GULF OIL DISASTER

Below are links to several articles discussing skepticism by many environmental scientists regarding government estimates of the fate of the over 200 million gallons of oil released from the blown out Macondo well. Here’s the report that the scientists are questioning.

Scientists question government team's report of shrinking gulf oil spill

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/04/AR2010080407082.html

“…in interviews, scientists who worked on the report said the figures were based in large part on assumptions and estimates with a significant margin of error. Some outside scientists went further: In a situation in which many facts remain murky, they said, the government seemed to have used interpretations that made the gulf -- and the federal efforts to save it -- look as good as possible. "There's a lot of . . . smoke and mirrors in this report," said Ian MacDonald, a professor of biological oceanography at Florida State University. "It seems very reassuring, but the data aren't there to actually bear out the assurances that were made."”

Also see: Federal Report on Oil's Fate in Gulf Raises Eyebrows

Much Gulf Oil Remains, Deeply Hidden and Under Beaches

New U.S. Gulf oil spill report called "ludicrous."

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/08/100805-gulf-oil-spill-cement-static-kill-bp-science-environment/

Scientists cast doubt on claims BP spill's no threat to Gulf

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2010/08/04/98658/scientists-skeptical-of-obama.html#ixzz0vqk8VDcu

BP / Gulf Oil Spill - Curb Your Enthusiasm, Part 3 (Skytruth.org)

http://blog.skytruth.org/2010/08/bp-gulf-oil-spill-curb-your-enthusiasm.html

“Total up the categories NOAA describes as "currently being degraded naturally" and you get 50% of the spilled amount, a whopping 103 million gallons (2.45 million barrels) of oil. That's almost 10 times the size of the official Exxon Valdez spill. Take the report at face value, agreeing that "only" 26% of the oil remains active in the environment, and you're still talking about 50+ million gallons, almost 5 Exxon Valdez spills.”

Investors ask oil majors for offshore drilling safety plans

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN0515061120100805

Barataria Bay oil spill enters cleanup mode

http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2010/08/barataria_bay_oil_spill_enters.html

Nelson's bill would restrict use of dispersants to fight oil spills

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2010/aug/02/nelsons-bill-would-restrict-use-dispersants-fight-/news-breaking/

Centrist Senate Dems may offer compromise on oil spill liability

http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/677-e2-wire/112299-centrist-dems-may-unveil-spill-bill-compromise

WILDLIFE, HUMAN AND ECOSYSTEM IMPACTS

· Amount of Oiled Shoreline; Area Closed to Fishing

· http://app.restorethegulf.gov/go/doc/2931/849155/

· Approximately 649 miles of Gulf Coast shoreline is currently oiled—approximately 371 miles in Louisiana, 112 miles in Mississippi, 75 miles in Alabama, and 91 miles in Florida. Approximately 57,539 square miles of Gulf of Mexico federal waters (approximately 24%) remain closed to fishing. Details can be found at http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/.