Rose of Sharon Jewelry

Tar balls were blown into Lake Pontchartrain last weekend by Hurricane Alex. New Orleans is again under an environmental assault. A glistening sheen of oil caused several Eastern sections to be closed.

Over 1,700 pounds of oily waste was skimmed from the 600-square-mile lake. CNN reporter shows the oil balls.

The greater New Orleans area has long been a fragile eco-system and is still recovering from Hurricane Katrina. But it’s more than wildlife and waterways that are endangered – it is a way of life for locals.

Millions of area residents have lives directly connected to the environmental health of the region. This is a deep wound which makes me deeply saddened. No check from BP or government agency can repair this gut-wrenching damage.

Most of us witnessed the human suffering created by Katrina and watched our government fail the people and many still suffer from its aftermath. We must not abandon these people – they are our brothers and we have been pretty poor keepers.

Please write your congressperson and demand that our federal agencies make New Orleans a priority.