A CRJ-200's left engine began leaking oil at FL300. The engine was shut down; an emergency declared and the flight diverted to the nearest suitable airport.

Narrative

FL300 mach .70. Left engine oil pressure message and associated aural warnings occurred. I was the pilot flying. The pilot monitoring; the Captain; began performing the QRH for the associated message which directed an intentional engine shutdown. Power was reduced on the affected engine; initially as a precaution; oil pressure was noted between 15-22psi. We notified ATC declared an emergency and choose our diversion airport as we were less than 40 miles east of it. ATC cleared us to 15;000 and handed us off to Approach who gave us one turn to the left to allow for our descent. We requested Runway 27R the longest runway; which we were given. The entire procedure from the low oil pressure indication to landing was approximately 15 minutes. After landing my post flight inspection revealed at least 1 quart of oil on the ground under the left engine as well as on the cowl and jet pipe continually dripping. We notified Dispatch and Operations of the oil on the ramp. I spoke with Maintenance Control and gave them a detail description of the events that happened in the air and the results of the post flight inspection. I also was directed by the Captain to enter the discrepancy in the maintenance logbook; which I did. This is a mechanical issue that occurred under normal operations. The only two causes are normal failures or improper mechanical care. I understand this same aircraft had another QRH directed engine shutdown on Sunday morning less than 24hrs after this incident.