CORRECTION: Update - Unified Command Responds to Mississippi River Oil Spill

DATE: July 26, 2008 2:28:37 PM CDT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



Press Release	Date: July 26, 2008, 1:30 p.m. Contact: Joint Information Center (504) 393-0372
Unified Command Responds to Mississippi River Oil Spill
NEW ORLEANS - Efforts to contain and clean up the nearly 420,000 gallons of oil spilled in the lower Mississippi River continue Saturday. The following is the latest information: More than 48,000 gallons of an oil water/mix has been recovered to date. Approximately 795 responders from four oil spill response organizations are currently deployed throughout the region affected by the spill. The responders are using approximately three tugs, 71 work boats, 7 barges, 33 skimmers, 10 vacuum trucks, to clean up the spill. Approximately 188,000 feet of boom is deployed. All water intakes are open except one near Boothville, close to mile marker 19. A plan to salvage the barge is being developed. Ninety-five vessels are currently waiting to transit the river. Approximately 50 vessels planning to transit the waterway are expected to arrive in the area throughout Sunday. One oiled dove was captured and cleaned. The Unified Command is working diligently to ensure personal safety, to expedite pollution mitigation efforts and to resume commercial traffic as soon as practically possible. An incident website has been established at www.NewOrleansoilspill.com Citizens can report oiled wildlife by calling 504-393-0353. ###