AUSTIN, Texas – Gov. Rick Perry has directed all necessary state resources to assist with the cleanup of oil that has spilled into the Houston Ship Channel after a collision between vessels Saturday, according to the governor's office.
The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) is ensuring the coordination of the multiple state resources responding to this incident, and the governor has been briefed by TDEM Chief Nim Kidd on the ongoing cleanup efforts.
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"The State of Texas is deploying all necessary resources to respond to this situation, and will continue to do so to ensure the spill is contained and cleaned up with as little impact as possible to the environment and commerce," Gov. Perry said in a statement. "We are thankful to the responders and personnel who are working diligently to respond to this situation."
The U.S. Coast Guard is the lead agency for maritime incidents such as this, while the Texas General Land Office is the lead state agency for cleanup efforts, the governor's office said.
The Texas General Land Office has deployed several crews to help assist with the cleanup effort, and resources from the Texas Department of Transportation, Texas Department of Public Safety and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department are also assisting in this effort.
The barge has been removed from the water to a ship yard.
The Houston Ship Channel has been closed to most traffic, and the Bolivar Ferry has been suspended until the spill is contained.