News - Local
Oil in Lake Pontchartrain
Posted: Jul 5, 2010 4:53 PM by Melissa Canone
Updated: Jul 5, 2010 4:54 PM
NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Until Monday, New Orleans had escaped direct
impact from the BP oil disaster.
That delicate balance changed when balls of tar were found in
the Rigolets, one of two passes that connect Lake Pontchartrain
with the Gulf of Mexico.
"So far it's scattered stuff showing up, mostly tar balls,"
said Office of Fisheries Assistant Secretary Randy Pausina. "It
will pull out with the tide, and the show back up."
Pausina said he expected the oil to clear the passes and move
directly into the lake, taking a backdoor route to New Orleans.
Prevailing east winds since Hurricane Alex have steadily pushed
the oil toward the city's eastern coastline along an arm of the
Gulf. On Monday, the state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to
close the area to fishing.
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