New oil washes up on shore at Elmer's Island, more new oil sighted near coast

Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries agents are reporting the sighting of new oil washing up on shore at Elmer's Island.  Oil has also been spotted at Red Fish Bay, Bay Jimmy, and Pass-a-Loutre.  It's been over ten months since the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico and British Petroleum (BP) has started withdrawing efforts on cleanup along the Gulf Coast.  This new report of new oil washing up is not only distressing to government officials, but to residents along the Gulf Coast.

Robert Barham, the Secretary for the Department of Natural Resources is calling the departure of the clean up effort by BP unacceptable.  The sightings of new oil are proof that there is still a lot of work to be done.

Elmer's Island seemed to be the most affected area where oil is washing up on the beach.  You can also see mats of crude oil in the water, as well as tar balls.  Elmer's Island was closed following the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and remains closed to fishing and other recreational activities.

Barham is concerned about the cleanup even though the State of Louisiana has the final say as to when the beaches are actually given a clean bill of health and deemed "clean."  However, it is not clear as to whether BP will continue clean up operations.  BP has indicated that they may be pulling out with clean up operations along the Gulf Coast as early as the end of the month.

Mike Utsler, COO of BP’s Gulf Coast Restoration Organization, claims BP will be available long term and continuing clean up efforts for a long time.  He stated they will be monitoring the Gulf waters and shorelines for new oil coming ashore.  Barham resolves to hold BP accountable and make sure the coast of Louisiana gets a fair deal and cleaning.