You can probably imagine the amount of e-mails I've received during the past few days from people who love this little piece of paradise and are concerned about the situation. As most everyone knows by now, it is not a matter of if the oil spill will move this way, but when it will arrive.
Until now I haven't written anything about it on my blog. I have always tried to keep my blog upbeat and positive, dedicated to sharing the beauty of our barrier island with others who can't be here on a full time basis. The last couple of days I've been too depressed to post because I can't come up with anything positive to say about the situation. Things are going to change for us -- soon.
Every time I think things can't get worse, they do. The Mobile Press-Register is reporting that a confidential government report on the unfolding oil spill now fears the well could become an "unchecked gusher shooting millions of gallons of oil per day into the Gulf". This afternoon the Governor of Florida issued a state of emergency for the counties of Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Bay and Gulf.
In regard to our marine life and waterfowl, you may click HERE to read the list of approximately 400 species that are now threatened by the oil spill
My first sea turtle patrol is scheduled for Sunday morning. I have no idea what, if anything, I will see at that point. As with other catastrophic events, it takes a while to process the enormity of the situation and deal with the helplessness of knowing there is really nothing we can do...except cry and pray for paradise.
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8 comments:
DJ, I am feeling the sadness of it all. Helpless. Yesterday I came home from work and just cried because the oil was already in the Mississippi delta. I can't bear to think about the end results this disaster is going to have.
I am sad. Angry. Very angry. And I don't know what to do.
I thought they had skimmer ships that could suck oil off the water Where are they.
Everytime I hear the latest update on the news I get a sick feeling in my stomach. I, too, thought they would be more prepared to stop a spill. I truly hope they can get it sealed up before it does anymore damage.
Freddy has been keeping everyone posted on weather and winds and already the first oil covered bird came ashore ia La. This makes me angry and sad and frustrated that the only positive thing we can do is rescue as many as we can Will we ever learn to preserve the beauty we have been given? p.s. miss you much dj
DJ..
Even out here in Denver..
my heart is breaking with sadness.
of as you so eloquently stated..
with the enormity of it all..
the destruction of pristine beauty..
oil marred beaches and waters..
threatened environmental impact..
breeding/nesting season for birds..
the sea turtles..
threatened economic impact..
loss of seafood; oyster, shrimp and fish industries..
and all related jobs..
Tourism..Sportfishing, hotel and restaurant revenue generated from tourists being in the area..
not to mention all the millions of dollars already spent repairing destruction from Katrina and lesser hurricanes..
It is so mind boggling to think we are almost into hurricane season again..can you imagine windborne oily debris?
yes..you are right..
cry and pray that the well is capped soon..
and our paradise is not totally lost..
sadly..
Loui♥
Hi DJ, I will be out cleaning up my section of beach tomorrow from Mildreds house to Karen's. With all this sadness I witnessed an lovely wedding on the beach this evening. Life can be cruel but a new beginning always grows. We will clean our beaches and life will go forward.
You my dahling are the best of the best.
Scottie
I'm praying that somehow the mess will be stopped before it gets worse. My heart is breaking for the region. for the animals. BP is a big player up here on the North Slope. They often have community barbeques to try and get in good with the people. They want to drill out in the waters here too. I took a photo from the recent spring festival parade in Barrow. A BP truck is decorated in green sparkly streamers, butterfies, and flowers, trying to show how 'green' they are. Such a contradiction to the truth. It should have been decorated in oil sludge. Im going to light a candle and pray some more for good luck down there.
Hi DJ,
As I said in an earlier email, I'm thinking of your area and very concerned. I live on Long Island Sound and BP's "spill" is larger than our Sound. BP is a shameless profiteer that has put their profits ahead of human safety and the beautiful Gulf environment. I urge your readers to take a few minutes to call BP and voice their outrage. The BP site is covering this event as if THEY are the HEROES and victims of this. It's positively criminal. So many people like you work so hard to protect the Gulf--and to see it destroyed like this is just horrific. Also, remember, if your property is damaged (including your property value) by the oil, you can (and should!) file a claim against BP directly. Yes, you can personally sue them--and the loser pays all legal costs, so it will cost you nothing. The claims number is on their site: http://www.bp.com/bodycopyarticle.do?categoryId=1&contentId=7052055
I wish the Gulf and its residents well and I hope the most dire predictions don't become reality. But keep posting the news of what is happening, of what you can see on your beach, because the world needs truthful firsthand accounts.
Nature will survive and recover--but lessons must be learned! And BP must pay for every penny of this disaster.
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