volunteers. Individual State Oil Clean-up Volunteer Opportunities can be found here.
You can also sign up for spill information updates and volunteer opportunities at Not the Answer website.
NRDC is working with several local environmental groups, click to donate directly to the Louisiana Environmental Action Network (LEAN) and the Gulf Restoration Network.
Louisiana
Mississippi
Pascagoula (MS) River Audubon Society
www.OilSpillVolunteers.com -- organized by residents of Ocean Springs
City of Biloxi
Alabama
Alabama Coastal Foundation
251-990-6002
Info@joinacf.org
Mobile Bay National Estuary Program
251-431-6409
mbnep@mobilebaynep.com
Mobile Baykeeper
251-433-4229
callaway@mobilebaykeeper.org
Alabama Gulf Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau:
Contact the state-organized volunteer bank by dialing 2-1-1 or 888-421-1266
Florida
Other Info:
To discuss oil related damage: 1-800-440-0858
To report oiled shoreline or request volunteer information: 1-866-448-5816
To Report Injured Wildlife:
Oiled Bird Hotline 1-866-557-1401
Pascagoula River Audubon Center
For official Deepwater Horizon Response updates and information:
www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com
(866) 448-5816. To report affected wildlife, call (866) 557-1401, claims (800) 440-0858.
Official spill maps: http://www.southalabama.edu/univlib/govdocs/gd/
A citizen-reported interactive map created by local Louisiana group, Louisiana Bucket Brigade.
EPA’s web site on the oil spill: http://www.epa.gov/bpspill/
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Comments
Michael Alberga — May 4 2010 08:46 PM
I am associated with a company that is trying to get BP to give us a test area where we can prove that we have a product that will help this oil spill and not have an adverse affect. I am hoping someone with some pull will inquire.
is a developer of bioremediation products that are an economical and safe method for cleaning up oil spills and bio-remediating soils contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons and dangerous organic compounds.
The bioremediation process employed by Organic Miracle utilizes beneficial microbes, surfactants, micronutrients and bio-stimulants to decompose contaminate transforming them into harmless byproducts, i.e. water and carbon dioxide.
Our proposal would include the following application:
· All products to be applied are 100% organic – the materials used in oil spill cleanup are derived from naturally occurring and sustainable sources. Our products are non-caustic, non-corrosive, non-flammable and environmentally safe. In addition, our oil spill cleanup products are not harmful to animals, plants and humans.
· Our product used for oil slick cleanup, oil slick dispersant, and soil reclamation is Organic Miracle’s BBWG 701. This product contains microbes that literally dissolve hydrocarbons. BBWG 701 works best in water.
· To disburse the referred to oil slick, our products would be applied via airplane or helicopter at a rate of 90 to 110 gallons per surface acre.
· Products begin working upon contact and usually take 6 – 10 day to totally disperse oil slick.
· BBWG 701 dispersants can also be used on shorelines including beaches, rocks, soil and sea walls. Shorelines subject to strong wave action are cleaned quickly and naturally. Re-application may be necessary in areas where dense hydrocarbon deposits have accumulated. When BBWG 701 is applied to viscous oils on shorelines, where retention time exceeds 24 hours, dilution rates can be increased.
HELP
Jessica Lass — May 5 2010 12:01 PM
Thanks Michael. If you can give us some data from the field on its effectiveness, I’d be happy to run it by our experts. Is there an email address where we can reach you?
Dianne Kristulovich — May 13 2010 09:40 PM
Thank you so much, Jessica.
I am a long-time friend and supporter of the NRDC.
HOWEVER, I'd really like you to take a look at this.
They could be cleaning up the Gulf in a much more 'earth-friendly' manner. I sure with they would get started!!
http://www.obio.com/
www.spillcontainment.com
Diaa Kristy — May 13 2010 09:45 PM
(oops...Hi Michael...sorry I missed you the first time around!) So glad to see we are headed in the same direction!