By Eileen Fleming
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wwno/local-wwno-958971.mp3
New Orleans, La. – The Coast Guard says one-quarter to one-half mile of coastline is soiled in a 30-mile zone. A spokesman says samples have been taken to determine if it's from the Deepwater Horizon spill. The Coast Guard tested samples over the weekend taken offshore and found trace amounts of oil. The Coast Guard says the substance could be sediment stirred up by Mississippi River dredging and high water levels. Coastline is now affected in Grand Isle, Port Fourchon and Elmer Island. It has no estimate on when test results will be available on samples taken from the beaches. Meantime, the Interior Department says it's now issued four deepwater drilling permits since the moratorium issued after the BP spill was lifted last year.
For WWNO, I'm Eileen Fleming