October 4, 2011                                                                                                                                    Contact: Casi Callaway: callaway@mobilebaykeeper.org
Executive Director & Baykeeper  251-433-4229

Save Our Gulf members of the Waterkeeper Alliance Release Comprehensive State of the Gulf Report

Released today, “The State of the Gulf: A Status Report from the Save Our Gulf Waterkeepers in the Wake of the BP Oil Disaster”
                                                                                                                                                                 
Click to download report in PDF

Written from the perspective of the seven members of Waterkeeper Alliance situated on the front lines in the Gulf Coast region whose communities continue to be directly impacted by this ongoing disaster.   The State of the Gulf report documents the progress, current conditions and makes quantitative recommendations for the restoration efforts after the Gulf Coast region experienced the worst environmental disaster in the history of the United States caused by the fatal blowout on the Deepwater Horizon oil rig, contracted by BP.

Save Our Gulf was formed as a direct response to this devastating environmental and human tragedy, to ensure those responsible are held accountable for the restoration of their communities and waterways.  The 7 regional Gulf Coast members of the international environmental organization Waterkeeper Alliance are;  Galveston Baykeeper,    Atchafalaya Basinkeeper,   Lower Mississippi Riverkeeper,  
 Louisiana Bayoukeeper,  Mobile Baykeeper,   Emerald Coastkeeper  and  Apalachicola Riverkeeper.

            Highlights: State of the Gulf Report

Key Findings:

¬    The necessity for long-term environmental monitoring
¬    The BP oil disaster is an ongoing disaster
¬    It affects both the nation and the Gulf Coast states
¬    Critical need for citizen participation in restoration decision-making process
¬    The growing public health concerns in Gulf Coast communities are not being addressed and need to be
¬    All Clean Water Act fines need to be dedicated to Gulf Coast restoration
¬    Importance of the Gulf Region to show leadership by rebuilding, recovering, and restoring sustainability

Topics & Discussions:

¬    Citizen Monitoring; Results of Save Our Gulf’s Sampling & the examination of Government Sampling:
According to the testing results collected and analyzed by the Save Our Gulf Waterkeepers, the proclamation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that the Gulf seafood was and continues to be safe for regular consumption may have been premature.  Waterkeepers will continue to monitor for impacts.

¬    Need for Funding Impactful Restoration:
This was the largest man-made environmental disaster in our nation’s history.  In addition to long-term monitoring, the Gulf Coast needs to invest in environmental restoration.  Clean Water Act fines from the BP oil disaster should come back to the Gulf Coast for restoration to ensure that the region and its resources are able to fully recover.  

¬    Where Do We Go from Here?   Creating an Action Plan for Recovery & Preventing Future Spills.
After a short offshore oil-drilling moratorium, permits are being issued with no significant technological procedures adopted to prevent future spills of this magnitude. The BP oil disaster proved the industry and the federal and state government agencies regulating and monitoring these permits were not, and are still NOT prepared for Oil Spills of National Significance. Save Our Gulf believes that a Regional Citizens Advisory Council should be implemented, and that comprehensive long-term environmental monitoring will be essential to understand, protect, and restore the Gulf Coast.

About Mobile Baykeeper: Mobile Baykeeper provides citizens a means to protect the beauty, health and heritage of the Mobile Bay Watershed, Alabama’s waterways and coastal communities.  Priorities of the organization are clean water, clean air and healthy people along with responsible government and a healthy economy. Follow Mobile Baykeeper on Facebook and on Twitter at @MobileBaykeeper.

About Save Our Gulf:  Save Our Gulf is a coalition of Waterkeepers brought together in the wake of the BP oil disaster to lead the fight to restore and protect local watersheds, coastal communities and the Gulf of Mexico.  We hold polluters and decision makers accountable and promote the sustainability of our communities.  Our vision is for all communities to have waterways that are swimmable, drinkable and fishable. Follow Save Our Gulf on Twitter at @saveourgulf

About Waterkeeper Alliance: is a global environmental movement uniting more than 190 Waterkeepers around the world and focusing citizen advocacy on the issues that affect our waterways, from pollution to climate change. Waterkeeper Alliance is the voice for the world’s waters. Follow Waterkeeper Alliance on Facebook and on Twitter at @Waterkeeper.