Slices of America: BP/Deepwater Horizon Disaster - Oil Reaches Grand Isle

BP/Deepwater Horizon Disaster Oil Reaches Grand Isle May 22, 2010 / by Taylor Lasseigne Page 1| 2| 3| next page Earlier on the beach, we were given a hard time by Jefferson Parish deputies and Grand Isle police. We came to the conclusion that gaining access to sensitive areas of the island might come easier with credentials. Attempting to become bona fide on Grand Isle might be the most fascinating aspect of our trip. First we spoke to national guardsmen. They denied us entry to the pavilion and suggested that we check in at the community center, with BP representatives. We rolled the dice with the BP reps but were denied again and directed to find "the major" at the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. We found no major, but two gentlemen there informed us that their hands were tied. BP was calling the shots on Grand Isle. The Wildlife and Fisheries workers urged us to return to the Tarpon Rodeo Pavilion and request to speak to a Jefferson Parish sheriff's deputy. Two representatives from the Sheriff's office came out to meet us. They seemed to sincerely want to help us, but in the end, "The system is not yet available for generating passes on site for scientific and media-related entities." We were basically told, "Come back tomorrow". Andy sums it up well, "Exploring the different agencies by trying to get permission to go on the beach was really the most interesting part of the whole day and the most illuminating part about what was really going on." National Guardsmen at the gate to the pavilion Returning to the pavilion for another go at attaining credentials. The Jefferson Parish Emergency Management mobile command center is visible on the right side. enlarge image enlarge image I was very surprised to find Grand Isle State Park open to the public. With that said, the beach was still off limits, leaving only the pier and observation tower fully accessible. On the steps to the observation tower we met AP photographer Patrick Semansky, out of New Orleans. Sadly, even this professional photographer was getting some of the same run-around that we were! On the pier we witnessed many pelicans and dolphins, both in great danger as the coastal waters turn red with crude. enlarge image enlarge image (left) View of Grand Isle from the Grand Isle State Park pier, looking west (right) AP photographer Patrick Semansky We noticed these men earlier, wearing hardhats and life jackets. Now, off of work for the day, they were kicking back and enjoying the beautiful weather. Andy worried about their well-being, "I hope the guys doing cleanup are keeping notes about what they encounter everyday as they may need it in future lawsuits. I'm glad people are getting work, but you know these guys are being exposed to poisonous toxins with really minimal protection." After completely failing to obtain credentials we decide to hit the beach "guerilla style". Upon returning to the same beach from the morning, Andy noted, "There was noticeably more oil in the afternoon. The oil at the wrack line was much more foamy and red". The wrack line runs along the shore and is marked by debris that washes up from the gulf. In the afternoon, the beach was littered with even more tar balls, waves with a red hue crested and crashed ashore. Andy began taking samples of solid oil on the beach and floating red oil from the water. Christopher Esposito walks the beach at Grand Isle, looking for new forms of washed up oil. enlarge image enlarge image enlarge image If you look at the waves on the left, below the rig, you can see red oil. enlarge image enlarge image enlarge image Some of the oil is going to sink and some is neutrally buoyant. This is partly due to the dispersants, and partly due to emulsification. Page 1| 2| 3| next page