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Dear Friends and Neighbors, I recently received the following information from State Representative Linda Harper Brown regarding the BP oil spill as it relates to Texas and thought it might be of interest to you. In the wake of the tragic crisis off the Gulf Coast, Texas legislators are anticipating an array of issues that our state will have to face in the coming months. The Texas General Land Office (GLO) provided a briefing to the Governor's office, Lt Governor's Office, Speakers Office and the Department of Agriculture on the latest developments concerning the catastrophe off the coast of Louisiana. Commissioner Jerry Patterson detailed several items that are pertinent to Texas. The Oil Spill Prevention and Response Program of the General Land Office (GLO) continues to closely monitor the cleanup and migration of the sweet, Louisiana crude being discharged from the leaking riser, fifty miles off the southeast coast of Louisiana. The Gulf of Mexico area, contaminated by oil slicks, has been observed as close as 160 miles from Sabine Pass, Texas. Oil spill trajectory models, fed by data gathered from the GLO's offshore buoy network indicate virtually no westward movement for the next three days. Weather predictions for next week indicate the possibility of some slight westward movement. If oil washes ashore along the Texas coast it will be in the form of tar balls and tar patties, which is different from the floating, hydrocarbon streamers shown on nightly news. These tar balls and patties are heavily weathered from being exposed to offshore elements, which means that the only oil products remaining are the heaviest hydrocarbons. This weathering is due to sunlight exposure, warm water and wind action. Oil is not expected to make landfall (if at all) for another two weeks. Any tar or oily solids that make landfall on Texas beaches from the leaking well is BP's responsibility. Tar balls and tar patties are typically raked or shoveled off the beach and placed in plastic bags for disposal. BP will fund all collection and disposal costs associated with removing the tar from the beaches. The tar removal response effort will be coordinated by the Unified Command, comprised of representatives from BP, the U.S. Coast Guard and the GLO. The Unified Command will also work with local stakeholders to gather their concerns and address any issues raised. Meetings between GLO and local stakeholders have already taken place in Brownsville, Corpus Christi, Dickinson, Angleton and Port Arthur. The GLO has also met with each of the three U.S. Coast Guard Captains with responsibility for the Texas coast. The GLO is also sending a representative to the Area Command location in Louisiana next week for a high level meeting with BP and the USCG. The GLO has provided direct assistance to the response effort and sent 1000 feet of fire boom and two wildlife rehabilitation trailers to Louisiana and Mississippi, respectively. No other assistance has been requested. According to the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), nearly $200 million in aquaculture products are harvested by Texas businesses from the Gulf each year. TDA is working with potentially affected aquaculture businesses to coordinate any relief efforts that may become necessary. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has prohibited commercial and recreational fishing in an area equal to 8% of the Gulf's Exclusive Economic Zone. None of these areas are in Texas coastal waters. NOAA advises that the public should not be concerned about the safety of seafood they are buying at this time. For the most current information that is updated, please visit the Unified Command web site www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com or by contacting the GLO. Texans unite during times of crisis, and this situation will prove no different. However, it is our responsibility to hold those responsible and exercise accountability. Please encourage U.S. Congressmen to consider all the factors of this disaster that relate not only to environmental protection but Texas' businesses. The unsteady economic climate is already sensitive to any fluctuations, and the impact of the spill is yet to be determined in terms of scope but will be monumental. If you are at the beach and see tar balls, call the Texas General Land Office oil spill reporting hotline at 1-800-832-8224. Volunteers are not needed at this time for any cleanup efforts on the Texas coast. Ann Margolin |
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About the tragic environmental crisis off the Gulf Coast...