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GULF OF MEXICO Oil Spill This Is a Tar Ball Sample
If you see anything that looks like this, contact your local authorities. Authorities approve BP “top kill” plan Dallas, Texas (WiredPRNews.com)2010-05-27 15:09:44 (GMT) – BP was granted approval Wednesday to proceed with plans to implement a new method to stop the current oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. As reported by CNN, BP is set to decide Wednesday whether the method, known as the “top kill” plan will be viable following diagnostic test results. BP Chief Executive Officer Tony Hayward is quoted in the report as stating of the plans, “So far, it’s looking OK… But we haven’t got all the data we need.” With the top kill procedure, mud would be pumped into the gusher to stop the massive oil flow. It reportedly has yet to be tried at such a depth under the sea. NOAA, Navy Partner to Monitor Ocean Conditions Near Spill Area NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson dispatched to deploy special instruments May 26, 2010 - NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson is underway on a mission to deploy a variety of U.S. Navy ocean monitoring instruments in the vicinity of the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The floats, drifters and gliders will aid researchers in monitoring the surface and deep currents that are distributing the oil. Of particular interest is the Loop Current and its potential to spread the oil to a much wider area. “NOAA is proud to partner with the U.S. Navy in the ongoing effort to provide scientific data critical to understanding the Loop Current and the marine environment in the Deepwater Horizon spill area,” said Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. “NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson’s mission will add significantly to the growing body of information NOAA is gathering on the Gulf of Mexico's dynamic environment in collaboration with our federal agency and university partners.” NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson was deployed to the Gulf of Mexico in early April to conduct surveys to update the nautical charts and to baseline benthic habitats in the Flower Gardens National Marine Sanctuary. Operated by the NOAA Office of Marine and Aviation Operations, the 208-ft. hydrographic vessel has a crew of 36 NOAA Corps officers, survey technicians and wage mariners. The ship is homeported in Norfolk, Va. The Naval Oceanographic Office, located at Stennis Space Center in Bay St. Louis, Miss., operates the instrumented drifters, gliders, and floats in support of U.S. Navy operations worldwide. The data collected from these instruments will be shared with the scientific community and used to improve the accuracy of circulation models in the Gulf of Mexico. A NOAA Lockheed WP-3D Orion also has been gathering data on the Loop Current while other NOAA aircraft have been mapping the spill’s extent and surveying marine mammals in the affected area. BP Oil Spill News Many urge White House to intervene in oil clean up
Washington (WiredPRNews.com)2010-05-26 02:12:03 (GMT) – Many are calling for action from the White House regarding the cleanup of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. As reported by the Associated Press (AP), many have questioned why there is not more control by the current administration in dealing with cleanup, after efforts by BP have done little to improve the situation. Coast Guard Commandant Thad Allen has reportedly asserted that BP’s expertise and equipment are needed in continued efforts to handle the situation. BP CEO Tony Hayward is quoted by the AP as stating of continued efforts, “We are going to do everything in our power to prevent any more oil from coming ashore, and we will clean every last drop up and we will remediate all of the environmental damage.” BP Lawsuit Help for Lawyers is now available using CEPAC Lawyer Marketing. The CEPAC Lawyer Marketing - legal blog marketing group has assembled an experienced team of BP lawsuit writers for this effort. Together, we can build a coalition of legal blogs for your law firm dedicated to getting your lawyer blog front and center as an authoritative BP lawsuit voice. Together, we can build a coalition of legal blogs for your law firm dedicated to getting your lawyer blog front and center as an authoritative BP lawsuit voice. Call Kevin Quinlan– BP oil spill blog marketing help desk to launch your BP Lawsuit Legal Blog Families Await Answers Following Oil Rig Explosion off Louisiana Coast The Coast Guard has called off its search for 11 oil rig workers missing after the explosion of Deep Water Horizon last Tuesday. May 25, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The Coast Guard has called off its search for 11 oil rig workers missing after the explosion of Deep Water Horizon last Tuesday. Assumed dead, the 11 missing workers join 17 other victims injured in the accident four of whom remain in critical condition. The terrifying oil rig explosion, which occurred off the Louisiana coast, has reinvigorated calls for safer mining practices and better safety precautions on big ocean mining rigs. Louisiana oil rig explosion attorneys like those at the Bohrer Law Firm have heard such calls for action before. Yet these accidents still happen, and far too often. "The question isn't whether action should be taken on the issue of dangerous oil rigs," said Attorney Philip Bohrer, founder of The Bohrer Law Firm. "The question is whether any significant steps will actually be taken and, if so, will they address the real issues behind this sort of oil rig accident" According to a review released last year by the Minerals Management Service (MMS), there were more than 1,400 accidents aboard oil rigs. These accidents resulted in 41 deaths and 300 injuries, some severe. The federal agency was already pushing forward new legislation designed to make oil rigs safer when the Deep Water Horizon exploded. Unlike most legislative proposals, however, the new rules proposed by the MMS would place greater emphasis on preventing human error on oil rigs. It isn't known yet what caused Tuesday's oil rig explosion off Louisiana's coast, but even if human error was to blame, drilling companies won't be completely off the hook. "These 11 families deserve to know why their husbands, fathers and brothers didn't make it home," said Bohrer. British Petroleum (BP), the company leasing Deep Water Horizon, currently has its hands full battling the spread of oil in the water around the sunken rig. While it is not yet a full-blown disaster, environmentalists are watching the situation closely. If not contained, the spilled oil could have big implications for those making a living on the Louisiana coast. In the end, the toll could be even higher. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke Announces Fishery Failure Determination in Gulf of Mexico May 24, 2010 - U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke today determined there has been a fishery disaster in the Gulf of Mexico due to the economic impact on commercial and recreational fisheries from the ongoing Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The affected area includes the states of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. “We are taking this action today because of the potentially significant economic hardship this spill may cause fishermen and the businesses and communities that depend on those fisheries,” Locke said. “The disaster determination will help ensure that the Federal government is in a position to mobilize the full range of assistance that fishermen and fishing communities may need.” Locke made the determination under Section 312(a) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. The declaration was made in response to requests from Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal and Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour based on the loss of access to many commercial fisheries and the existing and anticipated environmental damage from this unprecedented event. Since May 2, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has closed a portion of federal waters affected by the spill to commercial and recreational fishing. This closure area, which is based on the scientific trajectory of the spill, now includes nearly 20 percent of federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico, largely between Louisiana state waters at the mouth of the Mississippi and the waters off Florida’s Pensacola Bay. “We stand with America’s fishermen, their families and businesses in impacted coastal communities during this challenging time,” Locke said. “Commercial and recreational fishing provides vital jobs to the region and is essential to the Gulf Coast’s unique culture and heritage.” Commercial fishermen in the Gulf harvested more than 1 billion pounds of fish and shellfish in 2008. In addition, there are approximately 5.7 million recreational fishermen in the Gulf of Mexico region who took 25 million fishing trips in 2008. The administration has requested $15 million of supplemental funding as a backstop to address this disaster, as well as $5 million of economic development assistance through the Economic Development Administration. In addition, the administration is requesting unemployment coverage for this disaster, and the Small Business Administration is offering economic injury disaster loans, which can help fishermen and other affected businesses. However, the administration expects that BP and any other responsible parties will cover the full costs of economic damages to and restoration of these fisheries. "As I See It"
by Rodney Barreto May 17, 2010 FWC, along with all the rest of Florida, stands prepared We often take for granted all the things that make our life easy until something happens to make us sit up and take notice. This happened in late April, when the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico brought us all to attention. So far, Florida's fish and wildlife remain safe from the impact of oil coming ashore, and we hope for the best. The longer that oil stays out at sea, the better it is for our estuaries and marshes where the fish and wildlife spawn and nest. We are still the Fishing Capital of the World. It took thousands of years for folks to realize the thick, tar-like substance bubbling up out of the earth might have some use in our lives. That discovery fueled centuries of new inventions and technology to enable people to live longer and in comfort. Part of the price was a contaminated environment. We are now a society dependent upon that petroleum, but with that dependence comes the certainty that we must take responsibility for any consequences. It is true that BP leads the effort to contain and clean up the spill from its wellhead, but others have stepped forth to assist as well. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is working closely with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the lead agency in the state for responding to the oil spill. Both the FWC and DEP are involved in gathering pre-assessment data, along with many other agencies, such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Coast Guard and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. At the FWC, we stand ready to minimize harm to wildlife affected by the oil spill, if oil should come ashore. The FWC is involved in the strategic planning that will attempt to secure the spill to prevent damage to Florida and its outstanding resources. Our scientists are mapping high-priority fish and wildlife habitats to help focus protective measures, and they are conducting biological assessments to establish a baseline for measuring the severity of potential harm to fish and wildlife. Volunteers immediately began calling the FWC and other agencies to find out how they could help when news broke that the oil could reach Florida. I am encouraged by this outpouring of support, and the FWC thanks all those who make wildlife a priority. However, this crisis situation differs from other disasters we've faced in Florida, from hurricanes and flooding to droughts and fires. If an oiled fish washes ashore or wildlife covered in oil appears distressed, some of us will be tempted to rush out and rescue the animal. However, that will not be the best course of action for either the wildlife or the Good Samaritan. This crisis involves hazardous materials that need to be handled by properly trained personnel for the safety of you and for the survival of the wildlife you think you might be saving. Attempting to rescue wildlife distressed by the oil could further distress the animal. Your presence could have the opposite of the intended effect. Distressed wildlife can be dangerous as they fight to survive. You also are putting yourself at risk by touching the oil. Nobody wins in this situation, and while our well-intentioned actions may seem helpful, they are not. It is best to let the trained professionals take over, and there are plenty of them and even more coming on board to receive the necessary training to assist. All oil-contaminated wildlife will be handled by trained workers. As we go through the long process of preparing, protecting and then cleaning up any potential oil residue that reaches our shores, there will be plenty of opportunities to assist. Volunteer Florida is an active participant in the oil spill response and encourages those who want to assist to get involved locally through affiliated pre-landfall beach cleanups, fundraising and assisting with the needs of all the organizations involved in the response. Remember all beach cleanups should come through organized efforts. For more information on how to help, visit www.volunteerfloridadisaster.org. We're all in this together. The FWC will do everything possible to protect Florida's fish and wildlife, and that's why I've called for an emergency meeting with our agency's staff. This meeting is unprecedented, but so is the oil spill that could possibly affect our natural resources. The meeting will be May 19 at 10 a.m. at TradeWinds Island Grand in St. Pete Beach. Visit MyFWC.com/Commission for more information. Florida's fish and wildlife have the very best resources working for their protection and survival. Damaged Wellhead
U.S. Dept. of Defense - Gas from the damaged Deepwater Horizon wellhead is burned by the drillship Discoverer Enterprise in the Gulf of Mexico in a process known as flaring, May 16, 2010. Gas and oil from the wellhead are being brought to the surface via a tube that was placed inside the damaged pipe. BP and Transocean Push to Limit Liability for Gulf Oil Spill Disaster On Tuesday, May 18, BP CEO Tony Hayward told the Associated Foreign Press "the overall environmental impact [of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill] will be very, very modest." May 23, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- On Tuesday, May 18, BP CEO Tony Hayward told the Associated Foreign Press "the overall environmental impact [of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill] will be very, very modest." Meanwhile, over 94,000 barrels of oil have already spilled into the Gulf of Mexico, with an additional 5,000 more leaking out each day (unofficial estimates put that figure as high as 70,000 barrels per day). Another 400,000 gallons of chemical dispersant have also been released into our seas and almost 46,000 square miles of water have been closed off to fishing. While BP tries to play down the impact of the spill, environmentalists and government officials are increasingly concerned about the oil reaching the Florida Keys and the east coast of the United States. What's more, recent reports suggest that BP employees and contractors are working to prevent the media from reporting on the magnitude of this disaster; in one case turning a CBS news crew away from a Louisiana beach on threat of arrest. And as lawsuits continue to mount against the oil giant and drilling contractor Transocean, both companies have begun full-scale efforts to limit their liability for the explosion and subsequent oil spill. Under federal law, compensation must be provided to local and state governments, businesses and residents who have been affected by this disaster, but these damages are capped at only $75 million. Additionally, Transocean, which actually owned the Deepwater Horizon rig, has claimed that its liability is limited to just $27 million under the Limitation of Liability Act, passed 160 years ago. Under the law, a vessel owner can limit its liability to the value of the vessel and its freight. But this law was passed well before insurance companies began offering coverage to ocean vessels, and the drilling giant has already received a payout of $400 million from its insurance provider. By allowing this claim, Transocean could actually end up profiting from the spill. Article provided by Blizzard, McCarthy & Nabers Visit us at www.blizzardlaw.com BP oil slick disaster
2010-05-20 03:12:34 (GMT) - 1500 searches in Google advertising(PPC)for a 2-hour window yesterday shows the concern or curiosity the oil slick disaster is generating. Attorneys jockeying for position are waging their own public relations battle. Robert Kennedy Jr a leader for the environment will speak in Atlanta at the oil in the Gulf-litigation and insurance coverage conference. Winning the war of public relations will be the key; whether traditional or online, whoever uses the best tactics will be the most successful. BP Lawsuit Helpdesk for BP Oil SPill for BP Lawyer or Class Action Attorney The CEPAC Lawyer Blog Marketing team has assembled an experienced team of BP Lawsuit writers for this effort. 2010-05-20 00:03:49 (GMT)- Federal class action lawsuit against BP oil spill spurs influx of legal assistance. Disaster is clouding the waters of the Gulf of Mexico after the BP operated oil platform Deepwater Horizon exploded and sank on April 20, 2010. This catastrophic leak set in motion a series of events that could lead to the largest ecological disaster in the history of the United States. The colossal oil slick is still out of control, growing at a rate of 5,000 - 25,000 barrels per day, threatening the Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana coastlines, and threatening both the struggling U.S. economy and the nation’s coastal residents. Experts predict this latest oil disaster could have effects on the Gulf Coast for decades to come. Class action lawsuits have already been filed against BP as a result of the oil leak, while the Gulf Coast Oil Disaster Network has begun assembling a team of BP lawsuit oil spill attorneys from the Gulf Coast. In a “shareholder derivative” federal lawsuit filed on May 7th in Louisiana, shareholders charge BP of having “a long history of ignoring crucial safety issues related to the operation of offshore submersible rigs such as the Deepwater Horizon rig, including problems with the crucial blowout preventer devices that so spectacularly failed during this disaster.” The lawsuit also names Cameron, the company that manufactured the blowout preventer which was intended to cease the flow of oil in case of emergency, Transocean, which owned the Deepwater Horizon, and Halliburton, which did the cementing on the well. Class action attorneys can now promote their websites, to be found on page 1 of Google search results using Vision Smart News technology utilizing law blog platforms. The CEPAC Lawyer Blog Marketing team has assembled an experienced team of BP lawsuit writers for this effort. Together, we can build a coalition of legal blogs for your law firm dedicated to getting your lawyer blog ranked as an authoritative BP lawsuit voice. BP Lawsuit Helpdesk for Class action lawyers by Cepac Lawyer Marketing. Class action attorneys can get their website ranked fast to create visibility for the law firm. Call Rene Perras - BP Lawsuit Help Desk to Get your BP oil Lawsuit Legal Blog Tar wash up in Keys not connected to oil spill
Tar blobs that washed up in the Florida Keys are reportedly not linked to the oil spill in the Gulf. Key West (WiredPRNews.com)2010-05-20 00:06:04 (GMT) – Tar that recently surfaced in the Florida Keys is reportedly not connected to the oil spill in the Gulf. As reported by the Chicago Tribune, the Coast Guard made the announcement Wednesday after tar balls washed up early in the week in areas including Key West and Big Pine Key, which is where the Key Deer National Wildlife Refuge is located. Capt. Pat DeQuattro, commanding officer of Coast Guard Sector Key West, is quoted in the report as stating, “The conclusion that these tar balls are not from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill incident in no way diminishes the need to continue to aggressively identify and clean up tar ball-contaminated areas in the Florida Keys.” Damaged Wellhead
U.S. Dept. of Defense - Gas from the damaged Deepwater Horizon wellhead is burned by the drillship Discoverer Enterprise in the Gulf of Mexico in a process known as flaring, May 16, 2010. Gas and oil from the wellhead are being brought to the surface via a tube that was placed inside the damaged pipe. Louisiana Officials Continue Aggressive Monitoring of Air Quality, Water and Seafood Safety in Response to Oil Spill BATON ROUGE (May 9, 2010) - Officials with the Louisiana departments of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Health and Hospitals (DHH), and Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) are continuing to work together with federal agencies to protect public health and guarantee the safety of Gulf Coast-harvested seafood products. previous stories and ongoing situation follows below
Update on Riser Insertion Tube Tool progress ROBERT, La. - The Unified Area Command for the response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill continues to advance multiple subsea options to contain and ultimately stop the flow of oil from the MC 252 well in the Gulf of Mexico. Overnight the Riser Insertion Tube Tool was successfully tested and inserted into the leaking riser, capturing some amounts of oil and gas. The oil was stored on board the Discoverer Enterprise drill ship 5,000 feet above on the water's surface, and natural gas was burned through a flare system on board the ship. The test was halted temporarily when the tube was dislodged. While this is disappointing, it is not unexpected given the challenging operating environment. Technicians have fully inspected the system and have re-inserted the tool. The tool is fashioned from a 4-inch pipe and is inserted into the leaking riser, from which the majority of the flow is coming. While not collecting all of the leaking oil, this tool is an important step in reducing the amount of oil being released into Gulf waters. The procedure - never attempted before at such depths - involves inserting a 5-foot length of the specifically-designed tool into the end of the existing, damaged riser from where the oil and gas is leaking. In a procedure approved by federal agencies and the Federal On Scene Coordinator, methanol will also be flowed into the riser to help prevent the formation of gas crystals, known as hydrates. Gas and oil will then flow to the surface to the Discoverer Enterprise drillship. The Enterprise has the capability to separate the oil, gas and water mixture safely and eventually store or offload the recovered oil onto another vessel. The Ongoing Administration-Wide Response to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill UPDATED May 15, 2010 5 PM Secretaries Napolitano and Salazar Seek Clarification of BP’s Redress Intentions Secretary Napolitano and Secretary Salazar sent a letter to BP CEO Tony Hayward publicly holding BP’s feet to fire. As the President said yesterday, this administration is committed to ensuring that those affected are compensated. The Secretaries reiterated that as a responsible party for this event, BP is accountable to the American public for the full clean up of this spill and all the economic loss caused by the spill and related events. Coast Guard and EPA Approve Use of Dispersant Subsea The U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced they have authorized BP to use dispersants underwater, at the source of the Deepwater Horizon leak. Oil spill dispersants are chemicals that attempt to break down the oil into small drops and prevent it from reaching the surface or the U.S. shoreline. Dispersants are generally less harmful than the highly toxic oil leaking from the source and biodegrade in a much shorter time span. The use of the dispersant at the source of the leak represents a novel approach to addressing the significant environmental threat posed by the spill. Preliminary testing results indicate that subsea use of the dispersant is effective at reducing the amount of oil from reaching the surface—and can do so with the use of less dispersant than is needed when the oil does reach the surface. This is an important step to reduce the potential for damage from oil reaching fragile wetlands and coastal areas. This course of action was decided upon with thorough evaluation and consideration of many factors as well as consultation with stakeholders. While BP pursues the use of subsea dispersants, the federal government will require regular analysis of its effectiveness and impact on the environment, water and air quality, and human health through a rigorous monitoring program. EPA's directive to BP, including the monitoring plan the company must adhere to in order to ensure the protection of the environment and public health, is publicly available at www.epa.gov/bpspill/dispersants. Secretary Salazar Visits Wildlife Rehabilitations Center Secretary Salazar visited Fort Jackson Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Buras, La., today to examine efforts being undertaken by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and its partners to protect and rehabilitate wildlife affected by the BP oil spill. Salazar also visited the Unified Area Command facility in Robert, La., for a briefing. Fishing Restrictions Extended; More Than 92 Percent Remains Open NOAA Fisheries revised the federal fishery closure boundaries late on May 14. The new closure will cover is a precautionary measure to ensure public safety and assure consumer confidence of Gulf of Mexico seafood. These changes will leave more than 92 percent of the Gulf’s federal waters open for fishing, and supporting productive fisheries and tourism. More details can be found here. Staging Area Total Grows to 17 17 staging areas are in place and ready to protect sensitive shorelines, including: Dauphin Island, Ala., Orange Beach, Ala., Theodore, Ala., Panama City, Fla., Pensacola, Fla., Port St. Joe, Fla., St. Marks, Fla., Amelia, La., Cocodrie, La., Grand Isle, La., Shell Beach, La., Slidell, La., St. Mary, La.; Venice, La., Biloxi, Miss., Pascagoula, Miss., and Pass Christian, Miss. Progress Made in Relief Well Drilling Preparations The Development Driller III, which will dig the first relief well, is lowering the blowout preventer stack and riser. The report depth was nearly 3,000 feet as of 7 p.m. EDT on Friday, May 14. After initial review by MMS, BP revised and resubmitted the Application for Permit to Drill the second relief well, which will be undertaken by the Development Driller II—which is on location and making preparations for initiating the drilling process. Wildlife Hotline Taking Calls The Wildlife Hotline has received a total of 17 calls for birds, fish, marine mammals, and reptiles which have not been confirmed. The Wildlife Rehabilitation Centers in Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida have received wildlife and have been conducting to treatment and rehabilitation. Water Contamination Devices Installed in Everglades A National Park Service crew installed three Semi-Permeable Membrane Devices in the Gulf Coast District of Everglades National Park to detect contamination in the water. Mussel Watch Team is Dispatched A NOAA Mussel Watch team has been sent to the Gulf to collect mussel samples, including oyster tissue, sediments, and water from Atchafalaya Bay, La., west to the Brazos River, Texas. The team has partnered with the Louisiana Department of Fish and Game to collect remaining sites in Louisiana, and will then work with the NMFS Galveston Laboratory to collect sites along the Texas coast. Mussel Watch is the longest continuous contaminant monitoring program in U.S. coastal waters. NOAA Research Ship Re-Deployed to Spill Response The NOAA Ship Gordon Gunter, previously scheduled to conduct plankton research in the Gulf of Mexico, is now providing information for oil spill related research. By the Numbers to Date: Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Legislative Package
The White House May 12, 2010 - The Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is a massive and potentially unprecedented environmental disaster which can seriously damage the economy and environment of our Gulf states and could jeopardize the livelihoods of thousands of Americans who live throughout the Gulf region.
GULF OF MEXICO - Commercial tugboat Janet Colle pressure washes the exterior of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Harry Claiborne of residual oil after a recent oil clean up mission, May 10, 2010. Claiborne is equipped with a Vessel of Opportunity Skimming System to help remove oil from the ocean surface. The U.S. Coast Guard is working in partnership with BP, local residents and other federal agencies to aid in preventing the spread of oil following the April 20 explosion on the mobile offshore drilling unit Deepwater Horizon.
GULF OF MEXICO - Members of Elastec/American Marine Inc. inspect a fire boom containing collected oil prior to conducting a controlled burn in the Gulf of Mexico, May 5, 2010. Controlled burning is being coordinated by the U.S. Coast Guard, BP, and other federal agencies to aid in preventing the spread of oil following the April 20 explosion on the Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit Deepwater Horizon. Air Force to deliver boom to Belle Chase, La. Tuesday, May 11, 2010 - U.S. Air Force C-17 crewmembers, from Elmendorf Air Force Base, Anchorage, Alaska, are scheduled to deliver oil spill containment boom, one of ten shipments scheduled over the coming days, delivering a total of 150,000 feet of boom, to Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base in Belle Chasse, Louisiana, to be used in the protection of the coastline and coastal communities from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. National Park Service, Oil Spill Response In Florida The south Florida national parks continue to carefully monitor response efforts to the oil spill in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Though not an immediate threat, the ongoing movement and spread of oil in the region has the potential to impact the south Florida coast. Park staff from Big Cypress National Preserve, Biscayne National Park, De Soto National Memorial, Dry Tortugas National Park, and Everglades National Park are working in concert to prepare for the potential arrival of oil. The National Park Service is focused on securing the safety of visitors and responders, minimizing the impact of the land-bound oil on park resources, and working closely with local and federal partners until the threat is resolved. Statement By The Press Secretary on BP Oil Spill Response Meeting May 10, 2010 - The Deepwater Horizon explosion and BP oil spill presents us with challenges on a number of fronts – from capping the flow at the well head and containing the spill on the ocean’s surface, to controlling the impact of the oil on the coastal shoreline and on the precious wetlands and fisheries in the area. President Obama remains committed to bringing any and all available resources to the Gulf of Mexico. Earlier today the President met with a number of Cabinet members and senior staff in the White House Situation Room to review BP’s efforts to stop the oil leak as well as to decide on next steps to ensure all is being done to contain the spread, mitigate the environmental impact and provide assistance to affected states, including individuals, businesses, and communities. As we continue to evaluate different options to stop the flow of oil, the President impressed upon his team two things in the meeting today: first, the importance of engaging independent experts in the fields of science and technology; and, second, bringing every perspective to the table to identify potential solutions. The President was pleased to hear that some of Energy Secretary Chu’s ideas have helped us better understand the dimensions of this serious problem and he asked Secretary Chu to lead a team of top administration officials and government scientists to Houston this week for an extensive dialogue with BP officials to continue to aggressively pursue potential solutions. Throughout the week, the President will continue to dispatch additional Cabinet officials to the region. As the President has made clear before, BP will be paying for all costs of stopping the spill and cleaning it up, and we will aggressively pursue full compensation for damages. In addition, to deal more generally with the harms created by oil spills, the President has requested that we send legislation to Congress to toughen and update the law surrounding caps on damages. Louisiana Officials Continue Aggressive Monitoring of Air Quality, Water and Seafood Safety in Response to Oil Spill BATON ROUGE (May 9, 2010) - Officials with the Louisiana departments of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Health and Hospitals (DHH), and Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) are continuing to work together with federal agencies to protect public health and guarantee the safety of Gulf Coast-harvested seafood products. In addition to standard ongoing monitoring of air quality, drinking water and seafood safety, state officials have taken additional steps by increasing testing schedules and instituting additional testing to ensure the oil spill does not adversely impact residents, wildlife or seafood harvested from Louisiana's coastline. The state is also working closely with officials from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to maximize state resources and help reduce duplication of efforts. "Our primary concerns the health and safety of residents near the oil spill, and the safety of anyone who enjoys Louisiana seafood," said DHH Secretary Alan Levine. "We believe this enhanced monitoring will give us the proper baseline of information we need to keep the public safe." Wildlife and Fisheries' biologists are collecting samples as part of the standard fisheries independent sampling program and are taking the additional step of immediately sending them to DHH for further tissue analysis. DWF will continue to monitor Louisiana fisheries to ensure the products are safe for human consumption. "We are aggressively working with our state partners to not only streamline our sampling efforts, but to also ensure the safety of each body of water where fishing is still open," said DWF Secretary Robert Barham. "Our partners at DHH and DEQ are working diligently with our biologists to get the most accurate data, and I commend all their efforts." The state agencies are working closely with the FDA. Once samples are collected, they are transported to a testing facility where portions are tested, and the remainder is frozen for future testing by the FDA. DHH's Molluscan Shellfish Program has continued its stringent, daily sampling across the 8 million acres of Louisiana's Gulf Coast. Oysters already on the market or harvested from areas that have not been closed are safe to eat. DEQ, DHH and DWF have worked together to determine a baseline for acceptable levels of what are known as hydrocarbons, which are found in crude oil. An elevated level of hydrocarbons in seafood tissue is a good indicator of the presence of oil. Seafood is being analyzed to determine normal levels from non-impacted areas of the coastline. This data will serve as the baseline for hydrocarbon levels in our environment before the oil potentially reaches inshore areas. While DEQ has maintained regular air quality testing at its Chalmette and Kenner monitoring stations, DEQ and DHH have requested additional testing from the EPA. There is a full EPA monitoring plan on the DEQ Web site at www.deq.louisiana.gov. A mobile air monitoring van also continues to test in populated areas along the coast for air quality. Air monitoring has not shown unsafe levels of hydrocarbons. In addition to air monitoring and seafood monitoring, DHH's Safe Drinking Water Program continues to operate with a heightened sense of vigilance, and has instituted additional comprehensive water testing in areas that could be vulnerable to contaminants from the oil spill-although the possibility of impact is highly unlikely. Staff is working closely with local officials and water systems to monitor drinking water to ensure the proper emergency systems are in place. Officials are also monitoring water along the coastline through the DHH Beach Monitoring Program. Officials are sampling water along the coast daily and have issued advisories for residents where necessary. CONTROLLED BURN
U.S. Dept. of Defense Thursday 12:57 PM - Gathered concentrated oil burns during a controlled oil fire in the Gulf of Mexico off Venice, La., May 5, 2010. The U.S. Coast Guard, working with BP, local residents and federal agencies, conducted the burn to help prevent the spread of oil following the April 20 explosion on Deepwater Horizon, an offshore drilling unit. CONTAINMENT CHAMBER
U.S. Dept. of Defense - A crewman aboard the motor vessel Joe Griffith secures a pollution containment chamber to the deck as the ship prepares to depart Port Fourchon, La., May 5, 2010. The chamber was designed to cap the oil discharge from the Deepwater Horizon incident. So far the effort to cap the leak has failed, but a relief well being drilled to control the spill is already several thousand feet deep. When finished, the relief well will seal the leak caused by the accident. NOAA Ocean Science Mission Changes Course A NOAA-sponsored ocean mission, set to explore for deep sea corals, has been redirected to collect seafloor and water column data from areas near the Gulf of Mexico oil spill source. Researchers from the National Institute for Undersea Science and Technology (NIUST) on a university research ship to obtain core sediment samples from the seafloor and water samples from the water column in areas near the Deepwater Horizon spill source. The samples are expected to provide important information about the abundance of marine organisms and the presence of chemicals in ocean water and sediments--information for a baseline against which to measure change if those areas are affected by sinking oil. The university fleet research vessel Pelican, operated by the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium, departed Cocodrie, La., late Tuesday and arrived at the spill source on Wednesday. They will return on Sunday for more supplies, and go back to the site later that week. The ship had been outfitted and ready to support a different NOAA-funded mission, but it was scrubbed in favor of gathering timely and much-needed data close to the oil spill source. “This sampling mission is one of many NOAA responses to the oil spill,” acting NOAA assistant administrator for NOAA Research Craig McLean said. “It fills an important gap in researching the interaction of spilled oil and the ocean environment. The samples will help us better understand affected ocean resources.” “We plan to sample as close to the well head as is safe, reasonable and allowable,” said Ray Highsmith, executive director for NIUST and principal investigator for both the original and revised mission. “We then plan to travel northwestward toward our long-term study site.” That study site is about nine miles from the oil spill source and the home of the Gulf of Mexico Consortium’s Methane Hydrate Seafloor Observatory. In the seven years of the observatory’s development, scientists have collected a wealth of geologic, physical, chemical, and biological data describing the area—data that could be important in measuring changes there that stem from the oil spill. With NOAA’s agreement to change missions, scientists and technicians on the ship and ashore worked quickly to adjust staffing and resources. The research team brought aboard a large box corer used to take seafloor sediment samples and installed a large reel of cable to allow the corer to operate at depths equal to the spill source at 5,000 feet. An instrument called a CTD (Conductivity-Temperature-Depth) will measure the water’s conductivity, temperature, density and oxygen concentration at various water column depths, while bottles on the CTD obtain water samples. Before the ship departed, Chief Scientist Arne Diercks and scientists and crewmembers received Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response training as required by OSHA for those involved in the clean-up of hazardous substances. Oil is considered a hazardous substance. Based at the University of Mississippi in Oxford and the University of Southern Mississippi at the Stennis Space Center, NIUST is a partnership of the University of Mississippi, University of Southern Mississippi and NOAA, funded by NOAA’s Office of Ocean Exploration and Research. Samples from the mission will be studied by NOAA and by labs at the universities of Georgia and North Carolina and others that are members of the Gulf of Mexico Hydrates Research Consortium. From May 2, 2010 - It is now about nine miles off the coast of southeastern Louisiana...Now, I think the American people are now aware, certainly the folks down in the Gulf are aware, that we're dealing with a massive and potentially unprecedented environmental disaster. The oil that is still leaking from the well could seriously damage the economy and the environment of our Gulf states and it could extend for a long time. It could jeopardize the livelihoods of thousands of Americans who call this place home... full text
The Deepwater Horizon Incident in the Gulf of Mexico
On April 20, 2010, while working on an exploratory well approximately 50 miles southeast of Venice, Louisiana, the semi-submersible drilling rig Deepwater Horizon experienced an explosion and fire. The damaged platform capsized and sank on April 22, 2010. The rig is owned by Transocean and under contract to British Petroleum (BP). The cause of the incident is under investigation. On April 27, 2010, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano launched a full investigation of the Deepwater Horizon incident. The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and the Minerals Management Service (MMS) share jurisdiction for the investigation. The MMS is responsible for investigating incidents associated with exploration, drilling, completion, production, pipeline and decommissioning operations on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). The USCG investigates maritime industry deaths, injuries, property loss, and environmental damage to determine the causes of accidents. The Deepwater Horizon rig contained an estimated 700,000 gallons of fuel before it sank. Officials estimate that the amount of oil leaking into the Gulf of Mexico has increased to as much as 5,000 barrels a day, five times more than what was initially believed. The government and the commercial parties involved are continuing their efforts to contain and disperse the spill. On April 29, 2010, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal issued a state declaration of emergency in preparation for the potential impact of the oil spill on Louisiana's coast. Governor Jindal also requested that the Louisiana National Guard be utilized to support the oil spill response efforts. On April 30, 2010, Florida Governor Charlie Crist declared of a state of emergency in the Panhandle coastal counties of Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Bay, and Gulf. At a White House briefing on April 29, Secretary Napolitano designated the leak a Spill of National Significance (SONS). A SONS is defined as "a spill that, due to its severity, size, location, actual or potential impact on the public health and welfare or the environment, or the necessary response effort, is so complex that it requires extraordinary coordination of federal, state, local, and responsible party resources to contain and clean up the discharge," and allows greater federal involvement. NOAA Closes Commercial and Recreational Fishing in Oil-Affected Portion of Gulf of Mexico
May 2, 2010 - NOAA is restricting 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 (map attached). The closure is effective immediately. Details can be found here: http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/. Fishermen who wish to contact BP about a claim should call 800-440-0858. “NOAA scientists are on the ground in the area of the oil spill taking water and seafood samples in an effort to ensure the safety of the seafood and fishing activities,” said Dr. Jane Lubchenco, NOAA Administrator, who met with more than 100 fishermen in Louisiana's Plaquemines Parish on Friday night. “I heard the concerns of the Plaquemines Parish fishermen as well other fishermen and state fishery managers about potential economic impacts of a closure. Balancing economic and health concerns, this order closes just those areas that are affected by oil. There should be no health risk in seafood currently in the marketplace.” “We stand with America's fisherman, their families and businesses in impacted coastal communities during this very challenging time. Fishing is vital to our economy and our quality of life and we will work tirelessly to protect it," said Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke. NOAA is a bureau of the U.S. Department of Commerce. The federal and state governments have strong systems in place to test and monitor seafood safety and to prohibit harvesting from affected areas and keeping oiled products out of the marketplace. NOAA Fisheries is working closely with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the States to ensure seafood safety, by assessing whether seafood is tainted or contaminated to levels that pose a risk to human health. “There are finfish, crabs, oysters and shrimp in the Gulf of Mexico near the area of the oil spill,” said Roy Crabtree, NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Administrator. “The Gulf is such an important biologic and economic area in terms of seafood production and recreational fishing.” According to NOAA, there are 3.2 million recreational fishermen in the Gulf of Mexico region who took 24 million fishing trips in 2008. Commercial fishermen in the Gulf harvested more than 1 billion pounds of finfish and shellfish in 2008. NOAA is working with the state governors to evaluate the need to declare a fisheries disaster in order to facilitate federal aid to fishermen in these areas. NOAA fisheries representatives in the region will be meeting with fishermen this week to assist them. The states of Louisiana and Mississippi have requested NOAA to declare a federal fisheries disaster. BP will be hiring fishermen to help clean up from the spill and deploy boom in the Gulf of Mexico. Interested fishermen should call 425-745-8017. NOAA will continue to evaluate the need for fisheries closures based on the evolving nature of the spill and will re-open the fisheries as appropriate. NOAA will also re-evaluate the closure areas as new information that would change the dimension of these closed areas becomes available. UPDATE: Deepwater Horizon Incident MOBILE, Ala. — The response to the Deepwater Horizon incident continues with limited operations due to inclement weather. Operations are scheduled to resume Sunday weather permitting. The National Response Team (NRT), an organization of 16 federal departments and agencies responsible for coordinating emergency preparedness and response to oil and hazardous substance pollution incidents was quickly activated and a coordinated group of federal partners-including the United States Coast Guard, Departments of Homeland Security, Commerce, Interior and the Environmental Protection Agency-immediately began directing and overseeing BP's response. Coastal protection and booming operations under the direction of the Unified Command Mobile are ongoing, actively deploying as rapidly as possible as part of the strategic plan across Mississippi, Alabama and the Florida panhandle, Unified Command Mobile said today. The protective measures are targeting the barrier islands and prioritized environmentally sensitive areas. Additional areas will be designated for booming as trajectories are updated each day. Overall, the combined response has deployed 275,580 feet of boom, staged 316,470 feet, and has on order an additional 250,000 feet. "The Unified Command is working diligently to ensure that all possible resources are being employed in the response to the oil spill," said Coast Guard Capt. Steven Poulin, commander of Coast Guard Sector Mobile. To date, more than 60,000 feet of boom have been placed along the Mississippi, Alabama, and the Florida panhandle coastline. The boom deployment operations will continue as aggressively and as rapidly as possible with all boom being used and staged for deployment to maximize the protection of coastal shorelines. The specific locations where boom is deployed are: The Unified Command is using the Alabama, Mississippi and Northwest Florida Area Contingency Plan as a guide to respond to the oil spill and focus response resources. The ACP is a comprehensive plan developed in conjunction with the federal, state and local agencies to coordinate tactics for just this type of catastrophe. The ACP is updated yearly to include new technology and points of contact. To view the Area Contingency Plan for the Alabama, Mississippi and Northwest Florida Contingency Plan click here. The Unified Command in response to the incident, and a Joint Information Center to provide information on the response, also have been established at the Outlaw Convention Center in Mobile. Other contact numbers of importance are: Volunteers 1-866-448-5816 Claims 1-800-440-0858 Alabama Statewide Volunteer number 2-1-1 Soiled Wildlife 1-866-557-1401 National Response Center 1-800-424-8802 Community Information 281-366-5511
DATE: April 30, 2010 19:03:40 CST Statement on National Guard mobilization ***CORRECTED*** "In response to the BP oil spill, the Secretary of Defense is authorizing under Title 32 the mobilization of the Louisiana National Guard to help in the ongoing efforts to assist local communities in the cleanup and removal of oil and to protect critical habitats from contamination. As the responsible party in this incident, the government will hold BP accountable for the costs of the deployment." DATE: April 27, 2010 10:58:39 CST UPDATE 10 - Deepwater horizon incident update Unified Command continues with a comprehensive oil well intervention and spill response plan following the April 22 sinking of the Transocean Deepwater Horizon drilling rig 130 miles southeast of New Orleans. More than 1,000 personnel are involved in the response effort both on and offshore with additional resources being mobilized as needed. Incident Facts: An overflight on Monday, April 26 at 1:30 PM CST determined there was a 600-mile circumference rainbow sheen with areas of emulsified crude approximately 36 miles offshore the coast of Louisiana. More than 29,280 feet of boom (barrier) has been assigned to contain the spill. An additional 80,900 feet is available and 36,100 feet has been ordered. To date, the oil spill response team has recovered 1,152 barrels (43,384 gallons) of an oil-water mix. Vessels are in place and continuing recovery operations. 49 response vessels are being used including skimmers, tugs, barges, and recovery vessels. 29,140 gallons of dispersant have been deployed and an additional 119,734 gallons are available. Five staging areas are in place and ready to protect sensitive shorelines. These areas include: Biloxi, Miss., Pensacola, Fla. Venice, La., Pascagoula, Miss. and Theodore, Ala. 126 people were on the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig when the incident occurred. 11 remain unaccounted for; 17 were injured, 3 of them critically. 1 injured person remains in the hospital. To report oiled or injured wildlife, please call 1-800-557-1401. First oiled bird is recovered Being treated by BP contractor NEW ORLEANSDATE: April 30, 2010 22:33:36 CST — One oiled northern gannet, a seabird, has been captured Friday by contactors in the spill area in the gulf, and is being treated by Tristate Bird Rescue and Research, which has been contracted by BP to rehabilitate wildlife. The bird was recovered in the oil slick area by contractors and delivered to the treatment facility in Venice, La. It is in stable condition and may be eligible for release in about 10 days. BP is working with multiple oiled wildlife response organizations and local agencies to insure that all oiled wildlife receive quality care. A northern gannet is a native, fish-eating, diving bird, which winters here and migrates to Newfoundland in the summer. When oiled birds arrive at the treatment facility, that has been set up just for this purpose, it receives a full physical including blood values, weight, and a thorough examination of the extent of oiling. Many oiled birds are dehydrated, so are generally given an IV and oral hydration. The birds rest for 12-24 hours. When it meets medical criteria it is washed with Dawn detergent. It takes up to four people and up to 45 minutes to wash a large bird. Up to 300 gallons per bird are needed for the cleaning process. All wastewater is controlled and disposed of in accordance with regulations. Cleaned birds are allowed to recover and preen until waterproof, and meeting release criteria. Before release, federal and state wildlife agencies help determine the best locations to release the birds. Federal bird bands are applied to each released bird. The public is advised not to attempt to rescue oiled or injured birds or wildlife. Doing so can cause more harm than good. If oiled wildlife are found, call the Oiled Wildlife hotline established by BP at (866) 557-1401. From The Department of the Interior
Release: Robert, La. -- As part of the federal government’s coordinated oversight and support of BP’s response to its spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the Department of the Interior will establish a new Outer Continental Shelf Safety Board, conduct a full review of offshore drilling safety and technology issues, and further tighten oversight of industry equipment testing Ken Salazar announced. FWC assists with oil spill response
April 29, 2010 - The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) heard a report on the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico from Gil McRae, director of the FWC's Fish and Wildlife Research Institute on Thursday. "The FWC has a long history of working with our partners in preparing a response to oil spills," McRae said. "The FWC has helped prepare the Coast Guard's area contingency plan, which guides response efforts." FWC staff has been deployed to Pensacola and Mobile, Ala., to assist with spill-tracking, and law enforcement stands ready to deploy. "The slick is growing, and its movements depend on the currents and the winds," McRae said. "We're preparing for the worst and hoping it won't get to that point." McRae indicated that no reports of ill effects on wildlife have been substantiated by the FWC, but based on current reports on the size of the spill, this could be a "prolonged event," McRae said. The FWC is working with NOAA and the Coast Guard and taking direction in Florida from the lead agency, the Department of Environmental Protection. "I commend Gov. (Charlie) Crist for his proactive action on this spill. This accident may have serious impacts on the areas where our fish and wildlife spawn, whether the oil reaches our shores or not, and we are very concerned," said FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto. "We stand ready to do whatever we need to do to protect the resources of Florida." Big Sale Amazon Movies & TV is pleased to announce our Spotlight Deals Event which will run from April 27 through May 24, 2010, while supplies last. This event will feature select DVDs and Blu-ray discs with savings of up to 58% off, including: 
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