US let BP drill in Gulf without permits

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US let BP drill in Gulf without permits
Fri, 14 May 2010 20:04:41 GMT
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A dead bird is seen on the beach as concern continues that the massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is on course to become the worst in US history.
New information on the recent oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has come to light indicating that the US government allowed BP to drill in the area without proper permits.

Federal records show that the Minerals Management Service (MMS) gave BP the green light for drilling, in violation of the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

According to the Center for Biological Diversity, which filed a complaint Friday to sue the MMS over its non-compliance with the laws, the Department of the Interior also has approved over 300 drilling operations, three large lease sales, and over 100 seismic surveys without the required permits.

In addition, scientists and environmental groups are raising sharp questions about the official estimates of the amount of oil pouring into the Gulf of Mexico.

The criticism escalated on Thursday, a day after the release of a video that showed a huge black plume of oil gushing from the broken well at a seemingly high rate.

Ian R. MacDonald, an oceanographer at Florida State University who is an expert in the analysis of oil slicks, said he had made his own rough calculations using satellite imagery.

They suggested that the leak could “easily be four or five times” the government estimate, he said.

The growing oil slick is threatening to become an environmental and economic catastrophe.

SG/HGL