Florida Deepwater Horizon Response July 10, 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.

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:

• Tar balls, tar patties and sheen continue to be reported in Northwest Florida, although fewer impacts have been observed in the last several days. View the latest reconnaissance reports here.
• Continued impacts will be possible in Northwest Florida over the next 72 hours, likely in the form of tar balls and tar patties.
• Nearly 90 percent of Florida’s more than 1,260 miles of coastline remains unimpacted.
• 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.
• Pensacola Pass as well as Perdido Pass will continue to be closed with the tide to reduce the amount of oil entering inland waters. These waterways are manned to allow access to necessary vessel traffic and are open for vessel traffic during low tide. See NOAA tide predictions.
• Observations by NOAA continue to indicate no significant amounts of oil moving toward the Loop Current. The Loop Current Ring, a circular current which was formerly part of the Loop Current provides no clear path for oil to enter the Florida Straits.
• There have been no reports of Deepwater Horizon oil spill-related products reaching the shore beyond the Northwest Florida region. There is no indication that the rest of the state will have impacts from weathered oil products within the next 72 hours.

No significant tropical activity is expected in the next 48 hours. … Continue Reading

CFO Sink Commends Special Session On Drilling Ban

TALLAHASSEE – Florida CFO Alex Sink issued the following statement in response to Governor Charlie Crist’s announcement of a special session on July 20-23 to pass a constitutional ban on oil drilling in state waters. CFO Sink was the first statewide elected official to call for a special session to ban near beach oil drilling on May 6. … Continue Reading

CFO Sink Asks Florida Congressional Delegation To Waive Federal Income Tax On BP Payments

TALLAHASSEE— Florida CFO Alex Sink today sent a letter to every member of Florida’s Congressional Delegation asking them to support legislation that would waive the federal income tax on the lost income payments Floridians have received from BP.

“Every dollar counts right now as many Floridians struggle to get by because of the oil disaster, and this common-sense measure just makes sense for our citizens and businesses,” said CFO Sink. “BP should pay for this income tax loss, instead of taking much needed resources from our small business owners and other Floridians.” … Continue Reading

Governor Crist Applauds Opening of Florida’s First Oil Spill Response Branch Office

~ Branch office will allow federal, state and local government to streamline response efforts ~

PENSACOLA – Governor Charlie Crist, continuing his commitment to recovery efforts in the Gulf of Mexico, today attended the opening of Florida’s first branch office committed to oil spill response. The branch office, located in Pensacola to serve both Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, brings together federal, state and local agencies to streamline response efforts. … Continue Reading

Select Committee on Florida’s Economy Public Workshop and Site Visit – July 12, 2010

To: Interested Media
From: Jaryn Emhof, 850-487-5632
Date: July 7, 2010
Subject: Notice – Senate Select Committee on Florida’s Economy Public Workshop and Site Visit – July 12, 2010

Escambia Beach Site Visit

When: Monday, July 12, 2010
7:45 AM Meet at Pensacola Junior College (PJC) WSRE Studios, Jean & Paul Amos Performance Studio
8:00 AM Depart PJC for Site Visit – actual site to be announced at departure time
9:15 AM View Bayou Chico Staging Area
Due to logistical limitations, transportation is not provided … Continue Reading

Florida Deepwater Horizon Response July 6, 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.

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:

• Tar balls, tar patties and sheen have been reported in Northwest Florida, though fewer impacts have been observed due to westward-moving winds and ocean currents. View the latest reconnaissance reports here.
• Continued impacts will be possible in Northwest Florida over the next 72-hours, likely in the form of tar balls and tar patties.
• Nearly 90 percent of Florida’s coastline remains unimpacted.
• 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.
• Pensacola Pass as well as Perdido Pass will continue to be closed with the tide to reduce the amount of oil entering inland waters. These waterways are manned to allow access to necessary vessel traffic and are open for vessel traffic during low tide. See NOAA tide predictions.

… Continue Reading

Florida Deepwater Horizon Response July 5, 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.

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:
·        Tar balls, tar patties and sheen have been reported in Northwest Florida, though fewer impacts were reported over the weekend due to westward-moving winds and ocean currents. View the latest reconnaissance reports here.
·        Continued impacts will be possible in Northwest Florida over the next 72-hours, likely in the form of tar balls and tar patties.
·        Nearly 90 percent of Florida’s coastline remains unimpacted.
·        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.
·        Pensacola Pass as well as Perdido Pass will continue to be closed with the tide to reduce the amount of oil entering inland waters. These waterways are manned to allow access to necessary vessel traffic and are open for vessel traffic during low tide. See NOAA tide predictions.
·        Due to the amount of boat traffic on the Fourth of July weekend, if oil is present in or near Little Sabine Pass, Escambia County will not be opening the boom for recreational vessels.  If Little Sabine pass is clear of oil, the boom will be opened on the outgoing tide. This is an effort to protect Little Sabine from oil, mousse and tar balls. … Continue Reading

Florida Deepwater Horizon Response July 4, 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.

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:

• Tar balls, tar patties and sheen have been reported in Northwest Florida, with the heaviest impacts reported in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties. View the latest reconnaissance reports here.
• Impacts in the already affected areas in Northwest Florida will continue within the next 72 hours.
• Nearly 90 percent of Florida’s coastline remains unimpacted.
• 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.
• Pensacola Pass as well as Perdido Pass will continue to be closed with the tide to reduce the amount of oil entering inland waters. These waterways are manned to allow access to necessary vessel traffic and are open for vessel traffic during low tide. See NOAA tide predictions.
• Due to the amount of boat traffic on the Fourth of July, if oil is present in or near Little Sabine Pass, Escambia County will not be opening the boom for recreational vessels.  If Little Sabine pass is clear of oil, the boom will be opened on the outgoing tide. This is an effort to protect Little Sabine from oil, mousse and tar balls.
• Observations by NOAA continue to indicate no significant amounts of oil moving toward the Loop Current. The Loop Current Ring, a circular current which was formerly part of the Loop Current provides no clear path for oil to enter the Florida Straits.
• There have been no reports of Deepwater Horizon oil spill-related products reaching the shore beyond the Northwest Florida region. There is no indication that the rest of the state will have impacts from weathered oil products within the next 72 hours.

On Site Actions:

… Continue Reading

Statement by State Coordinating Officer David Halstead Regarding the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Statistical Modeling Study on the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

“The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released a report on July 2 modeling the historical wind and ocean currents to project the likelihood that surface oil from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill will impact additional U.S. coastline. While the report suggests there is a potential for oil impacts along the rest of Florida’s coastline, it is vital that all of Florida’s residents and visitors recognize that this report is based merely on a model, not an actual observation.

“I want to remind everyone that at this time, there has not been any confirmed oil from the Deepwater Horizon spill in the Florida Straits. Based on the 500 scenarios on which the model is run, most scenarios assume that the Loop Current is fully connected and extends northward into the Gulf of Mexico, which would then serve as a mechanism to transport oil product south and east to the Florida Straits. At this time, there is a Loop Current Ring that is not attached to the main Loop Current channel in the Florida Straits and there is currently no strong evidence to support that this feature will reattach in the near future. … Continue Reading

Florida Deepwater Horizon Response July 3, 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.

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:

• Tar balls, tar patties and sheen have been reported in Northwest Florida, with the heaviest impacts reported in Escambia County. View the latest reconnaissance reports here.
• Impacts in the already affected areas in Northwest Florida will continue within the next 72 hours.
• Nearly 90 percent of Florida’s coastline remains unimpacted.
• 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.
• Pensacola Pass as well as Perdido Pass will continue to be closed with the tide to reduce the amount of oil entering inland waters. These waterways are manned to allow access to necessary vessel traffic and are open for vessel traffic during low tide. See NOAA tide predictions.
• Due to the amount of boat traffic on the Fourth of July, if oil is present in or near Little Sabine Pass, Escambia County will not be opening the boom for recreational vessels.  If Little Sabine pass is clear of oil, the boom will be opened on the outgoing tide. This is an effort to protect Little Sabine from oil, mousse and tar balls.
• Observations by NOAA continue to indicate no significant amounts of oil moving toward the Loop Current. The Loop Current Ring, a circular current which was formerly part of the Loop Current provides no clear path for oil to enter the Florida Straits.
• There have been no reports of Deepwater Horizon oil spill-related oil products reaching the shore beyond the Northwest Florida region. There is no indication that the rest of the state will have impacts from weathered oil products within the next 72 hours.

On Site Actions:

… Continue Reading

Governor Crist Secures Emergency Funds for Florida

~ National Emergency Grant to aid dislocated workers affected by Deepwater Horizon spill ~

TALLAHASSEE – At the request of Governor Charlie Crist, Florida has been awarded a $7 million National Emergency Grant (NEG) to provide employment-related assistance to dislocated workers affected by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The grant, which will be administered by the Agency for Workforce Innovation, will assist workers projected to be laid off as a result of the oil spill.

On May 6, 2010, Governor Crist sent a letter to President Barack Obama requesting a $50 million NEG from the United States Department of Labor as part of Florida’s response to the Deepwater Horizon Incident. On June 30, 2010, U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis announced the award to Florida.

“The people of Florida who rely on the beaches and waters of the Gulf of Mexico for their livelihoods are hurting,” said Governor Crist. “I am grateful to Secretary Solis for these funds, which we will put to work as soon as possible in the areas most severely affected by the oil spill.” … Continue Reading

Memorandum-Attorney General Sends Letter Expressing Concerns about Feinberg’s Congressional Testimony

MEMORANDUM

Date: July 2, 2010
From: Ryan Wiggins, Attorney General’s Deputy Communications Director
To: Members of the media
Re: Attorney General Sends Letter Expressing Concerns About Feinberg’s
Congressional Testimony

Members of the Media:

Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum today sent a letter to Kenneth
Feinberg, the Administrator of claims against BP’s $20 billion escrow fund
, advising of his strong disagreement with Mr. Feinberg’s Congressional
testimony earlier this week. In his letter, the Attorney General also
relayed his concerns regarding Mr. Feinberg’s apparent interpretation of
Florida law.

In his letter, the Attorney General notes that it is the federal Oil
Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA) that should guide the claims process. OPA
clearly sets forth that the rights of claimants to seek damages are
freestanding of any state law. Further, the Attorney General asserts that
even if state law did apply, Mr. Feinberg was misinterpreting the law and
referencing a law that would not pertain to this issue. … Continue Reading

Senate Panel Probe Oil Spill Economics

With a mounting economic crisis following in the wake of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, the Senate’s Select Committee on the Economy will begin meeting in early July to consider action to assist affected businesses, individuals and local governments. The initial meeting will be held July 12th in Pensacola, the area of the state hit first and worst by the spill.

According to Senator Don Gaetz, the committee chairman, the bi-partisan panel will begin receiving testimony and discussing potential legislation across a broad range of oil spill issues affecting the state’s economy.

Gaetz said his committee will consider tax relief for affected property owners, the damage and claims process related to the spill, and changes which may be needed in the regulatory environment to promote economic recovery. Actions recommended by the committee may be taken up by either a special or regular session of the Legislature, or both. … Continue Reading

Florida’s Commercial Fishermen: “We’re in Business, But We Need You”

Times have been hard for Florida’s commercial fishermen. A tough economy, and now a massive oil spill in the Gulf. Some are out of business. Others on the brink. But Florida’s commercial fishing industry has a proud heritage.

Fishing built our coastal towns, and shaped our state’s history. Florida seafood is a tradition long enjoyed by people from all walks of life. Whether eating in or dining out, whenever family and friends get together, it’s always a special time when Florida seafood is on the table.

And, despite the images from the Gulf, Florida seafood is safe and ready to be enjoyed. The fresh catch from clean, unaffected Florida waters is coming in daily.

We’re in business, but we need you. Pay a visit to your local fish market or coastal seafood restaurant, and enjoy Florida’s delicious seafood harvest that so many, work so hard, to bring to you.

WATCH THE 60-SECOND VIDEO
http://www.fl-seafood.com/weneedyou/

FOR INFORMATION:
Joanne McNeely
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
(850) 488-0163
mcneelj@doacs.state.fl.us

Bronson Urges Citizens to Avoid Oil Spill Scams

TALLAHASSEE — Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson today advised consumers to be on the lookout for any scams arising out of the British Petroleum (BP) oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

While Bronson’s Consumer Services Division has yet to receive any complaints or uncover any fraud involving the oil spill, analysts and investigators with the agency are working closely with the Federal Trade Commission and other states to thwart any problems that may occur.

Still, based on previous experiences in dealing with major events like the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the Gulf War and major hurricanes, Bronson said it is likely that scam artists are now or soon will be at work to profit from the oil spill. … Continue Reading

Florida Deepwater Horizon Response July 2, 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.

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:

• Tar balls, tar patties and sheen have been reported in Northwest Florida, with the heaviest impacts reported in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties. View the latest reconnaissance reports here.
• Impacts in the already affected areas in Northwest Florida will continue within the next 72 hours.
• Nearly 90 percent of Florida’s coastline remains unimpacted.
• 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.
• Pensacola Pass as well as Perdido Pass will continue to be closed with the tide to reduce the amount of oil entering inland waters. These waterways are manned to allow access to necessary vessel traffic and are open for vessel traffic during low tide. See NOAA tide predictions.
• Observations by NOAA continue to indicate no significant amounts of oil moving toward the Loop Current. The Loop Current Ring, a circular current which was formerly part of the Loop Current provides no clear path for oil to enter the Florida Straits.
• There have been no reports of Deepwater Horizon oil spill-related oil products reaching the shore beyond the Northwest Florida region. There is no indication that the rest of the state will have impacts from weathered oil products within the next 72 hours.
• Tropical Depression Alex dissipated over central Mexico on Thursday July 1.  No other tropical activity is forecasted within the next 72 hours.

… Continue Reading

Agency for Workforce Innovation Warns Floridians about Oil Spill Job Scams

~ Floridians reminded there is no charge to apply or train for jobs ~

www.floridagulfrecoveryjobs.com

TALLAHASSEE – Agency for Workforce Innovation Director Cynthia R. Lorenzo today issued an advisory warning Floridians to be wary of companies offering beach cleanup jobs for a fee.  Recent reports indicate some Floridians have paid fees to submit applications or undergo training for oil spill-related jobs, only to later discover the advertised jobs were not available or the training not as described.

“In collaboration with Workforce Florida Inc. and Florida’s Regional Workforce Boards, we are working diligently to advance Governor Crist’s priority of connecting local job seekers with BP-certified contractors in response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill,” said Director Lorenzo. “We encourage Floridians to visit floridagulfrecoveryjobs.com, a dedicated portal of the state’s official online job bank that offers free, convenient and secure online applications for confirmed response and recovery jobs.” … Continue Reading

How Fast Can Microbes Break Down Oil Washed Onto Gulf Beaches?

Florida State Examines Oil Degradation Rates in Beach Sands, Threats to Beach Ecosystems

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. ⎯ A new Florida State University study is investigating how quickly the Deepwater Horizon oil carried into Gulf of Mexico beach sands is being degraded by the sands’ natural microbial communities, and whether native oil-eating bacteria that wash ashore with the crude are helping or hindering that process. … Continue Reading

Florida Announces Improved Oiled Bird Recovery Plan

~New response plan ensures quick recovery of oiled birds~

TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) together with federal partners today announced the creation of an oiled bird recovery plan for rapid response to distressed birds. The recovery plan was created and approved by the Incident Command Sector Mobile, with assistance from impacted states, to ensure oiled birds are recovered within 60 minutes of their initial report. Under the plan, a Florida Panhandle Group will be established in Panama City to coordinate the rapid recovery and rescue of injured wildlife on Florida’s shores. … Continue Reading

Florida Deepwater Horizon Response July 1, 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.

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. … Continue Reading