OIL DISASTER IN THE GULF UPDATE: June2nd Day 44 Updates in Gulf

( Gannett gets cared for....do #FF @IRBBC for more bird,wildlife updates...)
To see more photos of damaged animals and wildlife and marshes and wetlands This photo collection from Amy with GreenPeace is stunning....and heartbreaking, but must be shared.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Updates from Tuesday Evening June 1st

(1) By the time the evening news was on CNN and all evening news were reporting that 31% of Gulf is closed to fishing due to the Oilspill. (Click this map and you can see how the NOAA maps have expanded.)

(2)4PM Tuesday BreakingNews:Attorney General Opens Criminal Probe of Gulf Oil Spill. Most of the News Stations covered it in a variety of ways, but this is Holder's Actual Prepared Statement regarding opening Investigations and Reviews in the Gulf. It would have been helpful if more of the Stations had aired and re-aired the actual reading by Holder of this statement.
From Holder's Prepared Statement ( section ):
"There is one thing I will not let be forgotten in this incident: In addition to the extensive costs being borne by our environment and by communities along the Gulf Coast, the initial explosion and fire also took the lives of 11 rig workers. Eleven innocent lives lost. As we examine the causes of the explosion and subsequent spill, I want to assure the American people that we will not forget the price those workers paid.

During the early stages of the response efforts, I sent a team of attorneys including the head of the Environment and Natural Resources Division, Ignacia Moreno, and the head of our Civil Division, Tony West, to New Orleans to lead our efforts to protect not only the people who work and reside near the Gulf, but also the American taxpayers, the environment and the abundant wildlife in the region. They have been working diligently ever since to gather facts and coordinate the government’s legal response.

As we move forward, we will be guided by simple principles: We will ensure that every cent of taxpayer money will be repaid and damages to the environment and wildlife will be reimbursed. We will make certain that those responsible clean up the mess they have made and restore or replace the natural resources lost or injured in this tragedy. And we will prosecute to the full extent any violations of the law.

Among the many statutes Department attorneys are reviewing are:

The Clean Water Act, which carries civil penalties and fines as well as criminal penalties;
The Oil Pollution Act of 1990, which can be used to hold parties liable for cleanup costs and reimbursement for government efforts;
The Migratory Bird Treaty Act and Endangered Species Acts, which provide penalties for injury and death to wildlife and bird species; and,
Other traditional criminal statutes.
There are a wide range of possible violations under these statutes, and we will closely examine the actions of those involved in this spill. If we find evidence of illegal behavior, we will be forceful in our response. We have already instructed all relevant parties to preserve any documents that may shed light on the facts surrounding this disaster. "
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

(3) OIl has started to reach other States now as reported from Miami Herald reports from Alabama on the beaches there being reached. As of Tuesday afternoon St.Petersberg Times was reporting that the OIlspill was to reach the Panhandle by Wednesday or by Friday at the very latest.

As we watch the Oilspill growing and reaching towards Florida, we also see it reaching the shores of Alabama and Mississippi from CCN reports. The spill has grown to 31,000 square miles.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(4) June 1st is when all NOAA /USGS projection Maps are released. This Map shows Current Ocean Conditions in the Gulf of Mexico. Estimate of surface currents with the Deepwater Horizon location and spill accounted for. ( For people following and tracking the Hurricane Season this map is a must see) NOAA and other researchers are examining and overlaying the Oil Spill maps with Hurricane projection Maps, This NOAA map also shows new Spill Map.

(5) There are a variety of Researchers in the Gulf Studying the Underwater Plumes, Researchers track path/data of oil from rig spill. Much of the oil may in the form of vast underwater plumes. BP has been trying to allay concerns and say that the Spill is lessoned by the Dispersants at the Pressers, but the true concern is the amount of oil and with the addition of the dispersant what is going on below the surface.
Univ. of Georgia Marine Blogging Scientists Tracking 'Second Plume' in Gulf, and this blog has their research, their imagery and ongoing research and analysis. Really helpful blog.

(6) As the Spill grows, the BP new plan is to contain not stop the Flow, their website has more on that situation. By Tuesday evening 8pm the pipe had been altered( sawed) and the oil was coming out at much faster rate on the Gushercam. BP had warned that the increased flow could be 20% while they attempt this new Capping process. ( For those of us that are amateurs watching we are still confused why Barges, Tankers were never brought in to suck up the Flow or even surface oil ). The next 24 hours will determine the success of latest "strategy". Otherwise the Work on the Relief Well(s) goes on and will not be complete until August at the earliest.

(7) As of Tuesday Evening Mattingly of CNN reported that the Federal government will no longer do joint pressers with BP.Thad Allen of the Coast Guard will give updated briefings daily. ( It was unclear if all other Governmental divisions will as well.)

(8) Tonight Dr.Gupta will join CNN to discuss Health Risks associated with the Oil Spill and the Risks to Clean Up Workers and Residents. ( Dispersant issues hopefully will also be brought to light and needed Respiratory Precautions).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dr. Ricki Ott Marine Biologist explains the Lessons from the Valdez Disaster:

(Enigma Note: Some who read my twitter page have seen my concerns about NOAA and other divisions, including Coast Gaurd being at the pressers to support BP, and also that BP uses NOAA data on their website.It also raises concerns as to is BP using our Governmental Agencies to support their efforts or even be dimissive of American Concerns ( regarding spill's spread and
health concerns. I stand by what I said, that NOAA and other agencies , even the Coast Guard should not be USED by BP. It in my mind brings up propaganda issues, or at least poorly staged PR stunts. If you scroll down especially to weekend posts there is plenty of video posted that raises those concerns.)