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Situation Update 02/16/94

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS BASED ON THE MOST CURRENT DATA PROVIDED TO NOAA.

SSC Evening Report Wednesday, 16 February, 1994:
 
SITUATION UPDATE/ACTIVITIES TODAY (Wednesday, 16 FEB 94):
A meeting with DNR, USFWS and a local Sea Grant representative was held to
discuss concerns regarding perception problems associated with the quality of
local seafood since the spill. The shoreline assessment team was briefed on the
status of Zones 7, 8, and 9 at the 0645 ops meeting.  Tarball removal continues
in 7A, 7D, and Zone 9.  Minor tarball removal and buried tar mat removal
continues in Zone 8.  Zone 7 may be signed off on Friday (18 FEB).  The only
task that remains is to cut out partially buried oiled dead tree roots from the
mid beachface in 7D.  Minor Hotsy ops will be completed tomorrow (17 FEB).  The
tarball removal efforts continue throughout Zone 17 as minor amounts of tar is
still being washed ashore.  Requests for final inspection of Zones 12 and 15
came to the command post today (16 FEB). New zone status maps have been
distributed. Some new tarballs appeared at Zone 18 but were immediately cleaned
by work crews.  It is thought that these new tarballs came form an area of
submerged oil.  Submerged oil operations continue in several areas and are
working effectively.  DNR and the Coast Guard are still discussing options for
contaminated sand related to dredging.  Sand washing and land farming are both
under consideration. A NOAA funded seagrass monitoring study project got
underway today (16 FEB).  Researchers are setting up transect lines in the area
of study which was impacted by oil from the spill. Additional samples have been
sent to LSU and more have been requested from Zones 17 and 18.  

FUTURE PLANS: 
Another meeting is scheduled for Friday to include representatives from FDA, PR
Public Health, Dept. of Agriculture, Dept. of Natural Resources. Environmental
Quality Board, USFWS and Sea Grant.  The purpose of the meeting is to discuss
appropriate steps needed to address public concerns and those of local fisherman
with regard to seafood quality. The USCGD7 Commander is scheduled to arrive
tomorrow (17 FEB) for a briefing at 1300. The shoreline assessment team will
carry out final inspections in Zones 12 and 15 tomorrow (17 FEB).