DHH Reopens Oyster Harvest Area 7
Tests Show Water is Safe

Friday, June 3, 2011  |  Contact: Lisa R. Faust; (225) 342-7913 or (225) 252-3579 (cell)

BATON ROUGE - The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals announced today the reopening of oyster harvesting Area 7. The decision came after two consecutive lab tests show that the water in Area 7 is safe.  

Oyster harvest Area 7 is on the east side of the Mississippi River, in Plaquemines Parish. DHH closed Area 7 May 14, 2011 as a precautionary measure, due to the potential of freshwater intrusion from the abnormally high Mississippi River.  

DHH Secretary Bruce D. Greenstein and State Health Officer Dr. Jimmy Guidry signed the order today to reopen Area 7, which will take effect a half an hour before sunrise June 4. The oyster season on public seed grounds remains closed.  

Oyster harvesting Area 1, which was also closed as a precautionary measure due to freshwater intrusion, remains closed. 

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals strives to protect and promote health statewide and to ensure access to medical, preventive and rehabilitative services for all state citiznes. To learn more about DHH, visit http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov. For up-to-date health information, news and emergency updates, follow DHH's blog, Twitter account and Facebook.

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