Latest Escambia Oil Update

May 7, 2010

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Here is the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill update with information specific to Escambia County:

Escambia County Disaster Response 

  • Congressman Miller will be attending the EOC staff briefing Friday, May 7 at 9 a.m. He will also be available for the media following the briefing.
  • We are not anticipating any oil impact over the weekend.
  • We are forecast for favorable weather conditions for oil response preparations.

BP Actions

  • BP Vessel of Opportunity – master vessel charter agreement and vessel requirements checklist online www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com.
  • BP claims categories
  • BP has deployed 118,200 feet of boom have been deployed in the Pensacola Bay area.
  • BP is working on the following programs:
  • Shoreline Assessment and Clean Up Plan
  • Pre Impact Debris Removal Program
  • BP has put up a $25 million Block Grant for the State of Florida.
  • BP Officials want everyone to be aware of scam artists posing as BP contractors. Citizens are discouraged from signing any documents provided to them in return from money form BP or anyone else until they know the extent of their loss.
  • BP officials carry proper identification badges or business cards.
  • BP is handling volunteer registration. Anyone interested in helping, should use the toll free number to register, 1-866-448-5816. They do not use contractors to contact or solicit anyone to volunteer for cleanup, nor will they ever ask for any kind of advance fee from you.
  • Training offered by BP is free. There are no fees for classes or registration. The training is for participation in clean up of hazardous materials that may wash ashore. This training is not for handling oiled wildlife.
  • The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research (Tri-State) who is contracted by British Petroleum to provide assistance to oiled wildlife. The service recognizes Tri-State’s expertise in wildlife oil spill response, and while many wildlife organizations and individuals have expressed interest in providing their assistance, all rehabilitation efforts must be coordinated through the service and Tri-State. Coordination is vitally important for recovery and research efforts, and specific safety and other requirements must be met before anyone will be allowed on-site for any participation . If you already have wildlife training, call BP with 1-866-557-1401.

Federal Actions

  • On May 2, NOAA restricted fishing for a minimum of ten days in federal waters most affected by the BP oil spill, largely between Louisiana state waters at the mouth of the Mississippi River to waters off Florida’s Pensacola Bay. Effective immediately. Details: http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov.

State of Florida

  • The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has temporarily suspended the restriction on use of purse seines landward of the COLRGEGS demarcation line in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties.
  • The Governor’s Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service is encouraging Floridians and visitors to watch for oiled wildlife, vegetation and beaches by becoming a Coast Watch volunteer.
  • Coast Watchers will assist BP, the state of Florida and partnering organizations in identifying beaches that need attention.
  • Coast Watchers will work within the coastal communities where they live or visit and commit to do the following.
  • For information on scheduled beach cleanups and other volunteer opportunities, visit http://www.volunteerfloridadisaster.org/.
  • CFO Sink also noted that in all oil spill circumstances, affected businesses should file a claim with British Petroleum (BP Oil) via the hotline number — (800)-440-0858. Additional guidance to help small businesses survive a disaster can be found at www.MyFloridaCFO.com or by calling (850) 413-3089 or toll-free at 1-877-MY-FL-CFO (1-877-693-5236).
  • The state of Florida reminds its residents and visitors that the state’s coastline has not been impacted at this time and remains open for the public enjoyment.
  • In the last 24 hours, the State Emergency Response Team sent several team members to Mobile to assist with Deepwater Horizon preparation and response.
  • At this time, there are no indications of health risks to Floridians due to the Deepwater Horizon incident. The Department of Health (DOH) and DEP are closely monitoring health and environmental impacts to Florida’s beaches and will notice an advisory if conditions become unsafe.
  • The Attorney General’s office reported instances of fraud from companies claiming to be working with BP to set up training classes and asking people to pay up front. The training classes for oil cleanup being offered through BP are free and available to those that have registered. If you feel that you have been approached fraudulently, please call the Attorney General’s Office fraud hotline at 1-866-966-7226.
  • The state emergency operations center remains at a level 2 activation.

Actions by Escambia County Board of County Commissioners and Staff

  • A Special Board of County Commissioners’ Meeting has been scheduled for 8:30 a.m., May 13. The purpose of the meeting is to allow staff the opportunity, if necessary, to present to the Board, time-sensitive recommendations relative to the Deep Horizon Oil Plume. The meeting will be held in the Escambia County Governmental Complex, Board Chambers, Room 100, 221 Palafox Place.
  • Over the next few days, Escambia County’s contractors will be deploying boom in portions of Stage Two. In addition, BP will be deploying boom in portions of Stage One and Stage Two of the Local Action Plan. As boom is deployed we will continue to post those locations.
  • To keep waterways open as long as possible, boom will be “wet staged” at some locations. When floating petroleum becomes an imminent threat, boom will be fully deployed. “Fully deployed boom” is described as boom anchored into a functional configuration.
  • Coordinating with city officials on additional boom deployment locations.
  • We are evaluating several operational options from contractors for coastal protection and recovery.
  • We are looking at every viable proposal, coordinating with Unified Command and we will share that information as it is approved.
  • BP has assumed deployment of boom to the Pensacola Pass East and West potions of the Escambia County Local Action Plan.
  • County staff will make adjustments to utilize the boom priorities of Stage One and Stage Two sites.
  • For a complete listing of sites see the Local Action Plan beginning on page 4 and the corresponding boom deployment map.
  • BP is working with Escambia County to conduct a test boom deployment from the Local Area Plan.
  • The Celebrate Escambia Waterways Beach Fun and Safety event for Saturday, May 8 has been postponed until further notice.
  • All along our Gulf front shoreline beaches are small, basically clear and somewhat “pointy” plankton. The Pteropod, also known as the sea butterfly, is a larval snail that is naturally occurring. These plankton blew in with the Portuguese Man-O-War and By the Wind Sailors. Although they are fairly sharp and may stick your fingers and hands when picked up or your foot when you step on them, they do not pose a threat to people. They are not washing ashore due to anything oil related.
  • The Local Area Plan has been approved by Secretary Sole for funding. (Plan)
  • Deployment locations have been approved by Unified Command.
  • Residents and business owners with any water access on their property should have pre-assessments prepared now (photos, video, anything documenting the current condition of your property).
  • The brown foam seen on the beaches recently is not associated with the oil spill. This is a common natural occurrence especially in the spring when fish are spawning and there are hard winds, rain, and wave action.
  • Escambia County, Florida beaches remain open at this time.
  • Officials continue to monitor coastlines.
  • SRIA lifeguards continue a 24/7 watch for oil approaching the shoreline.
  • The EOC remains at level 2 activation. This is a minimal activation with only specifically involved agencies activating at this time.
  • Meetings of all essential local emergency support agencies are being held daily.
  • Pre-qualified contractors and consultants are coordinating with county staff on the disaster response.
  • Environmental staff is continuing assessments of pre-oil spill conditions and performing aerial assessment.
  • Environmental staff are confirming pre-assessments on air and water quality, and identifying any gaps.
  • County officials continue working through state and federal channels to establish a process for resources and equipment.
  • Emergency Management officials continue to communicate with the State of Florida liaison at unified command.
  • County staff is continuing to coordinate with the Santa Rosa Island Authority on equipment necessary for the response effort

Local Beaches

  • Remain open, water is clear and air quality is good.

City of Pensacola

  • Coordinating with county officials.

Volunteer Opportunities & Training

  • Very few spots are left for volunteer training on May 7. Call 850-471-6600 for information.
  • This is for the health and safety training for handling petroleum contaminated materials. This is not training for handling oiled wildlife.

Safety Messages

  • Contrary to information circulating the internet: all along our Gulf front shoreline beaches are small, basically clear and somewhat “pointy” plankton. The pteropod, also known as the sea butterfly, is a larval snail that is naturally occurring. These plankton blew in with the Portuguese Man-O-War and By the Wind Sailors. Although they are fairly sharp and may stick your fingers and hands when picked up or your foot when you step on them, they do not pose a threat to people. They are not washing ashore due to anything oil related.


Wildlife

  • Do not attempt to rescue oiled or injured birds or wildlife. Doing so can cause additional injuries.
    If oiled, injured or dead wildlife are found, call the Oiled Wildlife hotline at 866-557-1401, please provide location of where the wildlife was sighted.
    May is the hatching season for many birds and reptiles. Please use the toll free number above.

Boats

  • Boats should keep a safe distance from any of the booms. Do not drive boats over any booms.
    Boat owners are urged to dry-dock boats.

Beaches and Waterways

  • Residents should NOT to place any materials on the beach, such as pine straw.
  • Citizens should take precautions around waterways to avoid contact with oil substances.
  • Officials are closely monitoring potential public health and environmental concerns.

Personal Safety (if areas are affected by oil)

  • Avoid entering areas where oil can be seen or smelled. If you see or smell oil, leave the area immediately.
  • Avoid direct skin contact with oil, oil-contaminated water and sediments.
  • Do not swim or ski in areas affected by the oil spill, and if you travel through the area by boat, take precautions when hoisting the boat anchor. If you get oil on your skin, wash it off immediately with soap and water.
  • Do not fish in the oil spill-affected waters.
  • Do not harvest and eat dead fish, fish with oily residue or fish that have a petroleum odor.
  • Do not drive your boat through slicks or sheens.
  • Young children, pregnant women, people with compromised immune systems, and individuals with underlying respiratory conditions should avoid the area.
  • Restrict pets from entering oil-contaminated areas.
  • Those near Florida’s Gulf Coast may detect an odor because of the oil spill. Some people are more sensitive to these odors and may experience nasal irritation and feelings of nausea. In combination with seasonal allergies, such as sensitivity to pollen or pre-existing respiratory conditions such as asthma, some people may experience more severe symptoms.
  • Individuals experiencing symptoms that are aggravated by the odors from the oil spill should consider: staying indoors, in air conditioning, and avoiding strenuous outdoor activity. If symptoms do not improve, contact a primary care physician or other health care provider for medical advice.
  • Individuals who have pre-existing medical conditions, such as asthma or other respiratory illness should contact their health care provider if feeling symptomatic.
  • Report oiled shorelines to 866-448-5816. Report oiled wildlife to 866-557-1401.

Businesses Information

  • Take detailed records of canceled reservations. It is important that when these cancellations occur, the canceling party is questioned whether the cause is because of the oil spill. If the answer is yes, keep a record of the person’s name and contact information, and also the revenues lost as a result of the cancellation.
  • Calculate estimated losses for a six-week period and be able to provide records, sales receipts and documentation to support such a claim. A good idea would be to compare business now to a five-year average of revenues between May and June, which can offer insight as to the damages incurred.
  • Make a detailed list of assets, including non-structural, and include appropriate records to support the list. For example: if your hotel or restaurant is within walking distance to the beach and that beach has oil reach its shores, the business’s assets could be damaged even though there is no physical damage to the structure and it is important to record this depreciation.
  • The Vessels of Opportunities Program is looking to contract shrimp boats, oyster boats and other vessels for hire to deploy boom in the Gulf of Mexico. Call 281-366-5511.
  • BP has established a claim system and toll free number, 800-440-0858. This system will allow people to being to process to recover lost income or recoup damage related expenses.
  • If you are not satisfied with BP’s resolution, there is an additional avenue for assistance available through the Coast Guard once BP has finalized your claim. Those who have already pursued the BP claims process can call the Coast Guard at 1-800-280-7118.
  • More information about what types of damages are eligible for compensation under the Oil Pollution Act as well as guidance on procedures to seek that compensation can be found at www.uscg.mil/npfc.
  • To register as a consultant, contractor, vendor or submit information on alternative response technology, services products or suggestions, call BP at 281-366-5511.
  • Businesses, including hoteliers, sport fishing charters, watersports rental companies, etc., that may be negatively impacted are asked to keep detailed profit and loss records and track any cancellations, should a claim need to be presented.

Citizen Information

The Citizen Information Center phone is open for questions from residents, 850-471-6600.

Contact Numbers

  • Volunteer hotline: 1-866-448-5816
  • Transocean hotline: 832-587-8554
  • MI Swaco hotline: 888-318-6765
  • BP Investor Relations: 381-366-3123
  • BP family hotline: 281-366-5578
  • BP third party contractor hotline: 281-366-5578

Comments

One Response to “Latest Escambia Oil Update”

  1. anydaynow on May 7th, 2010 12:43 pm

    Yeah, ole Miller has been on the campaign trail for 2-3 weeks now. That’s the only time we see hide or hair of him. Wonder if he will be appearing before the EOC staff to voice his continued support for Gulf drilling.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under Archive