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BP claims recovery's on the way. Hard evidence proves otherwise. A new ISS report's titled, "Troubled Waters: Two Years After the BP Oil Disaster, a Struggling Gulf Coast Calls for National Leadership for Recovery," saying:
Area residents report oil still washing up on Gulf shores. Without help, affected people and communities face challenges likely too great to overcome.
Gulfport, MS community leader Derrick Evans addressed BP's April 2012 shareholders meeting. "The oil is not gone," he said. "The general perception is that BP made a mess and BP did a big cleanup and everything is all fine. Nothing could be further from the truth."
Two years later, the reality facing Gulf residents is sobering and disturbing. Their struggle to overcome what BP wrought continues. Economic hardships persist. So do serious health problems.
Some communities lost their way of life entirely. Others face uncertain futures. Many residents are sick and depressed. They've gotten precious little help. ISS produced its report cooperatively with Bridge the Gulf Project and the Gulf Coast Fund. They focused on three areas in particularly hard hit communities:
(1) Making a living
Thousands of fishing boats were idled. Many over-indebted fishermen shut down entirely. Local groups try helping best they can. They need federal and BP help not forthcoming.
(2) Restoring the coast
Every hour, Louisiana "loses a football-field sized chunk of coast land" from erosion and "energy industry activity." Residents need federal help restoring their fragile coastline.
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