Date: July 28, 2008

Contact:  Joint Information Center
(504) 393-0372

MISSISSIPPI RIVER OIL SPILL RESPONSE UPDATE 

NEW ORLEANS - Efforts to clean up and contain the nearly 420,000 gallons of oil spilled in the Mississippi River continue Monday.     

The following is the latest information:

•  Ships are moving through the river at a faster pace.  Thirty vessels were moved in or out of the effected areas Sunday and 60 vessels are expected to be moved today.
• More than 72,000 gallons of an oil/water mix has been recovered to date.
• Approximately 1,584 responders from four oil spill response organizations are currently deployed throughout the region affected by the spill.
• The responders are using approximately three tugs, 166 work boats, six barges, 33 skimmers and 17 vacuum trucks to clean up the spill.
• Approximately 200,000 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 has been approved and is being implemented.
• 58 vessels have been decontaminated and released and operations are accelerating
• The Unified Command is working diligently to ensure personal safety, to expedite pollution cleanup and to resume commercial traffic as soon as possible.
• An incident Web site has been established at www.neworleansoilspill.com
• Oiled wildlife can be reported by calling 504-393-0353.
  

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