Unified Command provides information on LOOP oil spill

Contact: Patrick Courreges, 225-342-0510

HOUMA – The Unified Command overseeing response and cleanup of the February oil spill from the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port (LOOP) today provided additional information on sampling and seafood testing for areas potentially impacted by the oil release.

The Unified Command, consists of the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), The Louisiana Oil Spill Coordinator’s Office (LOSCO) representing federal and state interests and LOOP, as the responsible party. The Unified Command also coordinates with other agencies as needed to address different aspects of the spill response, including the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries (LDWF).

LDWF conducted sampling to test for contamination of shrimp and crab in the areas of Bayou de West, Caillou Bay, Oyster Bayou and Point Au Fer on March 19 and in North Bay Junop and Buckskin Bayou on March 24. Also on March 24, LDWF sampled finfish in Terrebonne Bay and Bay Blanc, as well as shrimp in Pelican Lake and Lake Pelto. LDH sampled oysters in Little Cocodrie Bayou and southeast of Treasure Bayou between March 23 and 24.

The samples from LDH and LDWF will be sent an LDH contracted lab for analysis with results expected by mid-April. The Unified Command will share the results of these analyses when they are received.

The Unified Command is also advising affected communities that LOOP has set up a hotline for those who feel they have been damaged to file claims.

Claims can be filed with a call to the hotline (1-855-566-7558) between 9 a.m. and 9 pm., after which an adjuster will be assigned and expected to make contact within 48 hours.

Those with claims may also go directly the claims office in person between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., located at:

Courtyard by Marriott Houma,

142 Library Dr

Houma, LA 70360

More claims information can be found at https://www.loopllc.com/info-portal, in addition to general information on the overall response.

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