Gulf Oil Spill Update for Florida
Posted on Wednesday, May 12, 2010
If you are planning a vacation to the Florida Gulf Coast and are concerned about the potential impact of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, we encourage you to check with the local destination for the most up-to-date information.
Currently, there are no impacts to Florida beaches due to the Gulf Oil Spill. Along the Northwest Florida beaches, visitors are taking advantage of the warm weather and clear skies we're currently enjoying.
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 Predictions:
- Deepwater Horizon continues to discharge an estimated 5,000 barrels (210,000 gallons) per day.
- On May 8, 2010 BP encountered a challenge with the dome intended to contain the oil discharge. The dome’s opening became clogged with hydrates that form when gas and water mix under certain temperatures and pressures. BP is evaluating options for successfully reinstalling the dome.
- BP continues its efforts to drill a relief well to eliminate the discharge.
- Winds/currents continue to keep the plume away from the Florida coast for at least the next 72 hours.
- The loop current is far south of the oil and there is no imminent threat that the oil will be picked up by the loop current. However, Florida continues to make preparations to safeguard the state’s shoreline.
- Floridians and visitors are reminded that the state’s beaches and other attractions have not been impacted by the oil spill and remain open for public enjoyment.
- Should any impacts to Florida’s coastline occur, these could potentially include tarballs – fragments or lumps of oil weathered into a solid consistency – oil sheen or tar mats –sheets of oil that are thicker than a sheen. Should individuals observe any evidence of oil on Florida’s coastline, they should leave the area and report the incident to 1-866-448-5816.
State Actions:
- As of Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at 8:00 a.m. the Florida Oil Spill Information Line was activated to provide Floridians with response information and resources about the Deepwater Horizon oil incident. Live operators will assist callers with questions and direct them to the appropriate source of information on the oil spill from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., 7 days a week. The Florida Oil Spill Information Line phone number is 1-888-337-3569. This number replaces the Florida Emergency Information Line in order to better serve Florida’s residents and visitors.
- On May 6, 2010, Governor Charlie Crist sent a letter to President Barack Obama requesting a $50 million disaster National Emergency Grant from the United States Department of Labor as a part of Florida’s response plans to the Deepwater Horizon incident.
- On May 5, 2010, the United States Coast Guard (USCG) Sector St. Petersburg, DEP, and BP set up a Unified Command (in support of the Unified Area Command) at the USCG Sector St. Petersburg offices in St. Petersburg.
- St. Petersburg Unified Command will be largely geared toward planning and will grow if it becomes necessary. Sector Key West has also set up a virtual Unified Command that will become operational if necessary.
- Governor Charlie Crist confirmed on May 4, 2010 that Florida will receive a $25-million block grant from BP for initial state and local preparation and response costs.
- On May 3, 2010, Governor Charlie Crist extended a state of emergency declaration for the coastal counties of Franklin, Wakulla, Jefferson, Taylor, Dixie, Levy, Citrus, Hernando, Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee and Sarasota.
- On April 30, 2010, Governor Charlie Crist declared a state of emergency for Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Bay and Gulf Counties.
- The State Emergency Operations Center remains activated at a Level 2 or Partial activation. Two new support cells have been established to handle supplemental boom requests and alternative technology evaluation.
- The State Emergency Response Team has dozens of team members deployed throughout the anticipated impact region to assist with Deepwater Horizon preparation and response.
- DEP conducted water and sediment sampling to use as a baseline for ongoing monitoring.
- DEP is continuously monitoring air quality data. Statewide air quality monitoring is ongoing in coordination with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
- DEP, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), county governments, water management districts and several federal agencies continue to conduct pre-impact assessments, including sampling of water, fish, shellfish and habitats along the Florida coastline and into the Gulf of Mexico.
Boom Placement:
- Approximately 175,950 feet of boom has been placed out of the Pensacola and Panama City staging areas in support of Unified Command.
- An additional 12,000 feet is expected to be placed today in the Bay County area.
- There is 66,000 feet of boom staged in Florida and 360,000 feet of boom on order.
- On May 10, 2010, there was 5,200 feet of boom deployed in the Walton County area. Additional boom could not be placed due to bad weather.
- Placement of boom is based on tides and where the oil is threatening, as well as direction given in each region’s area contingency plan.
- The booming strategy focuses on identified environmentally sensitive areas.
- Estuaries and inlets are at the top of the list, not the beach areas.
- This is to protect sensitive habitat that support wildlife and fish.
- If the oil washes on the beach, the sand can be cleaned.
- Note that booms are not a failsafe solution. They can become ineffective in high seas, strong winds, or currents over one knot.
- Florida’s counties are working through the State Emergency Operations Center. Each county provides input, but the operational decisions for supplemental boom plans are made through the Florida Emergency Operations Center. The State Emergency Response Team is working with the counties, BP as well as the federal agencies to maximize protection and minimize impacts.
- The Unified Command Operations Group is asking boaters to avoid damaging boom. Boom cut or broken due to boater traffic jeopardizes the protection that has been set up for the environmentally sensitive areas across the coast.
Health Effects:
- At this time, there are no indications of any 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.
Fisheries & Seafood:
- The fisheries, wildlife and seafood off of Florida’s coast in state waters are safe and there are no alerts at this time.
- On May 3, 2010 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.
- Fishermen who wish to contact BP about a claim should call 1-800-440-0858.
- FWC is working with DEP, county governments, water management districts and several federal agencies including NOAA and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to conduct pre-impact wildlife assessments.
- These assessments include samples of water, sediments, fish, shellfish and habitats along the Florida coastline and into the Gulf of Mexico. Assessments are needed to provide baseline information prior to the anticipated impact.
- FWC and the University of South Florida College of Marine Science are designing a multi-day scientific research study to obtain information on fisheries resources and plankton in the Gulf of Mexico near the Florida Panhandle.
- Aerial surveys also are planned to identify locations of marine mammals.
- Groups are marking the location of bird and sea turtle nesting sites along the beach. Nests are marked to help prioritize response with real-time information.
- FWC urges citizens to report oiled wildlife to the Wildlife Distress Hotline at 1-866-557-1401.
- For the safety of the public as well as the safety of animals, rescues should be conducted by trained responders. Untrained rescuers may cause more harm than good.
- Anyone involved in volunteer efforts to clear trash from the beaches should be careful of shorebird nesting areas. If birds in the area are acting agitated, calling or swooping at people, there is a good possibility it is a nesting area. The FWC asks the public and oil spill responders to retreat the way they approached and leave the nesting area.
- Even though the wrack line is important to wildlife, if it becomes oiled it then becomes a death trap for birds and other wildlife and makes removal of oil from the beach more difficult. Timing for removal of beach wrack in oil spill response is critical. It should be left on the beach in areas of active nesting as long as possible but removed immediately prior to beaches becoming oiled. In areas distant from active nesting, cleanup of wrack and other natural debris can be performed to better facilitate future oil removal.
- On some Panhandle beaches, the FWC has installed short, white, PVC tubes in the dunes to track endangered beach mice, and on Perdido Key, small aluminum boxes also are being used. This important equipment should not be removed from the beach.
- Also, sea turtle nests are marked with stakes and orange tape - do not remove these items because they help protect the nests from disturbances.
- Do not place litter above the tide line; this can also interfere or cause harm to nesting birds.
- Do not use equipment such as rakes, shovels or tractors.
- Do not bring dogs onto the beach. Dogs, even when leashed, are very threatening to birds and cause them to panic.
- Seabirds and shorebirds are protected by law. Report anyone harming or harassing these birds or nest disturbances to 1-888-404-FWCC (3922).
Closures:
- Currently there are no Florida State Park or beach closures.
Tourism:
- Florida’s pristine beaches and famed fishing grounds remain open to residents and visitors. Currently, there are no impacts to Florida’s 2,276 miles of tidal shoreline and 663 miles of beaches. Florida’s shores are clear and open for business.
- If you are planning a trip to the Sunshine State and are concerned about any potential impact from the Deepwater Horizon Oil incident, VISIT FLORIDA, the state’s official tourism marketing organization, encourages you to check with local destinations in order to get the most up-to-date information.
Volunteer Opportunities:
- 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.
- The "Coast Watchers" will assist BP, the state of Florida and partnering organizations in identifying beaches that need attention.
- Report injured or oiled animals to the Wildlife Distress Hotline: 1-866-557-1401.
- Report oiled shoreline t 1-866-448-5816.
- Emergency Support Function 15, Volunteers and Donations, successfully spearheaded pre-impact beach cleanups over the weekend of May 1-2. More than 1,200 volunteers participated in cleanups in Escambia, Santa Rosa and Wakulla counties to minimize the effect of the Deepwater Horizon incident.
- BP has established a volunteer program and set up a toll-free number for those interested in volunteering. When calling, interested parties should communicate what activities they are volunteering and locations in which they are available to work. For information on assisting with the response efforts, please contact BP’s community information line at 1-866-448-5816.
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