Media Matters: Media falsely suggest gov't is ignoring Louisiana barrier plan

Media falsely suggest gov't is ignoring Louisiana barrier plan

In claiming that the Gulf oil spill is "Obama's Katrina," media figures and outlets have falsely suggested that the federal government has been unresponsive to Louisiana's request for a permit to create sand barriers -- or "berms" -- around the coast. But, as required by law, the Army Corps of Engineers has been studying the plan's impacts and reportedly responded with concerns that it could push oil into Mississippi; and, numerous experts have questioned whether the plan would even be effective.

Media falsely suggest gov't is unresponsive to LA barrier plan

Rove falsely claimed LA officials have "yet to hear back" about barrier permit. In his May 27 Wall Street Journal column, Karl Rove said the Obama administration has "delayed or blown off key decisions requested by state and local governments" and falsely claimed Louisiana has "yet to hear back" from the Army Corps about its plan to create barriers. Later in the column, Rove wrote: "Could this be Mr. Obama's Katrina? It could be even worse." From the column:


more

For Immediate Release April 22, 2010

Statement by the Press Secretary on the President's Oval Office Meeting to Discuss the Situation in the Gulf of Mexico

The President and First Lady's thoughts and prayers are with the family members and loved ones facing the tragic situation in the Gulf of Mexico. The President was briefed in the Oval Office this afternoon by a number of senior officials including Department of Homeland Secretary Janet Napolitano, Admiral Thad Allen, United States Coast Guard Commandant, Department of Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, EPA Deputy Administrator Bob Perciasepe, FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate as well as a host of senior white house officials including Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change Carol Browner, Chair of Council on Environmental Quality Nancy Sutley and Director of the National Economic Council Lawrence Summers.

The United States Coast Guard informed the President that search and rescue efforts are ongoing. The President made sure that the entire federal government was offering all assistance needed in the rescue effort as well as in mitigating and responding to the environmental impact and that this response was being treated as the number one priority. The President asked the responding departments to devote every resource needed to respond to this incident and investigate its cause.

The National Response Team has been activated and Unified and Area Commands have been established near New Orleans to coordinate search and rescue operations and oil spill response efforts.

The Department of the Interior and the Minerals Management Service as well as the Coast Guard are also working with responsible parties to support their important efforts to secure the pollution sources. Deputy Secretary of the Interior David Hayes was dispatched to the region yesterday to assist with coordination and response. The President wishes to thank the bravery of the professionals across the government who have worked non-stop over the last two days to save lives and protect the environment.