Flights to offshore wildlife refuge in La. halted; officials say media frightening birds

[Turborama]

Source: AP

Federal officials have halted flights to the Breton National Wildlife Refuge off the Louisiana coast, saying aircraft hired by news organizations threaten the birds nesting in the barrier islands.

A statement Saturday from the Coast Guard and other officials overseeing the oil spill cleanup said the flights and landings threaten the very birds that the media are covering.


All access to the refuge has been closed as cleanup crews assess the damage from oil leaking from a well in the Gulf of Mexico.

The statement says the birds are leaving nests because of the flights, exposing eggs to predators.

Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=10594765

[northernlights]

1. maybe.

and maybe somebody doesn't want pictures getting out.

Have the flights ever been stopped before? Or were other flights not deemed as frightening?

[HereSince1628]

3. Yah, maybe 'maybe' is the right reaction to this

I could see suggesting helicopers and planes maintain an altitude that limited noise and reduced disruptions, but a closed area seems to also prevent what the young-ones in spin-control now call "bad optics."

[rpannier]

2. Can't figure out why

A large number of planes flying near their nests
A bunch of stupid reporters running around trying to get the 'best' photos they can

I've not been there with the press at this disaster
But I have seen them at other ones and their only concern is getting the best picture, the best story -- everything else be damned

[AlinPA]

7. The media do not care about anything except getting their stories and pictures. Wildlife and

everything be damned. To hell with those assholes from CNN, Fox, MSNBC.

[truthisfreedom]

4. It seems multiple purposes are being served. What a mess.

I'd hate to be a bird down there.

[Celebration]

5. I can see that, actually

Birds REALLY freak out if you get close to their nests.

Here is a red winged blackbird, and I didn't even know where the nest was!!

[northernlights]

6. killing two birds with one stone? (no pun intended)

Yes, "journalists" running around are likely to be disruptive not only to the nesting birds but to rescue and cleaning operations.

On the other hand, maybe "they" just don't want pictures to get out. How better to try to keep us in the dark as long as possible about the devastation that is now underway, courtesy of BP, Bush and now Obama allowing offshore drilling without an honest assessment of the risks involved, close supervision and ensuring that all safety available safety measures are taken and honest upfront preparation to address potential disasters?

I know longer have any trust in this administration. At least the last one I *knew* was stupid, short-sighted and evil.