Gulf Oil Spill Information
Check sampling data from University of West Florida, CEDB: http://uwf.edu/cedb/Oil%20Spill.cfm
Check air quality from DEP here: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/deepwaterhorizon/air.htm
Check water quality from DEP here: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/deepwaterhorizon/water.htm
For updates on the Gulf Waterkeepers’ response visit: www.saveourgulf.org
To report oiled wildlife, call 1-866-557-1401
To discuss oil related damage, call 1-800-440-0858
To make your boat available to assist with the response, call 1-281-366-5511
To report oiled shoreline or request volunteer information, call 1-866-448-5816
Or call the Florida State Emergency Information line at 1-800-342-3557
WHERE IS THE OIL?
Folks, the oil has NOT magically disappeared. The truth is we know that roughly 25% was skimmed, burned and/or recovered. That leaves 3.75 million barrels (or 165 million gallons) of oil yet to be removed. Let us not forget to add the nearly 2 million gallons of dispersant. Approximately 25% remains as it was spilled and the other ~50% has been dissolved, broken down into other forms and dispersed INTO the Gulf. How much will be removed by oil eating microbes has yet to be determined, along with how long sunken oil will continue to wash up on our shores.
YOUR HEALTH AND SAFETY
For information on the health impacts associated with the oil spill, visit the CDC Emergency website.
DEBATE ON DISPERSANTS
Nearly 2 MILLION gallons of total dispersant have been deployed—on the surface and beneath the surface (that we know of). The dispersant in use is Corexit, a product that is banned from use in the United Kingdom due to toxicity. The EPA issued a directive instructing BP to seek less toxic alternatives, but the oil company responded (legally) with a no thanks. BP also disputed EPA’s toxicity assessment, an assessment which EPA is now disputing itself. For more information on dispersants, how they work, and potential risks, see the Dispersants Guided Tour on the NOAA Emergency Response website.
FLORIDA‘S STANCE ON OFF-SHORE DRILLING
Many local governments have adopted resolutions banning offshore drilling. Does your community oppose drilling? Find out at Protect Florida’s Beaches
You can also urge the State of Florida to PERMANENTLY ban offshore drilling with a constitutional amendment by signing this petition: registered Florida voters only!
