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[bacasper]

"So what? We have oil spills all the time. It ain't no big deal."

This one may have already reached a million gallons.

As the Gulf oil spill threat diminishes a new oil spill threat emerges in Michigan

July 29, 10:09 AM

The Gulf oil spill may be permanently sealed this weekend, and signs of that spill on the surface are quickly diminishing. However, just as the Gulf oil spill starts to go "out-of-sight," an oil spill in Michigan has emerged as a new threat.

Yesterday Admiral Thad Allen stated that BP may begin the "static kill" on the Gulf oil leak Sunday. BP has also begun preparations to finish casing the relief well which could allow them to seal the broken well from the bottom next week. At that point, the leak will be permanently sealed and the Gulf Coast can begin to focus more on the oil already in the waters. While the amount of oil seen on the surface has decreased dramatically, officials are still concerned about the oil hidden underneath. It will also take a significant amount of time to collect and decontaminate all the boom laid out along the Gulf Coast. Most significantly, the Gulf Coast will begin on the long road of recovery from the economic and environmental damage done by the spill.

While the Gulf oil disaster now seems to be phasing out of crisis mode, the Michigan oil spill is still a very real threat. That oil spill began when a 30-inch pipe ruptured near the Kalamazoo River in Michigan. Officials estimate that 800,000 gallons of oil escaped before the pipeline was shut off. The oil has decimated the river and already had a significant impact on the wildlife in the area. Governor Granholm (D-Mich.) has urged the owner of the pipeline to devote more resources to containing the spill, as it now threatens to enter Lake Michigan through the river. If the oil spill spread to the lake its impact on the environment and economy of the area could increase dramatically.

rare Gulf oil spill photos at link