Ocean Springs News
OS Prepares for Possible Oil Spill Affecting Coastal Waters, Beaches, Marshes, and Wildlife
Ocean Springs, MS – City of Ocean Springs Department Heads met today with Emergency Management staff, Mayor Connie Moran and a representative of the University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, to discuss the possibility of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill affecting area beaches, waters, marshes, and wildlife.
City officials are in contact with representatives of British Petroleum, the Coast Guard, Jackson County Emergency Management, the Pascagoula River Audubon Center, and state agencies. Currently, the Coast Guard and its contractors have begun boom efforts to protect the south side of the Barrier Islands and environmentally sensitive areas.
A citizen volunteer group is currently being organized in Ocean Springs. A web site is under construction for those who wish to volunteer for training to clean the beach and marshes. This website will be linked to the city web site, www.oceansprings-ms.gov on Friday.
The Pascagoula River Audubon Center will organize training on cleaning wilfelife affected by the oil spill. Volunteers may register their contact information at the center’s web site, http://pascagoulariver.audubon.org/issues-action/oil-spill-efforts. To report oiled or injured wildlife, call 1-800-557-1401.
“We welcome all volunteers,” said Moran, “but it is important that people receive training and proper equipment for any clean-up effort, led by BP and expert agencies. This should be recognized as hazardous work.”
Under the direction of Jackson County, the Ocean Springs Small Craft Harbor will place protective booms, in needed. Harbor Master Lesley Hamm will monitor that situation and notify boat owners if the booms are placed.
For the latest information on the containment of the oil spill, visit the unified command web site, www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com.
