Size: 68,796,000 gallons (63 days)
Note: Surfrider’s estimate of the spill volume is based on a rate of 26,000 barrels per day. The most recent estimate of the continuing rate of the oil gusher is between 35,000 and 60,000 barrels per day (1,470,000 to 2,520,000 gallons per day). If the release has been at that rate since Day 1, the total volume of oil released is now between and 93 and 159 million gallons.
NOAA’s new GeoPlatform.gov/gulfresponse online tool provides nearshore and offshore “spill trajectory estimates” for the current oil plume and the next two days. This view shows the current plume, the location of “beached oil” and surface water currents.
State of Efforts to Stop Flow
BP’s “top hat” containment system is believed to be collecting in excess of 15,000 barrels of oil per day, although substantial amounts of oil are still escaping through vent valves on the containment dome. BP has been ordered to step up their efforts to capture more of the oil. Their latest response letter (also discussed here) details plans to collect 40,000-53,000 barrels per day of oil by June 30. On June 16, BP began collecting crude oil from a second containment system that is attached directly with pipes and other equipment to the failed blowout preventer. That equipment had already been installed for the failed “top kill” effort weeks ago. The oil is transferred to a ship, the Q4000, which will then clean and burn the oil and gas mixture in a processing device called an EverGreen burner.
Meanwhile, BP continues to drill two “relief wells” that are intended to intercept the blown-out well at a depth of about 16,000 feet. Drilling mud and cement would then be pumped into the well to seal it. The wells will take at least two more months to drill. Read more.
Ecological Damage
The GeoPlatform.gov/gulfresponse online tool can be configured to show the confirmed dolphin and sea turtle strandings as well as the fishery closure area.
The Daily Dead Wildlife Tally shows the current number of birds, sea turtles and marine mammals that have been found dead in the oil spill area.
Volunteer Response Resources
Surfrider volunteer oil spill toolkit
Volunteer Phone numbers: (state-specific contact information below)
Deepwater Horizon Incident Volunteer Hotline: 866-448-5816
Vessel of Opportunities Program - Fishermen should phone 425-745-8017
Fact sheets related to oil spills in general and this spill:
http://www.piersystem.com/go/doctype/2931/53023/
http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/deepwaterhorizon
http://gulfseagrant.tamu.edu/oilspill/index.htm
http://www.eoearth.org/article/Deepwater_Horizon_oil_spill
Official Response Resources
Deepwater Horizon Response
Twitter: http://twitter.com/usnoaagov
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/usnoaagov
Podcasts: http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/podcast.html
NOAA Roles and Tools:
http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/topics/oceans/spills/
EPA: http://www.epa.gov/bpspill/
Phone numbers:
NOAA media inquiries: keeley.belva@noaa.gov or 301-713-3066
For response inquiries: Joint Information Center (JIC) at 985-902-5231 or 985-902-5240
BP Horizon Response Hotline: 281-366-5511
To report oil, or general Community and Volunteer Information: 866-448-5816
To report oiled or injured wildlife: 866-557-1401
Coast Guard officials say not to pick up any tar balls you find and to report them at (800) 424-8802
Florida Specific Volunteer Information:
Oil spill related clean up:
http://www.volunteerfloridadisaster.org/
Opportunities will be posted as they become available.
If you live in these areas and want to help:
Okaloosa County call: 850-651-7150
Bay County call: 763-6587
Walton County: go to http://www.waltonso.org/
Florida Palm Beach/Treasure Coast area volunteers can email Surfrider's Florida Regional Manager Ericka D'avanzo: edavanzo@surfrider.org
Experts to discuss 'Science of the Spill' at forum, Wednesday, June 23 in Pensacola http://escambia.ifas.ufl.edu/!pdf/OIL%20SPILL%20PUBLIC%20FORUM.pdf
Florida Gulf Recovery Jobs
http://gulfrecoveryjobs.employflorida.com/portals/gulfrecoveryjobs/
- Have the homeowners contact 1-866-448-5816 and someone will be sent out to retrieve the oiled materials.
- Emerald County Utilities Authority (ECUA) will provide several 55 gallon drums at certain walk crossovers on Pensacola Beach. They will be marked for oil debris only. BP/ Waste Management will be responsible for all collection and disposal. ECUA has provided the containers at no charge to help with the response. They will be placed next week.
DEP Related Media Questions: Amy Graham at 850-245-2112 or -2113
Florida Emergency Information Line: 800-342-3557
Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) incident response website: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/deepwaterhorizon/default.htm
Resources in Other Gulf States:
Louisiana: http://www.volunteerlouisiana.gov/
Mississippi:
http://www.volunteermississippi.org/1800Vol/OpenIndexAction.do
Alabama: http://www.servealabama.gov/2010/default.aspx
Also see:
Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana
Galveston Bay Foundation
Mississippi Department of Marine Resources - (228) 374-5000
Mobile Bay National Estuary Program
Restore America’s Estuaries
Save Our Gulf
National Audubon Society
More Information & Call to Action
Help us track oil spill impacts at: http://oilspill.skytruth.org/
Urge Obama and Congress to ban new drilling:
http://www.surfrider.org/nodrilling
Participate in the Hands Across the Sand event this Saturday June 26th. Over 600 locations in nearly every state and around the world!
State Action Alert for Special Session (FL Only) – Our legislators are holding up Gov. Crist's request for a special session to make oil drilling a 2010 ballet item.
Walk your beaches daily to ensure no garbage or plastic debris is present. Do not disturb bird nesting areas!
Join the Surfrider Foundation: http://www.surfrider.org/join
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