Salazar, Bromwich Visit Gulf Coast, Encourage Interior Employees in Fight to Protect Communities, Coasts, and Wildlife

NEW ORLEANS, LA – Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Regulation and Enforcement (BOEM) Director Michael R. Bromwich are in Louisiana today receiving updates on oil spill response efforts and visiting Interior employees who are working to protect Gulf Coast communities, coastlines, and wildlife from the BP oil spill.

“I am proud of the tireless efforts of public servants, volunteers, and citizens from across the country who are working tirelessly to protect the communities and natural resources of the Gulf Coast,” said Salazar. “I am particularly proud of the many Interior employees, including scientists, wildlife professionals, engineers, and park rangers who are lending their professionalism and expertise to the effort. I appreciate their service, dedication, and sacrifice on behalf of our nation.”

Secretary Salazar began the day with a visit with Admiral Thad Allen to the Helix Producer, where they received an update on oil and gas containment and collection efforts and observed the drilling of the relief wells.

Secretary Salazar then visited with Interior employees at the Unified Area Command in New Orleans, where he thanked public servants for their dedication and commitment and encouraged them to continue their non-stop efforts to protect the people and natural resources of the Gulf Coast from the impacts of the BP oil spill.

Director Bromwich, who on Tuesday appeared before the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling, today met with employees at the BOEM office in New Orleans. He also participated in a flyover of areas affected by the oil spill.

Approximately 1,100 Interior employees are currently deployed to the Gulf of Mexico to assist with the oil spill response.

Information on the federal response effort is online at www.restorethegulf.gov.

Photos of Secretary Salazar's previous trips to the Gulf of Mexico are available at: http://www.doi.gov/news/photos/.