US | Louisiana Gulf Oil Spill Reaches Land Spill could become worst US environmental disaster in decades By Rob Quinn Posted Apr 29, 2010 11:52 PM CDT Copied A shrimp boat, bottom, heads up the Mississippi River from the Gulf of Mexico in Port Eads, Louisiana. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) Crews scrambled to protect wetlands and fishermen rushed to scoop up shrimp as oil began to wash ashore on the Gulf Coast last night. Officials warn that the spill from a BP rig—which is five times bigger than had been believed—could be America's worst environmental disaster in decades. Sensitive wildlife habitat and rich fishing grounds stand to be devastated. "It is of grave concern," an official at the NOAA told the AP. "I am frightened. This is a very, very big thing. And the efforts that are going to be required to do anything about it, especially if it continues on, are just mind-boggling." Louisiana has declared a state of emergency and has requested 6,000 National Guard troops to help protect its coastline. Read These Next Trumps ends trade talks with Canada. Actor Sam Rockwell gets residuals from movie he wasn't in. The Bezos-Sanchez wedding: guest list, cost, the dress, and more. Gavin Newsom has filed a massive lawsuit against Fox News. Report an error