La. officials say they’re still waiting for enough boom to contain Gulf oil spill

La. officials still waiting for oil spill boom

GRAND ISLE, La. — Coastal officials in Louisiana say they’re waiting for enough boom to corral oil from the Gulf spill.

Jefferson Parish spokesman Deano Bonano said Thursday that Grand Isle needs at least 50,000 more feet of oil-containing boom to protect its shores. He says supply has been a problem since parish officials requested boom and skimmers from BP and the Coast Guard.

BP PLC was the operator of the oil rig that exploded and sank April 20, killing 11 workers and spilling thousands of gallons of oil in the Gulf of Mexico.

Bonano says the parish may have to hire companies that have boom available and deploy it themselves. He says officials are prepared to sign contracts for as much as $300,000 a day — but they will send BP the bill.