NEW ORLEANS (AP) - The presidents of seven coastal parishes and
other local officials say the Coast Guard and BP have banded
together and ignored them, and they want a change.
Even though the well is capped, there's still a great need to
protect wildlife, waters and fisheries, restore the damaged coast
and wetlands, and fix economies devasted by the disaster, they said
in a statement released late Wednesday.
State and local governments should be part of all decisions,
planning and other work as cleanup and restoration continues - and
that includes letting local governments help check all equipment,
people and other resources in their areas before any is removed,
they said.
They also want Coast Guard backing if BP disagrees with them,
where scientific or other objective information allows it, and a
60-day recurring budget for each municipality to use in planning
and recovery.
It was signed by the presidents of Plaquemines, St. Tammany,
Lafourche, Terrebonne, Jefferson, St. Mary and St. Bernard
parishes; the mayors of Grand Isle and Lafitte mayors, and two
Jefferson Parish councilmen.

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