NEW ORLEANS (AP) - A crude oil spill covers about one-fifth of a
remote national wildlife refuge near the mouth of the Mississippi
River, and another 120 square miles in the Gulf of Mexico.
Coast Guard Lt. Stephen Nutting says the slick covered 16 square
miles of the 76-square-mile Delta National Wildlife Refuge on
Wednesday, and a 12-mile-wide slick stretched 10 miles into the
gulf.
He says nobody has reported affected birds or animals, and more
than 50 people and 16 vessels were working to clean the spill and
protect the environment.
Nutting says a barge dredging for ExxonMobil Corp. reported the
spill early Tuesday. He would not comment on the cause.
About 18,000 gallons of oil leaked from the Cypress Pipe Line
Co. line before the operator, Chevron Pipe Line Co., could close
the broken section.
---

Permalink | Comments