By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – Exactly three weeks ago yesterday, an explosion rocked the British Petroleum-owned Deepwater Horizon oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico, killing 11 workers and injuring 17 others.

After crews fought for more than a day to extinguish a fire on the rig, the rig collapsed and sank to the bottom of the gulf causing millions of gallons of crude oil to leak into the water.

Since the explosion and subsequent oil leak, federal, state and local leaders, along with representatives from BP, have taken steps to minimize the potential damage to ecosystems and wildlife situated along Louisiana’s coastline, but have those efforts been enough?

Last week, L’Observateur asked its readers their thoughts on the response and cleanup efforts so far. The results show that most of our readers believe the response has been inadequate and that one or all levels of government have failed to respond effectively.

Some also think that BP, the company that owns the rig, is not doing enough to rectify the situation, while others say they are thankful for the efforts of local fishermen to combat the problem.

Nearly 30 percent of respondents said they feel the response is too little too late and that the damage has been done, while 21 percent said local and state leaders have come to bat, but the federal response is striking out. Another 21 percent said they are thankful for the efforts of local fishermen, who are making up for the lack of government help.

Nineteen percent of respondents said BP should be more involved in the cleanup. Only 4 percent said they believe all response to the spill has been adequate.