BP oil spill: A subdued Fourth of July on Louisiana's Grand Isle

Last July, the state park had 10,000 visitors. On a recent weekend, only two of its 50 camping spots were occupied by vacationers, though perhaps 1,000 BP contractors speed through the gate every day on their way to clean up tar balls and oil. The park’s beautiful Gulf-fed salt water lagoon, home to dozens of shorebirds, was recently closed to the public after oil seeped in with the tide.

Sue Galliano, a long time Grand Isle resident who owns rental properties and runs an electrical contracting company with her husband, was recently part of a group of congregants from four churches that held a sunset prayer vigil for the Gulf’s wildlife and the island’s future.

It’s like watching a sick friend get worse, she says. “You know there’s a treatment out there that could help but you can’t get it.” Ms. Galliano’s daughter, who lives in New Orleans and has twin girls who are four months old, canceled plans to spend this summer on the island out of worry about toxic fumes from the spill.

While 2010 has brought perhaps the bleakest summer in the island’s long history, Grand Isle residents and visitors who love it are planning for the island’s future.

An aid concert scheduled

The Grand Isle Tarpon Fishing Rodeo, which normally brings 20,000 participants for a weekend in July, has been canceled for the first time. In its place, an Island Aid Concert has been scheduled for July 24. Proceeds will go to the Grand Isle Alive Promotion Fund, which will aid recreational fishing and tourism.

Five prominent chefs of national renown, led by Tom Colicchio of cable TV’s “Top Chef,” paid a visit to Grand Isle to support the Gulf region’s seafood.

“You have my pledge that I will have Gulf seafood at all of my restaurants,” Mr. Colicchio told a crowd gathered at a food tasting at the Sound Side Marina. Proceeds raised by the event benefited Friends of the Fishermen Fund, a recently created charity supporting the state’s fishing and seafood industries.

“No one knows what will happen in the next year,” said Galliano, who says she often smells the oil slicks when the wind is right. “Friends from all over are e-mailing me constantly saying they want to come volunteer and help with the cleanup, but there’s no way you can help with that. We’re fortunate to have so many people who are reaching out in other ways.”

IN PICTURES: The Gulf oil spill's impact on nature

Related:

Gulf oil spill: The story so far

How BP wants to start over in bid to contain Gulf oil spill

Gulf oil spill: Will it hit Miami, Fort Lauderdale soon?

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