Sierra Club Director Calls Oil Spill America's Chernobyl
The oil spill situation does not look good for the Gulf of Mexico coast. NBC reports that Louie Miller, the Mississippi director of the Sierra Club, says, "This is America's Chernobyl ... It's going to destroy the Mississippi Gulf Coast as we know it."
There are already reports of local residents along the Louisiana and Mississippi coast smelling oil. Oil covered birds and dead turtles have been found. There is also the possibility the oil could impact the east coast of Florida if it gets caught in the Gulf Stream. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar is warning that the situation is potentially catastrophic.
Appearing on CNN's "State of the Union," Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and Adm. Thad Allen, the commandant of the Coast Guard, warned the leaking oil from a rig explosion could continue for weeks with dire consequences.
"It potentially is catastrophic," Salazar said. "I think we have to prepare for the worst."
That would mean oil damaging sensitive coastal wetlands and industries, including a vital fishing sector that was damaged by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
There is some hope that eventually the oil will stop gushing from the well. MSNBC reports that BP is building three 74 ton domes to stop the leak. However, it will be another eight to ten days before the first dome is ready. There will be questions asked about why BP didn't have domes like this ready to go before the incident.
CNN reports that President Obama is Louisiana to observe the growing oil slick. Strong winds along the Louisiana coast are currently hampering clean up efforts. Take a look:
