Totally selfish, inane question regarding the Gulf of Mexico [View All]

[Democrat 4 Ever]

I really hate to be so self-serving but I have a question. My girls, grandkids and I have a vacation scheduled for October in the panhandle of Florida. We have had this week scheduled for over six months. We know that the area we are going (St. George's Island - approx 250-300 miles east of NO as the crow flies) did not suffer significant damage from Katrina but are wondering about the water quality of the Gulf in the area.

We have been going to the area for several years during the kids' fall break from school and was really looking forward to this year's trip. (Excellent time, no crowds, warm water, beautiful beaches.) One of the kids called me last night to ask if I knew where they were pumping the water out of NO and would the water be safe for us to swim in. I told them I didn't have a clue but someone at DU would know.

I did hear that much of the water was being pumped into Lake Pontchartrain and the sludge, etc. was so bad that there was the possibility that much of the fish and plant life in the lake would die because of the organisms depleting the oxygen, etc. I didn't hear if they were pumping directly into the Gulf.

I know on the huge scheme of human tragedy in this horrible time one family getting their vacation is way down on the list of things to worry about. But does anyone know if there are any concerning about the Gulf and what is being pumped into the water and should we be concerned?