Terrebonne Parish President Michel Claudet signed a State of Emergency declaration early Sunday morning in response to indication that the oil spill from the BP Deepwater Horizon well blowout was moving west. “This has always been in our operation plan since the beginning of the spill to move methodically in response to the conditions currently facing Terrebonne Parish,” stated President Claudet. It should be noted that the Emergency Declaration does not in any sense mean that the citizenry of Terrebonne Parish are in any danger, because they are not. The declaration allows for emergency budgetary authority during the oil spill crisis. The Terrebonne Parish Emergency Operations Center was also activated Sunday morning to allow for real time monitoring of the spill and for coordination of local efforts. “The citizens of Terrebonne Parish are not in any danger and our water supply is absolutely safe,” stated President Claudet. Training to teach local fisherman how to deploy boom and to assist with oil spill contractors has began in Terrebonne Parish. President Claudet plans to have meetings Sunday evening with Terrebonne Coastal and Levee Authorities as well as members of the State Legislative delegation. President Claudet also has scheduled meetings on Monday morning with more coastal advocates and fisheries officials. Terrebonne Parish has also contracted with an environmental service company to assist the Parish in monitoring the operations to combat the spill. This contractor monitoring will begin work early Monday morning. Terrebonne Parish has an oil spill plan that has been approved by the United States Coast Guard and British Petroleum. As the oil encroaches on the Parish, this plan will guide the battle to preserve the Terrebonne Parish coastal marshes. # # #

Additional Information

• Original Press Release