Oil Watch: Update on Gulf oil spill
Coast Guard, BP employees and trained volunteers have been setting booms along the Louisianna barrier islands hoping to protect sensitive ecology.
Under the leadership of Gov. Charlie Crist, the State Emergency Response Team and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) are actively coordinating and responding to the Deepwater Horizon incident.
The following is a summary of state and BP response actions to date:
Landfall predictions
• On Wednesday, May 19, the U.S. Coast Guard confirmed that tar balls collected from Fort Zachary Taylor State Park in Key West are not related to the Deepwater Horizon incident.
• In 2008 and 2009 there were 667 and 681 reports respectively of oil and petroleum incidents along Florida’s waterways and beaches so these occurrences are not unusual. Specifically in the Florida Keys (Monroe County) there were 53 incidents in 2008 and 72 incidents in 2009 of oil and petroleum products being reported in their coastal waters.
• Deepwater Horizon continues to discharge more than 5,000 barrels (210,000 gallons) per day.
• BP continues to evaluate numerous options to contain the oil discharge and is continuing efforts to drill a relief well.
• Winds/currents continue to keep the plume away from the Florida coast for at least the next 72 hours.
• Florida continues to monitor the location of the loop current and make preparations to safeguard the state’s shoreline.
• Latest observations by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) indicate that a small portion of the oil slick has reached the Loop Current in the form of light to very light sheens. NOAA oceanographers continue to release updated trajectory maps showing the predicted trajectory of the oil slick. Learn more at the NOAA website.
• Impacts to Florida’s coastline could include tar balls, oil sheen or tar mats. Individuals that observe oil on Florida’s coastline should report the incident to the State Warning Point at 1-877-2-SAVE-FL (1-877-272-8335) or by dialing #DEP from most cell phones.
• To download a fact sheet with guidelines on what to look for when reporting impacts to Florida’s shoreline, visit www.deepwaterhorizonflorida.com.
• BP has opened eight claims offices in Florida. For locations and more information, please visit the BP Claims Page on the Deepwater Horizon Response webpage.
State actions
The Clear Harbors boom being unloaded and readied for deployment on Dauphin Island, Alabama. CREDIT: Harrison McClary
• The State Emergency Operations Center remains activated at a Level 2 or Partial activation.
• On May 20, 2010, Gov. Crist issued Executive Order 10-106, declaring a state of emergency in Charlotte, Lee, Collier, Monroe, Dade Broward and Palm Beach counties. This is in addition to the 19 counties previously included in Executive Orders 10-99 and 10-100.
• On May 17, 2010, Gov. Crist announced that BP will provide Florida $25 million for a national tourism advertising campaign. These funds are in addition to the $25 million Florida has already received for preparation efforts.
• On May 14, 2010, Gov. Crist announced that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) approved disaster loan funds for businesses along Florida’s Gulf coast that have been impacted by the Deepwater Horizon incident. Learn more at: http://www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance/.
• On May 12, 2010, Gov. Crist directed DEP to issue an Emergency Final Order to accelerate preparedness and restoration in the counties under the Governor’s state-of-emergency Executive Orders.
• DEP conducted water and sediment sampling to use as a baseline and is monitoring air quality data. Statewide air quality monitoring is conducted in coordination with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Learn more at http://www.airnow.gov/ or http://www.epa.gov/bpspill/.
Air quality reports for Thursday, May 20, revealed that air quality was considered good for ozone throughout the panhandle area. The fine particulate matter (PM) measurements were all also good. “Good” means the air quality is satisfactory and air pollution poses little or no risk.
The Oil Spill Information Line is available at 1-888-337-3569 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week. Additional phone numbers have also been established for persons with disabilities: (800) 955-8771 (TDD) or (800) 955-8770 (voice).
This whole problem will be extremely unforunate for the environmental life and for the global market in a number of altered methods. This issue would have been prevented however these calamities occur. BP should be held accountable for this global spill.
This whole disaster will be very disastrous for the ocean and with the global market in many incomparable points. This problem could have been checked originally however everyone once in a while these calamities happen. These companies should be held responsible for this recent oil spill.
BP lying again. They have zero credibility. Ruin our coast and lie the entire way through it. Oil is great, eh?
This oil spill has gone on long enough, we need some better ideas with it
This entire oil crisis is a nightmare. I wish BP was more thoughtful about the spill.