Lafourche Parish oil spill cleanup efforts continue
RACELAND, La. (WGNO) — As of Sunday, July 28, response efforts continue following an oil spill in Bayou Lafourche.
The spill was first reported at 7:50 a.m. on Saturday, July 27, and came from inside the Crescent Midstream Crude Oil Facility in Raceland. The cause has since been contained.
Lafourche Parish government officials released an update from Unified Command, which reported there are 117 workers on the location, 28 total vessels, seven vacuum trucks, 11 drum skimmer packages, 13 wash drum packages, 6,800 feet of boom and additional equipment.
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A report of the wildlife impacted by the spill includes 17 aquatic salamanders, three turtles and one crawfish. Parish officials add that three alligators were reportedly oiled but unable to be captured.
They also noted three ducks were reportedly oiled, with one being captured and brought to a rehabilitation location.
Parish officials also said a fish kill was reported in the area and is under investigation.
- (WGNO/Jordan Lippincott)
- (Courtesy: Lafourche Parish Unified Command)
- (Courtesy: Lafourche Parish Unified Command)
- (Courtesy: Lafourche Parish Unified Command)
Members of the public are asked to report any wildlife impacted by oil in their area to 832-514-9663 but are also advised to avoid the animal and avoid trying to capture it.
In a 4 p.m. update, Unified Command officials reported “An estimated total volume released from the system based on engineering calculations, along with on-scene assessments has been calculated to be a total of 820 barrels,” which is about 34,440 gallons.
They said that volume of oil is equal to the amount of oil that was released to the facility ground and Bayou Lafourche.
Unified Command officials report they are continuing to conduct air monitoring for the duration of the event and that public water remains safe to drink.
For traffic in the area, the right northbound lane of Louisiana Highway 1 is closed approaching Highway 90 due to clean-up equipment staging.
The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Department has enforced the United States Coast Guard closed the bayou to mariners from the Louisiana Highway 182 bridge in Raceland to the Saltwater Control Structure in Lockport.
Damage to personal property as a result of the spill can be reported to 833-812-0877.
In a Tuesday update, Unified Command leaders said 10 more workers have been deployed, making the total number of workers 127. They also said one oiled alligator was captured and taken to a rehabilitation facility.
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