CONTACT: Dan Turner (601) 576-2009; dturner@governor.state.ms.us
Laura Hipp (601) 576-2020;
lhipp@governor.state.ms.us
DATE: April 29, 2010
GOVERNOR BARBOUR KEEPS CLOSE WATCH
ON GULF COAST OIL SPILL
Mississippi agencies cooperate with federal, private efforts
Jackson, Mississippi - Governor Haley Barbour said today that numerous
state and federal agencies are working together in the effort to repel
residue from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill away from the Mississippi
Gulf Coast and to clean areas that might be contacted by the spill.
“While we continue to hope that BP, its contractors and the federal
departments that make up the unified command will succeed in shutting
off the leaks and preventing any landfall by oil, we are preparing for
the worst,” Governor Barbour said. “The state’s effort is being
led by the Department of Environmental Quality and the Department of
Marine Resources. They’re working closely with the private company,
its contractors and the federal government - including the U.S. Navy and
the U.S. Coast Guard - to block oil residue from coming ashore and to
clean up any that does.”
DEQ and DMR are coordinating with contractors to place collection booms
along environmentally sensitive areas, and water, sediment and fishery
samples are being taken. These agencies also have been performing
flyovers to document the conditions of the Mississippi Sound and
adjacent state and federal waters.
The DMR, DEQ and the U.S. Coast Guard are jointly on 24-hour watch to
monitor the situation.
“We’re advised by the federal government there is a possibility
that the leading edge of the oil sheen could make landfall in
Mississippi as early as Saturday,” Governor Barbour said. “We
continue to monitor the situation on a real-time basis.”
BP has setup three call numbers for people to report wildlife problems,
damage or oiled shoreline.
To report oiled wildlife, call 1-866-557-1401 and leave a message.
Messages will be checked hourly.
To discuss spill related damage, call 1-800-440-0858.
To report oiled shoreline or request volunteer information, call
1-866-448-5816.
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