The Gulf Oil Disaster - Up-close and Personal from a local Catholic Charities Leader

'It's worse than Hurricane Katrina, Rita, Gustav and Ike.'

In the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux the spill has impacted 3500 resident fishermen, oystermen and trawlers along with 1100 crabbers, 232 seafood dealers, 375 seafood transport companies and 175 recreational fishing charter boats. If there is a long term moratorium on drilling the area could lose  12,000 jobs and 40,000 to 75,000 jobs in companies that provide food and supplies for drilling operations.

WASHINGTON, DC (Catholic Online) - Webster defines the word "impact" as "the striking of one body against another; effect or influence, especially in a significant or undesirable manner; a forceful collision."

All three definitions would qualify in describing the impact of the explosion and oil disaster that began on British Petroleum's Deepwater Horizon drilling platform in the Gulf of Mexico. The effect has been devastating for the residents and land along our nation's southern coast. In recent years that area has been the scene of the costliest natural disaster - Hurricane Katrina, and the costliest man-made disaster - oil.

Catholic Online recently participated in an interview, conducted by Dan Misleh, Director of the Catholic Coalition on Climate Change, which featured Mr. Rob Gorman, Executive Director of Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux in Louisiana. The diocese is located in the wetlands area southwest of New Orleans, right on the Gulf coast.

What Gorman described provides a both a clear and Catholic perspective into the tragedy the area is currently experiencing humanly, economically and environmentally.

"It's worse than Katrina and Rita," Gorman stated. "In Katrina and Rita - and after that in Gustav and Ike - for a lot of our people the homes flooded which has not occurred with the oil spill.

"What is different with the oil spill... Well, the folks in southern Louisiana have become quite adept at hurricanes. When a storm comes into the Gulf we know where it is, what category it is and when it's going to hit. Then we start re-building and recovering. We all get nervous during hurricane season but the disaster follows a very predictable pattern.

"With the oil spill, the difference is - we just don't know. This thing is going on every day. We don't even know how much oil is being pumped out into the Gulf. So, the level of anxiety is incredibly high. We just haven't a clue on how this is going to play out; even the scientists will tell you they just don't know."

For those in the area who make their living on the water, the future is a major question mark. Those who work on trawlers don't know whether they will be able to go this year or even after that. They are also not sure what the impact will be on shrimp, for example, for years to come. The same is true for crabbers and oystermen.

The oil disaster is already having a two-fold effect on the coast - environmental and economic. Gorman addresses both of those concerns.

The barrier islands have been the topic of conversation often in recent newscasts, but they do not constitute the greatest point of apprehension.

"Anything that has a sandy beach is going to be impacted and it's a concern. But it's not the level of concern we have for the marshes that are a part of the mainland behind those barrier islands.

When the oil gets behind those barrier islands and starts hitting the marsh grass in the wetlands, that marsh grass may turn brown or die if the oil stays on the surface. If oil gets beneath the surface or the tides go down and the roots are killed, the plants will not recover."

Wetland grasses hold the soil together to create the marsh which is a critical component in a very fragile ecosystem. In addition, the wetlands form a critical part of the food chain for birds and other animals plus serving as nurseries of fish, crabs and shrimp for the Gulf of Mexico. For migratory birds traveling to and from South America, the wetlands are one of their primary stops.

The economic impact, even when viewed in one of the smallest dioceses in America, is devastating. Around 30 percent of all seafood consumed in the United States comes from Louisiana.

In the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux alone, Gorman reported that the spill has directly impacted 3500 resident fishermen, oystermen and trawlers along with 1100 crabbers. In addition, 232 seafood dealers, 375 seafood transport companies and 175 recreational fishing charter boats.

Should a long-term moratorium on drilling also take place, the area could lose as many as 12, 000 jobs plus an additional 40,000 to 75,000 jobs in companies that provide food and supplies for drilling operations.

The spill is ultimately having an effect on approximately 140,000 restaurant workers and 300,000 jobs in the recreational fishing industry.

Prior to the Gulf oil disaster, the largest oil spill in recent history was the Exxon Valdez which took place on March 24, 1989 in Prince William Sound, Alaska. According to reports, the Gulf oil leak is equal to having an Exxon Valdez disaster every 4 to 7 days.

Experts from Alaska have visited the area impacted around southern Louisiana and offered some critical observations for responders. The first two comments they offered are of particular importance to the work of Catholic Charities.

First, take health concerns seriously. Local boat crews who are assisting with spill efforts normally wear only boots and gloves for protection. The oil as well as the chemical dispersants being used can produce serious health risks. In addition, the "top kill" compound that was initially tried is composed of some very toxic and dangerous components that are still in the water.

Second, look for spikes in mental health issues. This disaster is taking a personal toll on residents. Experts are cautioning the there may be a significant increase in depression, drug and alcohol abuse as well as domestic disturbances.

In addition, Alaskans encouraged the organizing of citizen trustee councils to participate in the regulatory issues that will arise from this tragedy.

They were optimistic, however, in distinguishing one particular difference between the two oil spills. The Gulf of Mexico has microbes that may attack the oil more aggressively than what took place in the colder arctic waters.

With over 30 percent of the Gulf of Mexico off-limits to commercial and recreational fishing, the future is truly in question for many who live along its shores. As Catholics, we need to stand behind and support the work of Catholic Charities in all the affected regions.

Above all else, however, let's stand together in prayer for the workers who died or were injured on Deepwater Horizon, their families, those who are attempting to stop the leak, those involved in the cleanup along with the people and lands of the Gulf coast.

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Randy Sly is the Associate Editor of Catholic Online and the CEO/Associate Publisher for the Northern Virginia Local Edition of Catholic Online (http://virginia.catholic.org). He is a former Archbishop of the Charismatic Episcopal Church who laid aside that ministry to enter into the full communion of the Catholic Church.

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