FLORIDA DEEPWATER HORIZON RESPONSE JUNE 7, 2010

Under the leadership of Governor Charlie Crist, the State Emergency Response Team and the Florida 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, as well as tips for residents and visitors to take precautions both pre and post-landfall.



Landfall Reports and Predictions:

· June 6, dime to silver dollar-sized tar balls and tar patties continue to be found in widely scattered areas from the Alabama state line east to Laguna Beach in Bay County. Clean up teams have been dispatched.

· According to NOAA projections, additional impacts are expected throughout northwest Florida within the next 72 hours due to onshore winds.

· Multiple skimmers have been dispatched to collect tar mats and sheen.

· Potential impacts to Florida’s shoreline will likely be highly weathered, in the form of tar balls, oil sheen, tar mats or mousse – a pudding-like oil/water mixture that could be brown, rust or orange in color.

· Observations by NOAA continue to indicate that a small portion of the oil slick, in the form of light sheens, has reached the Loop Current Ring, a circular current which was formerly part of the Loop Current but has pinched off at the Florida Straits.

· Florida continues to monitor the location of the Loop Current Ring for potential reattachment to the Florida straits.

o There have been no reports of Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill-related oil products reaching the shore beyond the Panhandle region. There is no indication that the rest of the state will have impacts from weathered oil products within the next 72 hours.

· Learn more at the NOAA website. If oil is sighted on Florida’s coastline report it to the State Warning Point at 1-877-2-SAVE-FL (1-877-272-8335) or by dialing #DEP from most cell phones.



On Site Actions:

· Current projections estimate Deepwater Horizon’s discharge at 12,000 to 19,000 barrels per day. Learn more.

· BP has placed Lower Marine Riser Package (LMRP) Cap Containment System in an attempt to contain the leak and capture a substantial amount of the leaking oil. BP has begun pumping gas and oil to the surface. There is hope that a significant portion of the flow will be captured, but this is only a temporary and partial fix. Learn more.

· Meanwhile, BP is continuing efforts to drill relief wells.

· To discuss spill related damage with BP representatives, please call the BP Claims Reporting Line at 1-800-440-0858



State Actions:

· The State Emergency Operations Center is activated at Level 1.

· June 5, DEP began operating a mobile command post at Henderson Beach State Park in Destin for reconnaissance missions. A team of staff on 25 all-terrain vehicles will monitor the coastline from Escambia County east to Gulf County for potential impacts. Each all-terrain vehicle will monitor five miles of shoreline.

· June 4, Governor Charlie Crist announced that his request for a Fishery Failure Determination for Florida has been granted by the United States Department of Commerce. Impacted fisherman and affected businesses can now qualify for economic injury loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration.

· BP has opened claims offices in Florida. Visit the BP Claims Page to learn more.

· On June 3, Governor Crist sent a letter to Mr. Lamar McKay, President, BP America requesting BP to commit $100 million to enhance monitoring, evaluating and responding to the constantly changing conditions related to the Deepwater Horizon incident.

· Governor Charlie Crist has issued three Executive Orders since April 30, 2010 declaring a state of emergency in 26 coastal counties that may see impacts.

· DEP issued an Emergency Final Order to accelerate preparedness and restoration in the counties under the Governor’s state-of-emergency Executive Orders.

· On May 18, 2010 the Small Business Administration (SBA) opened eight offices and a mobile unit in the Panhandle. To date, these offices have issued a total of 190 applications. Find an office here.

· 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/.

o Air quality reports for June 6 revealed that air quality was considered good for ozone and particulate matter in the Panhandle. “Good” means the air quality is satisfactory and air pollution poses little or no risk.



Boom Placement:

· Approximately 261,750 feet of boom has been placed in Florida along the most sensitive areas of the Panhandle and 9,200 feet is staged. Additionally, counties in the region are moving forward with supplemental booming plans.

· Placement of boom is based on where the oil is threatening, as well as each region’s area contingency plan.

· The Unified Command Operations Group is asking boaters to avoid damaging boom. Boom cut or broken due to boater traffic jeopardizes coastal protection.

· Stolen or misplaced boom should be reported to local authorities.



Health Effects:

· At this time, there are no indications of any health risks due to the Deepwater Horizon incident. The Florida Department of Health and DEP are closely monitoring health and environmental impacts to Florida and county health departments will issue an advisory if conditions become unsafe.

· If residents or visitors see tar or oiled debris on the beach, DO NOT PICK IT UP. Report it to the Florida State Warning Point Line at 1-877-272-8335. For most people, an occasional brief contact with a small amount of oil will do no harm, yet still it is not recommended. Learn more.

· In addition, volunteers helping with response efforts are not to engage in direct contact with oil and oil contaminated products such as tar balls, tar patty, tar mats, and oil sheen.

· Only qualified community responders should handle oil products and oil-contaminated materials.

· For general health information questions regarding the oil-spill and exposure to oil spill products contact the Florida Poison Information Centers at 1-800-222-1222.



Fisheries & Seafood:

· June 5, NOAA adjusted the boundaries of the closed fishing area, adding 565 square miles at the northeast edge. On June 4, NOAA revised the fishery closure zone to open the Florida Keys and the Dry Tortugas to commercial and recreational fishing. All commercial and recreational fishing including catch and release is prohibited in the closed area in the federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Closing fishing in these areas is a precautionary measure to ensure that seafood from the Gulf will remain safe for consumers. Learn more.

· At this time, Florida’s state waters remain open to recreational fishing.

· Fishermen who wish to contact BP about a claim should call 1-800-440-0858.

· To report oiled wildlife, please call 1-866-557-1401 and leave a message. Messages will be checked hourly.

· For the safety of the public as well as the safety of animals, rescues should be conducted by trained responders. Learn more.



Tourism:

· Through www.VISITFLORIDA.com, vacationers are able to view live Twitter feeds and read up-to-the-minute information on the status of any city or region in Florida. Learn more at http://www.visitflorida.com/florida_travel_advisory/.

· The Florida State Parks website, http://www.floridastateparks.org, is updated daily and will list any impacts. Learn more by calling 1-850-245-2157.



Tips for Homeowners:

· While the state appreciates the concern expressed by Floridians and the ingenuity of those seeking alternative measures to help protect the state’s shoreline, the following tips are offered to ensure that these measures are helpful and not harmful to Florida’s coasts, wildlife and water resources: Tips for homeowners.



Tips for Businesses and Consumers:

· The Attorney General’s fraud hotline is open to receive any reports of fraud or price gouging. The hotline is 1-866-966-7226.

· The Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner gas price-gouging hotline is also operational. The toll-free hotline number is 1-800-HELP-FLA (1-800-435-7352).

· Coastal businesses should make loss of earnings claims for damages incurred as a result of the oil spill. Businesses should file a claim with BP by calling 1-800-440-0858. Learn more at http://www.myfloridacfo.com/ or by calling 1-850-413-3089 or toll-free at 1-877-MY-FL-CFO (1-877-693-5236).



Volunteer Opportunities:

· The Governor’s Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service is encouraging Floridians and visitors to become a Coast Watch volunteer. Learn more at www.volunteerfloridadisaster.org.

· Report a change in Air Quality to http://www.epa.gov/bpspill/.

· For information on scheduled beach cleanups and other volunteer opportunities, visit http://www.volunteerfloridadisaster.org/.

· To request volunteer information, please call the BP hotline at 1-866-448-5816.

Learn More About Florida’s Response:

· DEP launched a Twitter account, www.Twitter.com/FLDEPalert, dedicated to providing updates on Florida’s response to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill.

· DEP in coordination with the state Emergency Operations Center established an email sign-up and a comprehensive website at http://www.deepwaterhorizonflorida.com.

· For a list of Unified Command, BP and Florida phone numbers, visit http://www.dep.state.fl.us/deepwaterhorizon/default.htm#numbers

· The Oil Spill Information Line is available at 1-888-337-3569 from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 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).