The Times-Picayune
Published: Tuesday, June 29, 2010, 3:07 PM Two animal conservation groups on Tuesday said they will sue BP and the U.S. Coast Guard to stop what they say are the deaths of turtles that are trapped in the controlled burns of oil in the Gulf of Mexico. The Center for Biological Diversity and Turtle Island Restoration Network notified BP and the Coast Guard that they will file a lawsuit. The 60-day notice letter is a first step to possibly filing a lawsuit under the Endangered Species Act, the groups said in a news release today. The groups said there have been reports of sea turtles, including Kemp’s ridley turtles, being caught in areas where the oil from the BP oil spill is being burned. Authorities have had a number of controlled burns to dispose of the oil floating atop the water. “BP is burning turtles alive and it is cruel, heartless and a crime we can’t and won’t allow to continue,” said Todd Steiner, biologist and executive director of Turtle Island Restoration Network. “Sea turtles were critically endangered before BP created America’s worst environmental catastrophe, and every effort possible must be taken to rescue endangered turtles from this oil spill. BP needs to reverse course and help double our efforts to rescue sea turtles, not prevent their recovery.” Robert Wine, a BP press officer, said the company is always on the lookout for turtles and other wildlife before the controlled burns begin. “Unified Command is expanding turtle monitoring capability for both in-situ burning and skimming. In addition a biologist will be on board one of the skimmers to also evaluate any risks to turtles,” Wine wrote in an email. He added, “The idea of animals being burned alive is appalling to us.” The Department of Justice said it had no comment. …
Animal conservation groups say they will sue BP, federal agencies over turtles allegedly caught in oil spill burns
