The Coast Guard is releasing a plan today, devised with state and parish officials, about how best to respond to an oil spill.
The Coast Guard is hosting a signing ceremony for the Geographic Response Plan, according to Coast Guard Lieutenant Lily Zepeda.
She says the need for better coordination came about after reviewing the response to the BP spill three years ago.
“It affected a lot of people so we want to minimize that next time.”
Officials signing off on the plan include representatives of the Louisiana Oil Spill Coordinator’s Office. Local leaders represent Orleans, Jefferson, Plaquemines, St. Bernard and St. Tammany parishes.
“They provide initial guidelines and response strategies of government agencies and responders in the event of a spill," Zepeda said. "So it’s going to greatly reduce the time needed to make decisions about how to respond.”
The plan provides first responders with detailed information on the shoreline type likely affected with the best methods and equipment needed to minimize damage.
