Sunday, a group of Louisiana Natives left Lafayette to inspect the beaches west of Marsh Island. We came across some oil and had an enjoyable day walking beaches.

Because the currents and winds have shifted there is still time to prepare in Southwest Louisiana, but Alabama will reportedly see oil in the near future.

I got a call from the BP about my inquiry for work on May 2nd. They simply wanted to send me another email about volunteering. I followed up and am still waiting for a way to help.  Cpt. Richard Blink called to let me know that most of the fishermen in Venice are out of work and that many of those employed by BP are already having health problems from dealing with the toxic fumes. I asked him to keep us posted this was his response;

Drew,

I still haven’t been called to go to work by BP after completion of their hazmat and safety training nearly a month ago. Only a few boats are working, this massive number that they give to the press is false. Some fishing boats are getting standby pay tied to the dock. Not much progress is really happening.

I quit my job for this. I was already doing environmental work before the leak started. I resigned from a great job so I could be the more useful. I feel so stupid now. The responsible party does not seem to want any help. They look at us like we’re some backward bayou people but we know this place good and without our help this disaster is going to be even worse.

BP needs to put a bounty on the oil. If you bring in a barrel then you get your daily pay plus a few dollars per gallon. If they just cut some boats loose we could get so much done. I can’t get my head around this inaction? The fishermen here are at the point where we’re about to go out on our own, picking up oil, bring it back to the dock and show the world. These people are fishermen, catching things is what they do!

It breaks my heart to sit at the dock wishing I could go to work to protect this place but can’t. Its almost to the point where I’m going to do it anyway. A cattle rancher has some boom from a spill years ago on his property that I’m about to put out in front of a little bay. If I can save just that one little area it will help me sleep a little better at night.

Thats just the boom situation. Boom doesn’t work in bad weather. What we need is the barrier island plan because It’s harder to clean oil out of the canes and marsh than scrape it off an artificial beach. BP is sitting on a public relations gold mine. They can look like heros and fix this or they can keep doing what they’re doing: nothing. I’m tired of being promised the world and not seeing results.

The school aged kids around here are nervous. They remember the instability they felt after Katrina. They’re worried that they might have to move. Its sad. Even they know that our entire way of life is threatened.

Drew, whenever you come back to south Plaquemines give me a call, we’ll go out in the bayou one last time.

Richie

* tomorrow is the 1st Day of Hurricane Season

* BP workers cleaning the mess (including fishermen) are reportedly being sent to the hospital in larger numbers and kept from wearing respirators

* There are now 11 confirmed cases of Fishermen sick because of working conditions

* Workers are reportedly still being terminated if they insist on working with respirators

* The Attorney General may pursue criminal charges against BP & Lawyers representing Fishermen will be in New Orleans court Friday morning

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