Issues

Impacts & Action: Strategic Responses to the BP Oil Drilling Disaster

On Thursday, June 23, 2011, 76 coastal citizens of Louisiana and Mississippi participated in Getting it Done Together: The Public’s Role in Shaping Our Coast’s Future, organized by the UC and the Delta Discussion Group at Longue Vue House & Gardens in New Orleans.

Leaders in the coastal restoration movement - Mark Davis (Tulane Institute on Water Resources Law & Policy), Drue Banta (Office of the Governor), Leslie Suazo (Office of Coastal Protection & Restoration), Amanda Moore (National Wildlife Federation), and Cynthia Sarthou (Gulf Restoration Network) - prepared attendees to participate in four state and federal processes critical to restoring Louisiana’s coast.

Dr. Scott P. Milroy of the University of Southern Mississippi amplified the necessity of public advocacy with his research presentation on seafood safety concerns from PAH contamination in the Mississippi Sound.

View the full report, presentations & documents shared at the forum in the UC Library.

Background on the Delta Discussion Group:

The Delta Discussion Group (formerly the Delta Working Group) is a multi-stakeholder forum and discussion that initially met in New Orleans on May 25, 2010 to brief on the status and impacts of the disaster, and what a comprehensive strategy of response must include.

Hosted by The Urban Conservancy and the New Orleans Institute @ City-Works, with support from the Tulane Center for Water Resources Law and Policy, The New Orleans Institute at City-Works, The United Houma Nation, the New Orleans Food and Farm Network, Gulf Restoration Network, The Center for the Study of New Orleans at Loyola University, National Wildlife Federation, People’s Environmental Center.

Read the January 25, 2011 report.
Read the May 25, 2010 summary.
Read the May 25, 2010 full report.
See the May 25, 20101 video.
Read the June 23rd Getting it Done Together Public Forum documents and presentations.

The Delta Discussion Group has set up a demonstration web portal, www.oilspilldonation.org for legitimate local Gulf Aid groups. Read the press release.

The wetlands that are in danger are more than just trees. They act as a first line of defense for the communities against hurricanes, storms and tidal surge.

Take Action:
Gulf Restoration Network

Volunteer:
Voice of the Wetlands
Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana

Submit an Incident:
Bucket Brigade

Donate:
Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana
Greater New Orleans Foundation

Report Claims, Oiled Wildlife:
Various phone numbers and webistes

Spill Trajectory Forecasts:
Updated maps from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration showing the predicted trajectory of the oil slick.

News:
Local and national news stories on WWNO

Photographs:
Photos from Times-Picayune - NOLA.com