This is the most up to date info from Jeff Sessions office in Washington D.C.
Here is the latest update after the 4:00 conference call with USCG, the Minerals Management Service, and BP:
· The 3 day NOAA trajectory has no onshore impact for Alabama. The outer boundary of the trajectory starts to touch the Mississippi Delta Region/Venice, LA., late Friday night or early Sat. morning. Should this occur it will be in the form of a light sheen.
· The above groups are working with the Fish and Wildlife Service in Louisiana. They are booming off the area and will use propane cannons, scarecrows, and any other measure to keep the birds safe and out of the area.
· The in-situ burning will happen this afternoon and there will be a report of its effectiveness tomorrow- can be 50-90% effective. The in situ burning is a strategy designed to minimize environmental risks by removing large quantities of oil. No populated areas are expected to be affected by the controlled burn operations and there are no anticipated impacts to marine mammals and sea turtles.
· In order to ensure safety during the burning process, the Environmental Protection Agency will continuously monitor air quality and burning will be halted if safety standards cannot be maintained.
· 100,000 feet of boom is being put in place along the Gulf Coast from LA. to Mobile Bay. THIS IS A PRE-CAUTIONARY MEASURE.
· 89,748 gallons of dispersant have been deployed. This is a chemical is United States Coast Guard approved. The dispersant allows the very thin crude oil to be separated into small particles, which then will allow a portion of it to evaporate naturally and the rest to be skimmed by vessels.
· To date 10,206 barrels (428,652 gallons) of an oil-water mix have been recovered.
· A relief well will start drilling on Friday- 1.5 miles from the original site.
· There is a clearly delineated plan for making claims against the Responsible Party in the Oil Pollution Act.
· Lastly, please note that when Exxon Valdez occurred there were no spill contingency plans, no wildlife/ecosystem data in particular areas, and no booming strategy etc.