Unified Command responds to Oil & Gas mixture release near Garden Island Bay, LA

NEW ORLEANS — The Coast Guard, Spectrum OpCo, LLC, and the Louisiana Oil Spill Coordinator's Office (LOSCO) established a Unified Command in response to an oil and gas mixture release in a marsh environment near the operators Garden Island Bay Production Facility company's well in Plaquemines Parish, southeast of New Orleans, Louisiana, Saturday.

An overflight by an LOSCO aircrew confirmed the presence of crude oil. The operator is implementing its federal and state approved emergency oil spill response plan.

The operator has organized response resources through Forefront Emergency Management and local Oil Spill Removal Organizations including Environmental Safety & Health Consulting Services, Inc. and Clean Gulf Associates.  

The Unified Command is coordinating with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, Forefront Emergency Management and other federal, state and local agencies to ensure the safety of the public and respond to the incident. 

Overflight assessments are scheduled daily. There have been no reports of injuries, or wildlife impacts.

Mariners are encouraged to report any observations of oil to Coast Guard Sector New Orleans Command Center at 504-365-2200 and any observation of impacted wildlife to Wildlife Hotline Phone Number at 832-514-9663

Spectrum OpCo, LLC is the responsible party.

The cause of the incident is under investigation.

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