I guess 20 more of these threads and everyone here will be able to pass the first basic pilots course

If so, I haven't seen it.

And are you a pilot? Have you ever seen a NOTAM like this?

http://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_3_8699.html

Just a programmer who has worked on FAA systems that deal with TFRs and SUAs. This is SOP for this kind of issue. This was certainly not done to protect any oil company nor was it done to hinder the press who can file an IFR flight plan and get permission to fly under the 1000' ceiling if they can demonstrate that it is needed to get information they can't get from 1000'.

The FAA issues TFRs like this for all kinds of things including large sports events, fires, natural disasters, VIP traffic, etc.

For an event like this you'll have all sorts of media helicopters and other associated sight seeing flights trying to fly over. The FAA issues TFRs to keep the people who aren't trying to fix the problem out. It makes it safer for everyone involved.

That area is rural, so the normal limit is 500ft AGL

There is no issue for overflight for photography...1000ft is easy

Exxon did not want a lot of media coverage.

It went from what to what and when did that happen?

Normally the replace it if there was a change and the current one indicates it is an original

Documentation is nothing but a guideline or regulation not a law. Watch Chris Hayes rerun or contact the FAA and ask.

I did not find it on the reruns. Given how poorly non-aviators do with things aviation, my guess is that Chris Hayes got it wrong.

You can get cleared through it if need be (working on the spill) but other than that, there is no need to do that.

That is the section under which the flight restrictions were imposed. On its face, subsection 91.137(d)(4) provides that restrictions imposed under this section do not apply where "The aircraft is carrying properly accredited news representatives and, prior to entering that area, a flight plan is filed with the appropriate FSS or ATC facility specified in the NOTAM."

http://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/14/91.137

The TFR itself says:

Operating Restrictions and Requirements
No pilots may operate an aircraft in the areas covered by this NOTAM (except as described).

But your citation is quite correct, though the detail in section c5 tends to look like the head bubba on the ground would block the approval.

As a practical matter, this is a good call by the FAA. It provides a safety zone but no effective limitations that would impact the media.

If a TFR has been issued, you aren't going to get into that area without approval from the coordinating entity. It doesn't matter what you're doing. The FAA or the approving authority may give more leeway to aircraft with news people on board, but they are still going to be separated from responding aircraft. With only a 1,000' of vertical space in this instance, the chances of a news helicopter being allowed in when responding aircraft are in the area is pretty much nill.

It is bitumen when raw. Basically = Tar.

Tar doesn't flow. So they mix it with water and who knows what else to get it to flow in a pipe. When you have something that is mixed with water it then mixes really easy with more water. Regular oil floats and mostly stays by itself. Not this stuff, it mixes readily in lakes and ponds and drainage ditches. They will never get is all up. Mayflower will be forever polluted.