Lincoln Chafee: “last Friday, January 19, the barge North Cape ran aground on a sandbar off the coast of my home State of Rhode Island.…”

“last Friday, January 19, the barge North Cape ran aground on a sandbar off the coast of my home State of Rhode Island. It is estimated that more than 800,000 gallons of No. 2 diesel heating oil aboard the barge spilled into Block Island Sound, making this the worst oilspill in Rhode Island's history. Alarmingly, the North Cape is grounded 100 yards offshore of the Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge, an area set aside as an inviolate sanctuary for migratory birds. So far, oil has penetrated salt ponds in the refuge, and along the southern coast, including Point Judith Pond, an important spawning area for winter flounder. The spill's effect may continue to have adverse impacts on fish and wildlife now that oil has entered the natural food chain in the area. The cost to my State's environment and economy will be steep. Already, more than 11,000 lobsters have been killed by the spilled oil. Their carcasses, and those of clams, starfish, and other sea creatures, litter southern Rhode Island beaches. The Fish and Wildlife Service has collected over 300 oil-logged birds, of which more than 100 are dead, and 1 dead seal. Sadly, volunteers keep bringing in more casualties. Because Rhode Island relies heavily on its coastal resources, the financial toll of the spill is heavy. Governor Almond has declared a state of emergency and has requested Federal disaster relief.”