Gulf of Mexico oil spill response by Adm. Thad Allen is inadequate, Plaquemines president says

[n2doc]

Published: Wednesday, June 16, 2010, 10:31 PM Updated: Wednesday, June 16, 2010, 10:42 PM

Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen, the federal point man in the response to the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, should be replaced, the leader of one of Louisiana's most oil-impacted parishes said Wednesday.

"He's not the right man for the job," said Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser. "If the president of the United States does not make some drastic changes it's going to give him a bad rap that he doesn't deserve."

A message seeking comment from the Coast Guard spill command center was not immediately returned.

Nungesser's comments came Wednesday after workers under his direction resorted to sucking up oil from delicate marshes with ordinary shop vacuums.

He was furious after he said the Coast Guard shut down oil-vacuum barges while paperwork was being processed.

"Not only is the leadership not there, they're standing in our way. They're crippling us," Nungesser said.

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