UF-Led Team Awarded More Than $6.5 Million for Oil Spill Projects

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The National Institutes of Health has awarded a University of Florida-led team more than $6.5 million to study the environmental and psychological effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on communities along the Gulf coasts of Florida and Alabama.

The grant was announced today by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and is part of a five-year, $25.2 million program that funds population-based and laboratory studies by researchers at UF and three other universities: Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans, Tulane University and the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. UF faculty will also partner with scientists at the University of West Florida, University of South Alabama and the University of Maryland.

“We’re providing a comprehensive approach to examining the public health effects of the 2010 oil spill in the Florida/Alabama region, but doing it in close collaboration with communities and community organizations,” said Dr. J. Glenn Morris Jr., director of the UF Emerging Pathogens Institute and the grant’s principal investigator.

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Attorney General Bondi to hold brief media availability on her meeting with Kenneth Feinberg

Media Advisory

To: Interested State Media
Date: February 17, 2011
Subject: Attorney General Bondi to hold brief media availability on her
meeting with Kenneth Feinberg

Members of the Media,
Attorney General Bondi will hold a briefing for reporters on her meeting
with Kenneth Feinberg regarding the Deepwater Horizon oil spill claims
process.

Date and Time: Friday, Feb. 18, 2011, 8:35 a.m.

Location: Office of the Attorney General
The Capitol, PL-01
Tallahassee, FL
Contact:
Jenn Meale
Phone: 850.245.0150
jennifer.meale@myfloridalegal.com

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Letter from Representative Hukill, Chair of the House Economic Affairs Committee, to Kenneth Feinberg

Attached, please find a letter sent from Representative Dorothy Hukill, chair of the House Economic Affairs Committee, to Kenneth Feinberg confirming his testimony in front of the House Economic Affairs Committee in regards to the claims process in the wake of the Deepwater Horizon incident.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Kenneth Feinberg Confirmation Letter

… Continue Reading

Statement by Governor Charlie Crist Regarding Filing Deadline for Oil Spill Emergency Claims on Tuesday, November 23, 2010

“With the deadline to submit a claim for Emergency Advance Payments approaching tomorrow, I encourage all individuals and business owners to quickly finalize and submit their applications. These emergency payments can help Floridians economically hurt by this summer’s oil spill, as well as boost our statewide economy.

“When one part of Florida’s economy is hit hard, our whole state suffers. Few tar balls actually touched our beaches, yet businesses throughout our state have struggled to overcome the false perceptions of oil-tainted sand, water and seafood. Their struggles prove that we cannot underestimate the importance of Florida’s beautiful beaches and Gulf waters to our economic vitality and quality of life.
… Continue Reading

MEETING ADVISORY – Gulf Oil Spill Economic Recovery Task Force

The Gulf Oil Spill Economic Recovery Task Force will meet on Wednesday, September 1, 2010, in Tallahassee. The public is invited to attend.

Details for the meeting are as follows:

Date: Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Time: 10:00a.m. – 4:00p.m.
Location: Betty Easley Conference Center, Room 148
Address: 4075 Esplanade Way
Tallahassee, Florida 32399

To listen live to this task force meeting via conference call, please call 888-249-0314 and enter the passcode 97203577. Additional task force information is available at www.flgov.com/gulfrecoverytaskforce.

Contact:
Governor’s Press Office
(850) 488-5394

ATTACHED: Meeting Agenda

9.1.2010 Task Force Meeting Agenda

State Emergency Operations Center Transitions To Monitoring Status For The Deepwater Horizon Event

TALLAHASSEE – The State Emergency Operations Center (EOC) transitioned today to a Level 3 monitoring status for the Deepwater Horizon event. State emergency response officials will continue to respond to impacts as they are reported to the State Watch Office and ensure proper cleanup occurs as needed. … Continue Reading

CFO Alex Sink Calls on Feinberg to Revisit Gulf Claims Process to Fix Flawed Gulf Claims Process

TALLAHASSEE — Florida CFO Alex Sink today sent a letter to Kenneth Feinberg, administrator of the new Gulf Coast Claims Facility (GCCF), calling on him to rewrite the rules in favor of Florida’s small businesses who have been harmed by the oil spill, and also to do away with the requirement that Florida’s small business must re-file claims with the GCCF that have already been filed with BP.

“As you take over the claims process starting today, it appears that you have rejected my request in favor of an extremely restrictive view as to who is eligible for recovery,” CFO Sink wrote. “In my opinion, the GCCF rules must be rewritten in favor of those who were harmed by this catastrophe, as opposed to those who caused it.” … Continue Reading

Florida Realtors®: Real Estate Professionals Receive $16M Allocation from BP Oil Spill Fund

ORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 23, 2010 – Florida Realtors® and four other state Realtor organizations successfully negotiated with Kenneth Feinberg, administrator of the new Gulf Coast Claims Facility handling the British Petroleum (BP) Oil Spill Fund, for a special allocation for real estate professionals’ claims for loss of income or loss of sales due to the Gulf oil spill.

From the special allocation, $16 million is initially available to pay claims to real estate professionals in Florida. Along with other local businesses in the Gulf Coast states, real estate has experienced significant economic harm since the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

“This is great news for Realtors and real estate professionals in Florida, as well as those in our neighboring Gulf Coast states, who are suffering from the loss of their livelihood because of the oil spill crisis,” said 2010 Florida Realtors President Wendell Davis, a broker with Watson Realty Corp. in Jacksonville. “Many real estate claims for loss of income due to the oil spill have been in limbo, leaving people with no way to pay their bills, take care of their families or keep their businesses going. Providing this special allocation is a positive, responsive action on Mr. Feinberg’s part — one that will help people move forward and reclaim their lives.” … Continue Reading

Senate President Jeff Atwater Today Sent the Following Letter to Members Regarding Special Session

TO: Members of The Florida Senate
FROM: Jeff Atwater, President
SUBJECT: Update on Special Session
DATE: August 19, 2010

In light of the ongoing Gulf oil disaster, there has been a great deal of conversation lately regarding a Special Session and next steps. I would like to share with you some of my thoughts on both.

While there may be room for cautious optimism about the status of the Deepwater Horizon well itself, I have no doubts that serious ecological and economic issues remain. In my estimation residents along the Gulf will continue to feel the effects of the disaster for some time, and families and small businesses in those parts of the State will clearly benefit from some legislative relief now and in the foreseeable future. Many of the issues this State will face are as yet unknown, and those that can be reasonably defined are extremely complex. Our collective response will have to be deliberative and thoughtful. … Continue Reading

FWC ends relocation of sea turtle eggs in Franklin, Gulf counties

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), working with partners from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries), announced Thursday that sea turtle nests on the eastern portion of Florida Panhandle beaches would no longer be excavated and transported to the Atlantic coast.

Biologists determined that the risks to hatchlings emerging from beaches and entering waters off the coast of Franklin and Gulf counties have diminished significantly. However, nest excavations will continue west of the St. Joseph Peninsula pending completion of additional risk assessments in those areas. The nest relocations began in June to protect sea turtle hatchlings from potential impacts from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. … Continue Reading

A Statement from Representative Alan Williams: Florida Beaches: Oil Free And Open For Business!

“This weekend, President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama will visit Panama City to meet with local business leaders and to enjoy one of Northwest Florida’s finest communities. It will be the president’s first visit to the area since the BP well was plugged to halt the oil leakage that has threatened coastal resources and our important tourism-related industries.

“I am confident that the First family’s visit to the Florida Panhandle will be recognized for what it is: a sincere expression of concern for our region and an acknowledgement that tourism is vital to the area. … Continue Reading

Florida Department of Health Establishes Long-Term Oil Impact Health Advisory Guidance for Counties

TALLAHASSEE – In response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, the Florida Department of Health (DOH) in coordination with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Gulf coast impacted counties has established new long-term criteria for the issuance and rescission of health advisories due to the oil spill that impacted Florida’s northwest coast. This replaces earlier guidance, developed to provide visitors health information when visiting Florida’s beaches.

“This guidance offers county health departments and our partners along northwest Florida’s beautiful coastline specific criteria to aid in long-term decision-making to notice or rescind health advisories related to an oil spill,” said State Surgeon General Ana Viamonte Ros, M.D., M.P.H. “The Florida Department of Health remains committed to providing the best information to our residents and visitors, so they can make the appropriate health decisions for themselves and their families.” … Continue Reading

Governor Crist Announces Closed Harvesting Area in Escambia County Reopens

Governor Charlie Crist announced tonight that The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has reopened coastal state waters offshore of Escambia County to the harvest of saltwater fish, at 12:01 a.m. July 31. The FWC closed this area on June 14 as a precautionary measure due to possible impacts of oil from the BP Deepwater Horizon spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

“The reopening of gulf waters for fishing is positive news for Floridians who depend on this important industry and for our recreational users and tourist,” said Governor Crist. “Florida seafood is safe to eat and I thank the Food and Drug Administration for completing the test so quickly. … Continue Reading

A Glimpse of the Florida Legislature’s 2010 Special Session

By Representative Joe Gibbons
July 30, 2010

On July 20, the Florida Legislature was called into special session in response to the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Recognizing the threats to our coastal communities and ecosystems, Governor Charlie Crist called the session for the sole purpose of asking the Legislature to allow voters to consider amending the Florida Constitution this fall to prohibit near-shore drilling in state waters 3 to 10 miles from our coastline.

House Speaker Larry Cretul began the session telling Florida House members that the governor lacked veto power over proposed constitutional amendments and the proposed amendment would not resolve the current issues caused by the spill. He said additional studies were needed before the House and Senate should respond. Rather than acting on the constitutional amendment, he established six workgroups to address problems facing Florida’s coastal communities. … Continue Reading

Attorney General Announces Two Oil Spill-Related Investigations

TALLAHASSEE, FL- Attorney General Bill McCollum today announced his office
has launched investigations into two companies over allegations they
offered free emergency response training to consumers, but then withheld
the certifications for various reasons. Hazardous Waste Operations and
Emergency Response Standard (HAZWOPER) training is required by anyone who
is exposed or potentially exposed to hazardous substances while on the
job, including those hired to assist with the Deepwater Horizon cleanup
response.

“When disasters strike, fraud follows closely behind, and my office will
remain vigilant in our consumer protection actions,” said Attorney General
McCollum. “Consumers who have any complaints about fraud or scams related
to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill should report to my office
immediately.” … Continue Reading

Education Commissioner Smith to Visit Gulf County Schools

Florida Education Commissioner Dr. Eric J. Smith will visit with officials from Gulf County Schools tomorrow to discuss the unique hardships they are currently facing due to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. This is the last of a series of visits with Panhandle school districts to gather information and determine the types of assistance the Florida Department of Education can provide.

The visit will take place:

Wednesday, July 28, 2010
11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (Central Time)
Gulf County Schools District Office
150 Middle School Road
Port St. Joe

CONTACT: DOE PRESS OFFICE
(850) 245-0413

Education Commissioner Smith to Visit Bay County School District

Florida Education Commissioner Dr. Eric J. Smith will visit with officials from Bay County School District tomorrow to discuss the unique hardships they are currently facing due to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. This is the second of a series of visits with Panhandle school districts to gather information and determine the types of assistance the Florida Department of Education can provide.

The visit will take place:

Wednesday, July 28, 2010
8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. (Central Time)
Joint Campus of Rosenwald High School and CC Washington Academy
924 Bay Avenue
Panama City

CONTACT: DOE PRESS OFFICE (850) 245-0413

Florida Deepwater Horizon Response July 27, 2010

TALLAHASSEE – 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.

Message of the day: VISIT FLORIDA – Florida Live
To ensure Florida’s visitors are able to make the most informed travel planning decisions, VISIT FLORIDA has created Florida Live at VISITFLORIDA.com. This new webpage allows those planning a trip to Florida to see what’s really happening in the state at any given time.  They can watch live webcams, read Twitter feeds and daily blog posts by tourism experts, see date-and-time stamped photos and videos taken by people enjoying Florida now, and view a listing of vacation deals that include a worry free guarantee so they can book with confidence. … Continue Reading

Florida Deepwater Horizon Response July 23, 2010

TALLAHASSEE – 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.

Message of the day: Sea Turtle Protection
To ensure that sea turtle hatchlings on Florida beaches do not encounter oil from the Deepwater Horizon incident, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service will be relocating nests today in Franklin, Okaloosa, Gulf and Bay counties. Nest excavations have been occurring on Northwest Florida and Alabama Gulf coasts this past month and will continue throughout the summer. … Continue Reading

Florida Deepwater Horizon Response July 22, 2010

TALLAHASSEE – 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.

Message of the day: Camp Beyond the Horizon
To help children cope with stress caused by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, Lutheran Services Florida (LSF), in partnership with the Florida Department of Children and Families and other local sponsors, will provide a therapeutic camp experience. Camp Beyond the Horizon will address the educational and emotional needs of children affected by the disaster. Camp Beyond the Horizon is specifically designed for children in grades kindergarten through six. The camp allows children to process their experiences and their grief in a safe, supportive, caring atmosphere that also offers fun and recreation. The week-long camps will be held in churches and community centers in the affected areas. There is no cost to families for children to participate. The first four camps are scheduled as follows: … Continue Reading