LDWF ANNOUNCES REOPENING OF COMMERCIAL FISHING AREAS
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) – in coordination with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) – has ordered an emergency reopening of commercial fishing areas that were previously closed due to the BP oil spill. Specifically, commercial fishing will reopen for finfish and shrimp in portions of state waters east of the Mississippi River in Orleans, St. Tammany, St. Bernard and Plaquemines parishes effective immediately on, July 29, 2010.
LDWF Secretary Robert Barham ordered these reopenings following the completion of comprehensive testing by the FDA. The FDA has advised that following extensive sensory testing and analytical chemistry results, the fish samples tested from previously closed areas are safe for consumption.
Details on Commercial Fishing Reopening
The opening includes all state waters inside east of the Mississippi River north of the northern shore of Pass a Loutre and all state outside waters north of 29 degrees 12 minutes 40 seconds north latitude
The areas detailed below will remain closed to commercial fishing until further notice due to continued presence of oil:
The portion of state inside and outside waters north of 29 degrees 59 minutes 30 seconds north latitude and south of the Mississippi/Louisiana state line from the Louisiana territorial sea boundary westward to 89 degrees 15 minutes 00 seconds west longitude, and the portion of state inside and outside waters north of 29 degrees 36 minutes 30 seconds north latitude and south of 29 degrees 59 minutes 30 seconds north latitude from the Louisiana territorial sea boundary westward to a line extending 1 mile west from the western shore of the Chandeleur Islands, and the portion of state inside waters north of 29 degrees 45 minutes 00 seconds north latitude and south of 29 degrees 59 minutes 30 seconds north latitude from 89 degrees 09 minutes 00 seconds west longitude westward to 89 degrees 15 minutes 00 seconds west longitude, and the portion of state inside waters north of 29 degrees 47 minutes 00 seconds north latitude and south of 29 degrees 51 minutes 00 seconds north latitude from 89 degrees 15 minutes 00 seconds west longitude westward to 89 degrees 22 minutes 00 seconds west longitude.
These openings do not include the commercial harvest of crabs and oysters.
The FDA testing method for crabs takes significantly longer to process; as such LDWF Secretary Barham chose a phased approach for opening commercial fishing. It is also important to note that the spring inshore shrimp season remains closed except in Lake Pontchartrain, portions of Pass Manchac, Rigoletes and Chef Menteur Passes, portions of Mississippi Sound and the open waters of Breton and Chandeleur Sounds as described by the “double-rig” line.
Click on the following links for a map detailing the new openings.
LDWF COMMERCIAL FISHING CLOSURE
Detail Sheet 1
Detail Sheet 2
Detail Sheet 3
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Scenes from the Gulf Clean-Up: St. Mary's Point / July 29, 2010
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Local Crew Takes On BP In Gulf Clean-Up
BP is overseeing most of the Gulf cleanup crews, but in Plaquemines Parish, a wetland region of southeast Louisiana, independent forces are stepping in. There, parish president Billy Nungesser was unhappy with the pace of BP efforts so he started his own team. The Plaquemines Parish Inland Waterway Strike Force has 49 workers -- Click here for complete story and photos.
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"Moral Philosophy 101"
Special thanks to Daniel Pearlmutter of St. Louis, MO, who is a great supporter to Plaquemines Parish.
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We suggest residents stay up to date by following news, radio, and internet reports during hurricane season. Click on icons for latest information.
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Governor Bobby Jindal visited the Plaquemines Parish EOC Friday, July 23, 2010 and held a press conference at the Government Building.
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South La. sends impassioned plea to Washington
Louisiana Gannett News • July 22, 2010
LAFAYETTE -- Oilfield workers from across South Louisiana made an impassioned plea to Washington Wednesday -- lift the moratorium on deepwater drilling and put the state's biggest industry to work. A crowd of 11,000 people packed the Cajundome in Lafayette on Wednesday for what was called a Rally for Economic Survival. Oil and gas companies brought in workers by the busload to protest a ban industry and government officials fear will lead to an even greater number of job losses across the state.
"This moratorium will turn Louisiana into a state of bankrupt businesses," said Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser, who has become a familiar face on national news outlets as his parish battled the aftermath of the oil spill.
"It will cripple the economy of a state that has come back after Katrina, Rita, Gustav and Ike. And we can't afford to be crippled again."
Outside the arena, hundreds of workers signed their names to a huge banner promoting the rally.
Click Here To View Rally
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Scenes From the Gulf Clean-Up: Local Crew Takes On BP
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NOAA scientists released a data report on air quality measurements taken in June in the vicinity of the Deepwater Horizon/BP oil spill area.
Click the following link to view report.
NOAA Releases Data Report on Air Quality Measurements
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Click Parish Seal To View Plaquemines Parish GATEWAY TO AMERICA
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PUBLIC NOTICE
Unfortunately, disaster is often followed by an influx of unscrupulous people who wish to take advantage of the victims of the tragedy, and the BP oil spill is no exception. It has come to the attention of the Plaquemines Parish Government that some out of state attorneys, who may or may not be authorized to practice law in Louisiana, are coming into the parish to attempt to “help” the Plaquemines Parish victims of this disaster. Please be extra cautious. It is suggested that before signing any documents with these out of state lawyers, you consult with someone you know and trust to understand what you are signing. Make sure you are not getting involved in a “hit and run” relationship with someone who may not even be a lawyer authorized to practice in this state.
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Click here for health related information regarding the oil spill
Click Here For Oil Spill Odor Information
Click on EPA Seal for Air Monitoring
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Plan Basics
Plaquemines Parish plays an important role in the regional economy, providing vital connections between mainland Louisiana, the Mississippi River, and the Gulf of Mexico. The same environmental attributes that help the Parish thrive also put it at high risk of natural disasters. Intelligent planning and land management decisions will help minimize the impacts of potential storms and strengthen the area`s economy and quality of life. The Comprehensive Master Plan will provide the vision and overall framework for the Parish`s recovery, renewal, and strengthening.
Project Goals
The Comprehensive Master Plan will accomplish many importance objectives. The following are some of the key goals of the Plan:
Develop a plan that is comprehensive, strategic, and implementation-focused and is based on solid technical analysis and community input.
Assist with continued recovery efforts from recent hurricanes.
Help the Parish justify and acquire additional state and federal funding.
Build community support and ownership in the Master Plan.
Click The Following Links For More Information
Plaquemines Parish Master Plan Website
Plaquemines Parish Master Plan Newsletter Volume 4
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Click On The Following Links To View Budget
Plaquemines Parish Government 5-Year Capital Improvements Budget
Plaquemines Parish Government Expenditures-Department Summary
Plaquemines Parish Government Revenues-Summary
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BP Oil Spill Information ***
Click here for information about the response effort.
For specific information about the federal-wide response, Click Here. Deepwater Horizon
Joint Information Center
(985) 902-5231
To volunteer, or to report oiled shoreline, call (866) 448-5816. Volunteer opportunities can also be found here. To submit your vessel as a vessel of opportunity skimming system, or to submit alternative response technology, services, or products, call 281-366-5511.
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To report oiled wildlife,
call (866) 557-1401
Messages will be checked hourly.
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Call (800) 659-2955 or (800)-877-8339 for the hearing impaired,
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To file a claim with BP, visit www.bp.com/claims or call BP’s helpline at (800) 440-0858. A BP fact sheet with additional information is available here. Those who have already pursued the BP claims process and are not satisfied with BP’s resolution, can call the Coast Guard at (800) 280-7118. More information about what types of damages are eligible for compensation under the Oil Pollution Act as well as guidance on procedures to seek that compensation can be found here. In addition, www.disasterassistance.gov has been enhanced to provide a one-stop shop for information on how to file a claim with BP and access additional assistance—available in English and Spanish. Any members of the press who encounter response personnel restricting their access or violating the media access policy set forth by Admiral Allen should contact the Joint Information Center. Click here for more information, including a list of regular embed opportunities. *********************************************
Click On Newspaper For Latest News
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