Controlled Burn Planned After Oil Spill in Delta Natl. Wildlife Refuge

"Officials from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Coast Guard announced Monday they were working to mitigate damage from a spill of crude oil within the Delta National Wildlife Refuge.

The agencies reported that a silver sheen of oil was spotted by an aerial overflight last Wednesday (May 28). An investigation determined the source of the crude oil discharge was a leaky bulk line buried under the surface of the marsh and that the Houston-based Texas Petroleum Investment Company was the responsible party.

Officials estimated the leak's volume as equivalent to about 50 barrels. They said an estimated 10 acres of fresh-water marsh in a remote section of the refuge was impacted, in an area located about 10 miles southeast of Venice in Plaquemines Parish. Access to the area was said to be difficult, with cleanup crews limited to flat-bottomed boats once inclement weather had passed."

Ken Daley reports for the New Orleans Times-Picayune June 2, 2014.