Not the Answer

Senate Says, "More Oil Please"

2011-08-05T10:06:00.000-07:00

On July 21, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee passed S.916, a bill to amend the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act of 1953. The stated purpose of the bill is to facilitate oil and gas development on federal lands and waters and "reduce our dependence on foreign oil and gas." The bill would: 1) provide an $850 million subsidy to the oil and gas industry over the next ten years to conduct seismic surveys on the Outer Continental Shelf (“OCS”); 2) phase-out royalty relief for future leases; and 3) strengthen support for an Alaskan pipeline to carry natural gas to the lower 48 states.

It is unclear how the government subsidy for seismic surveys will further the stated purpose of the bill. The industry has not, in the past, seemed reticent to fund and carry out the surveys themselves. There does not seem to be any reason for the government (i.e. taxpayers) to absorb costs that are willingly borne by the industry.

Phasing out the royalty-relief program for OCS leases is a more logical policy. Royalty relief , initiated in 1995, allows oil and gas companies to delay royalty payments on their leases until certain production quotas have been met. The program was originally designed to encourage domestic energy production at a time when oil prices were low. Although the program made little sense even then, it makes no sense now, when oil prices are at record-highs. Given the current state of the federal government’s finances, getting rid of royalty relief and pocketing the increased royalties seems like good policy. However, there are two possible downsides to this scheme that also apply to royalties generally. First, the prospect of increased revenue may make the federal government more eager to grant leases, and less concerned with its proper regulatory function. Second, the scheme makes offshore drilling a larger and steadier source of revenue for the government, and may make the government less apt to focus on renewables.

The final major topic of the bill is a natural gas pipeline between the North Slope of Alaska and the Midwest. The bill increases the federal loan guarantee for a pipeline from $18 million to $30 million and secures a right of way through Denali National Park. Besides the obvious problems inherent in constructing a massive infrastructure project through a pristine wilderness area, there are also concerns that the pipeline will lead to increased greenhouse gas emissions. Natural gas is the cleanest fossil fuel, but the natural gas transported in this pipeline may be diverted to Alberta and used to power extraction of the dirtiest fossil fuel—tar sands oil. Over its life cycle, tar sands oil leads to 10-45% more greenhouse gas emissions than conventional crude.

The same day it passed S.916, the Senate Committee failed to pass S.917, a bill originally designed to make offshore drilling safer. Disputes over S.917 arose over its revenue sharing provisions. The Committee could not come to an agreement on whether and to what extent adjoining coastal states should be entitled to OCS royalties. One potential problem with states sharing the revenue is that they would then push for more offshore drilling. Under the OCSLA, states are entitled to participate in drilling planning and policy.

by Natasha Bhushan

CNN Ireporter Coverage of Surfrider's Recent Dive for Oil off of Gulf Coast

2011-07-28T08:26:00.000-07:00

Surfrider's Emerald Coast Chapter participated in a joint effort scuba assessments on July 12th 2011. The Florida panhandle shallow seafloor sediment shows signs of the possible presence of dispersed oil.

A team of research divers scoured the Florida panhandle looking for signs of BP oil. What they did find was a desolate seafloor, with few signs of life. The sand should be tan or white and look like a desert floor with ripples and ridges of tan sand.

Marine life should be attracted to the disturbance of bottom sediments, with small fish darting into the cloud of silt and crabs scurrying away to bury themselves in hiding. Rays and starfish should be abundant. What they filmed was a scene of dark desolate bottom sediment where dark sediment ejected from the animal burrows sat in piles of contrasting colors. Could it be due to contamination from the BP oil spill?

One of the divers who has been researching the DWH disaster for the past year was alarmed by the lack of living things in the northwest Florida waters. Another diver, an environmental scientist, was shocked by the absence of bait fish during the 6 dives. As the dives progressed from east to west, the sediment conditions deteriorated considerably.

The sediment samples have been sent to a certified lab for chemical analysis and results will be back within a month. That's when we will know definitely what is lurking off the shores of the Florida panhandle.

In the meantime, ask your local representatives why BP isn't doing this kind of research to assure safety for the children and animals along the Gulf coast.

http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-637109

Additional in response to this effort the USCG, FEMA and BP finally met yesterday in Pensacola, to discuss the possibility of oil hitting our shores during a hurricane or major storm.

http://www.wkrg.com/gulf_oil_spill/article/wyyyy/1208524/Jul-27-2011_11-36-pm/

Not the Answer Has Moved!

2011-04-27T10:06:00.000-07:00

Not the Answer has moved to a new Location. Please visit us at http://www.nottheanswer.org for all the latest.

Environmental Groups Oppose Bad Offshore Drilling Bills

2011-04-12T15:50:00.000-07:00

Today Surfrider Foundation and 48 other environmental organizations submitted a letter to Chairman Doc Hastings and Member Edward Markey of the Natural Resources Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives, opposing H.R.1229, the Putting the Gulf of Mexico Back to Work Act; H.R.1230, the Restarting American Offshore Leasing Now Act; and H.R.1231, the Reversing President Obama's Offshore Moratorium Act. Here is the text of that letter:

Dear Chairman Hastings and Ranking Member Markey:

On behalf of our millions of members we are writing in opposition to H.R.1229, the Putting the Gulf of Mexico Back to Work Act; H.R.1230, the Restarting American Offshore Leasing Now Act; and H.R.1231, the Reversing President Obama's Offshore Moratorium Act. At a time when Congress should be addressing the systemic failures that led to the BP disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, these pieces of legislation irresponsibly accelerate the very processes that led to the largest environmental disaster in our nation’s history, short‐cutting environmental safeguards and putting workers and coastal communities at greater risk.

Oil spills like the BP Gulf oil disaster not only threaten ocean and coastal ecosystems, but the economies and communities that rely on them. Hundreds of thousands of jobs in fisheries, tourism, and recreation rely on healthy coastal and marine environments. In the Gulf alone, fishing and tourism bring $57 billion in sales and support over 830,000 jobs.

The bi‐partisan National Oil Spill Commission called for systemic reform in the oversight and environmental regulation of our oil and gas development process, saying that industry and political pressure had led to production being prioritized over protection of human health and the environment. Yet, each of these three bills irresponsibly prioritizes development and production at the cost of safety, science and the environment.

These pieces of legislation force decisions on drilling permits on arbitrary deadlines, and further undermine regulatory oversight. They eliminate meaningful analyses of potential environmental consequences, and force decisions based on production goals, rather than on science and the careful consideration of potential risks.

H.R. 1229 forces Secretarial consideration of drilling permits on a rushed and arbitrary timeline, and would automatically grant approval of permits if the Secretary fails to meet the deadline. H.R. 1230 denies the Department of the Interior the opportunity to conduct thorough and site specific environmental analyses and denies the public an opportunity to participate by forcing lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico and off the Coast of Virginia on a rushed timeline.

H.R. 1231 would force Interior to offer for lease sweeping areas of the outer continental shelf off the east and west coast, in the Arctic and Bristol Bay. It would require a doubling of current production without regard for other ocean values. This would not only open up vast new areas to oil and gas drilling without proper analysis of environmental risks, but again would incentivize production over safety. HR 1231 would also force taxpayers to foot half the bill for certain oil and gas exploration costs.

In our current fiscal climate, oil and gas companies, some of the richest corporations on the planet, do not need yet another subsidy. There are better ways to provide stability for consumers and cut our nation’s oil dependence. Despite claims to the contrary, more ocean drilling will not lead to lower gas prices. The only real solution to protect consumers from high and volatile gas prices is to reduce our oil dependency through more efficient cars and trucks, clean fuels, and transportation choices such as commuter rail.

By 2030, efficiency and other oil savings measures can save a total of 8 times more oil than opening new areas to drilling off America’s shores or in protected sensitive areas. Furthermore, ending tax loopholes and government handouts for Big Oil, and investing one cent per dollar of oil companies profit into ultraclean vehicle research and development, could help lower oil demand and reduce our nation’s dependence on foreign oil.

A year after the BP Gulf oil disaster, oil is still coming ashore. There is much work to do to restore the Gulf of Mexico and ensure that the jobs and economies that depend on a healthy ecosystem are sustained. These bills not only fail to address the lessons learned from the BP disaster, they double down on the strategies and flawed approach that led to the disaster in the first place. Instead, Congress should be working to implement the recommendations of the National Oil Spill Commission; ensure full restoration of the Gulf of Mexico; and promote a clean energy strategy to reduce oil demand.

My Congress Went Drilling And All I Got Was A Lousy 3¢

2011-04-01T17:10:00.001-07:00

Summer is approaching and gas prices are climbing towards (and in some cases over) $4 per gallon. Must be time for the renewed calls for more domestic oil drilling. The problem is that domestic drilling will not reduce the price at the pump. Actually, that is a lie. It will reduce the price at the pump by $0.03 per gallon - yes, you read that right - 3¢ per gallon.

According to the US Energy Information Administration, if we drill ALL of our accessible oil in the Outer Continental Shelf, it will reduce the price at the pump by 3¢ per gallon by 2030. So in 19 years you'll reap the 3¢ per gallon benefit at the gas station. You can read the report here.

You can also read a more detailed and eloquent discussion on high oil and gasoline prices by Senator Jeff Bingaman who chairs the US Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources here.

New Bills Introduced to Expand Offshore Drilling

2011-03-30T15:28:00.000-07:00

On March 29, three different bills were introduced in Congress by Rep. Doc Hastings (WA) that would expand offshore drilling in the United States. These include the Reversing President Obama's Offshore Moratorium Act which would overturn Obama's recent decision to protect the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, eastern Gulf of Mexico, and Alaska's Bristol Bay from drilling through 2017

If you haven't already, please participate in Surfrider's Action Alert in support of the No New Drilling Act and forward to others in your network. This is the easiest way to communicate to your federal representative that you oppose new drilling off our coasts.

There is also a public comment opportunity open through March 31 on the 2012-2017 OCS Oil & Gas Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) scoping process. Surfrider is submitting comments as an organization, but we encourage individuals to do so, as well. See suggested talking points below.

Suggested Talking Points:
1. We support the Obama Administration’s recent decision to defer new offshore drilling in the Atlantic, Pacific, near Florida’s Gulf Coast, and in Alaska’s Bristol Bay until at least 2017. It’s critical we protect areas that have not been exposed to the risky practice of drilling--not only for the sake of the environment, but also to protect our economy from potential spills.
2. The Oil Spill Commission and the Obama administration have worked to ensure the oil industry is safer and more environmentally sensitive. We greatly appreciate these efforts, and we want to stress that the safest drilling is no drilling. We should work to protect our coasts permanently by reducing our oil dependence while transitioning to sustainable forms of energy.
3. Please consider not approving new leases in the Gulf of Mexico and the Arctic until after Congress adopts the recommendations of the Oil Spill Commission (see above for important points).
4. For future oil exploration, please consider the harmful environmental impacts of seismic surveying; and equally consider alternatives to seismic testing that will exist in the near future

Top House Republican to offer drilling bill

2011-03-17T05:39:00.000-07:00

By Andrew Restuccia - 03/16/11 12:33 PM ET

House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (R-Wash.) said Wednesday he will introduce energy legislation to speed up oil-and-gas drilling in the Gulf of Mexico and open other offshore regions to drilling as well.

Hastings held a hearing Wednesday on the Obama administration’s offshore drilling policies. It’s the first in a series of hearings on offshore drilling and gas prices -- issues that have moved up on the Capitol Hill agenda as turmoil in the Middle East and North Africa have driven up energy costs.

“Let me state very clearly that these hearings will lead to action by this Committee,” Hastings said. “As Chairman, I intend to introduce legislation to put the Gulf of Mexico back to work – and I intend to advance that legislation through this Committee. The Obama Administration seems unmoved by thousands of lost jobs, rapidly rising gasoline prices, and the threat these high prices pose to our economy – but this Committee will not sit idly by.”
While Hastings' comment is light on details, it nonetheless signifies that he is readying a legislative push after spending weeks deflecting questions about his specific plans.

To read more click here

Who Has the Oil?

2011-03-15T17:20:00.000-07:00

This graphic (click on it to expand) is from an article The GOP’s Oil Drilling Pipe Dream appearing in Frum Forum. The article states: "The notion that the U.S., which sits atop less than 3 percent of the world’s proven oil reserves, can drill enough oil to drive down prices if the flow is interrupted from a region with 64 percent of the world’s reserves is a pipedream."

Surfrider Activist Witnesses Baby Dolphin Deaths.

2011-03-01T12:58:00.000-08:00

Photo: Chuck Barnes

Surfrider Foundation predicted there would be long-term ecological impacts from the BP spill. We wrote an article last fall predicting what would happen, but we had no idea there would be such a high rate of mortality among marine life several months after the spill. By now, we have all heard about dead baby dolphins washing up along the Gulf at ten times the normal rate. Scientists say the gestation period for dolphins is 11 months, meaning calves born now would have been exposed to oil and dispersants during the spill and while in the womb.

Apparently the federal government is testing the dead animals to determine the cause of death, and the results will be made public in a few weeks. Here is a video and article about the deaths.

One of our "on the ground activists", Chuck, runs a blog about what is happening the Gulf post spill. He recently posted some pictures he took. It is absolutely heartbreaking...however, we thank Chuck for being vigilant and documenting what is happening in the Gulf.

Spike in baby dolphins deaths in the Gulf

2011-02-24T04:56:00.000-08:00

Baby dolphins, some barely three feet in length, are washing up along the Mississippi and Alabama shorelines at about 10 times the normal number for the first two months of the year, researchers are finding.

As now February 17th, seventeen young dolphins, either aborted before they reached maturity or dead soon after birth, have been collected on the coasts of the states in the past two weeks, both on the barrier islands and mainland beaches.

This is the first birthing season for dolphins since the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico; however, Moby Solangi, director of the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies in Gulfport, said it’s too early to tell why they died.

Today the count is up to 24 stillborn or infant calves that have washed ashore in the two states.

What’s happening here falls under the formal designation of an Unusual Mortality Event, which requires special scrutiny by a panel of scientists and experts, and gives high priority to samples collected.

But scientists caution about jumping to conclusions because a number of factors can cause dolphin deaths.

We'll be keep our eye on this story as it develops. Stay tuned.

Read more:

17 Dead Baby Dolphins found in Gulf waters

Spike Reported in number of stillborn dolphins on coast

Fourth baby dolphin found dead on Horn Island

Baby Dolphin Deaths get fed's attention

Federal Legislation Update

2011-02-23T18:56:00.000-08:00

A number of bills have been introduced in Congress this session that would restrict or ban new offshore drilling or improve the regulation, safety, and oversight of drilling activities.

The strongest of these is the NO NEW DRILLING ACT (HR 261), which would ban all new offshore drilling in the United States. For more info on HR 261 and to participate in the Action Alert, please click here.

Some additional bills on offshore drilling are summarized below. We encourage you to call your congressman to ask him/ her to support the No New Drilling Act and other bills that will protect our coasts from offshore drilling.

WEST COAST OCEAN PROTECTION ACT (H.R. 612)
Representative Garamendi (D-CA) introduced the West Coast Ocean Protection Act of 2011 (H.R. 612) to amend the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to permanently prohibit the conduct of offshore drilling on the outer Continental Shelf off the coast of California, Oregon, and Washington.

OIL SPILL COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS ACT (H.R. 501)
Representative Edward Markey (D-MA) introduced H.R. 501 to provide for the implementation of the recommendations of the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling. The bill also includes elements from the oil spill response bill that the House passed in July of 2010.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA OCEAN & COASTAL PROTECTION ACT (HR 204)
Congressman Mike Thompson (D-North Coast) reintroduced legislation that would permanently prohibit oil and gas drilling off the coasts of Mendocino, Humboldt and Del Norte Counties to protect the unique and dynamic marine environment along the northern coast of California.

BIG OIL BAILOUT PREVENTION ACT (HR 492)
Representative Holt (D-NJ) introduced the Big Oil Bailout Prevention Act of 2011 (H.R. 492) to amend the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to require responsible parties to pay the full cost of offshore oil spills, and for other purposes. (1/26/11). Senator Menendez (D-NJ) introduced a similar version in the Senate: Big Oil Bailout Prevention Unlimited Liability Act of 2011 (S. 214)

BIG OIL BAILOUT PREVENTION TRUST FUND ACT (S 215)
Senator Menendez (D-NJ) introduced the Big Oil Bailout Prevention Trust Fund Act of 2011 (S. 215) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to require oil polluters to pay the full cost of oil spills, and for other purposes. (1/27/11).

RESOURCES OF OIL SPILL RESEARCH & PREVENTION ACT (S. 204)
Senator Begich (D-AK) introduced the Resources of Oil Spill Research and Prevention Act (S. 204) to amend the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to permit funds in the Oil Spill Liability Trust to be used by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Coast Guard, and other Federal agencies for certain research, prevention, and response capabilities with respect to discharges of oil, for environmental studies, and for grant programs to communities affected by oil spills on the outer Continental Shelf, and to provide funding for such uses and for other purposes.

Lot of Talk, Little Action in Coastal Oil Spill Cleanup

2011-02-22T11:31:00.000-08:00

WKRG.com News

More frustration on the gulf coast tonight as we have few answers about what coastal communities see as major issues in their recovery from the BP oil spill. There were a lot of high hopes for a work session but in the end it seems like there are only more frustrations.

Part of a tar mat taken out of the surf of West Beach lies on the front table of the council chambers in Orange Beach. It is what so many are concerned with along the gulf coast.

Federal incident commander and Coast Guard Captain James Hanzalik has seen it before. "I've been doing oil spills for 25 years. It's not surprising that you may see something like this especially the large volume of oil that was spilled. It's historic."

It's one of the issues that state and local leaders from Alabama and Florida hoped would be addressed during a working session with Coast Guard and BP officials according to Orange Beach Mayor Tony Kennon. "Tar mats, they looked at me like a deer in the headlights. They did not acknowledge there was any tar mats out there. They told me to call them if I found one."

Read more...

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) to Hold Hearings on New Leasing Plan.

2011-02-09T12:41:00.000-08:00

BOEMRE (the agency responsible for making decisions about offshore oil drilling) will be holding public meetings around the country in coming weeks to take public comment on the next "5-year plan" in which they will analyze new drilling leases in the Gulf of Mexico and in the Arctic Ocean.

Fortunately, on Dec 1 2010, the Obama Administration announced a deferment on new offshore drilling in the Atlantic, Pacific, near Florida's Gulf Coast, and in Alaska’s Bristol Bay until at least 2017.

The upcoming meetings are chances to tell BOEMRE we support the Administration's decision to defer drilling; and that no new leases for drilling anywhere should be granted until after the recommendations of the Oil Spill Commission are adopted by Congress. Some of the more important recommendations from the Commission report include:

Requiring better emergency response plans for offshore drilling operations
A stronger regulatory structure is in place to avoid spills.
Ensuring science is used in decision-making about offshore leasing and allowing chief scientists within the Interior Department to oversee leasing decisions
Lengthening the time for review of drilling applications to allow for more thorough assessment of the potential environmental and safety risks of the project.

Below are some sample talking points you can include into your testimony:

We support the Obama Administration’s recent decision to defer new offshore drilling in the Atlantic, Pacific, near Florida’s Gulf Coast, and in Alaska’s Bristol Bay until at least 2017. It’s critical we protect areas that have not been exposed to the risky practice of drilling--not only for the sake of the environment, but also to protect our economy from potential spills.
The Oil Spill Commission and the Obama administration have worked to ensure the oil industry is safer and more environmentally sensitive. We greatly appreciate these efforts, and we want to stress that the safest drilling is no drilling. We should work to protect our coasts permanently by reducing our oil dependence while transitioning to sustainable forms of energy.
Please consider not approving new leases in the Gulf of Mexico and the Arctic until after Congress adopts the recommendations of the Oil Spill Commission (see above for important points).
For future oil exploration, please consider the harmful environmental impacts of seismic surveying; and equally consider alternatives to seismic testing that will exist in the near future.
We want to thank the Administration, Department of Interior, the Oil Spill Commission, and BOEMRE for working to protect our oceans and coasts from devastating impacts of offshore oil drilling. We applaud your efforts to hold the oil and gas industry to higher standards in hopes of preventing another destructive spill like we witnessed with the BP Deepwater Horizon.

Below is a list of meetings near your neighborhood:

Monday, February 14, 2011 at 7:00 pm- Kotzebue Middle-High School, 744 Third Avenue, Kotzebue, Alaska.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011 at 1:00 pm- Houston Airport Marriott at George Bush International, 18700 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Houston, Texas
Tuesday, February 15, 2011 at 7:00 pm: Point Hope School Library, Point Hope, Alaska
Wednesday, February 16, 2011 at 1:00 pm: New Orleans Airport Hilton, 901 Airline Dr., Kenner, Louisiana,
Wednesday, February 16, 2011 at 7:00 pm: Point Lay Community Center, Point Lay, Alaska
Thursday, February 17, 2011 at 1:00pm: Five Rivers-Alabama’s Delta Resource Center, 30945 Five Rivers Blvd., Spanish Fort, Alabama
Thursday, February 17, 2011 at 7:00pm: Alak School Library, Wainwright, Alaska
Monday, February 21, 2011 at 7:00 pm: Inupiat Heritage Center, Barrow, Alaska
Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at 7:00 pm: Nuiqsut Community Center, Nuiqsut, Alaska
Wednesday, February 23, 2011 at 7:00 pm: Kaktovik Community Center, Kaktovik, Alaska
Thursday, February 24, 2011 at 1:00 pm: Washington Dulles Airport Marriott, 45020 Aviation Dr., Dulles, Virginia.
Friday, February 25, 2011 at 7:00 pm: BOEMRE Alaska Region Office, 3801 Centerpoint Dr., Anchorage, Alaska

If you would like additional help with talking points, please email Stefanie at: Ssekich@surfrider.org

Support the No New Drilling Act!

2011-01-25T13:42:00.000-08:00

Congressman Frank Pallone (NJ) has reintroduced the No New Drilling Act (HR 261) which would prohibit new offshore exploration, development, or production of oil and gas. The proposed legislation is currently the ONLY bill in Congress that would ban all new offshore drilling in the United States.

Despite the tragic lessons of the BP spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the No New Drilling Act currently has only modest support in the House with a total of five co-sponsors. If you haven’t already, please participate in the action alert to ask your representatives to protect our oceans and coasts from drilling! Please also call your congressman to ask him/ her to co-sponsor the No New Drilling Act. Calling your representative is the most effective way to have your voice heard and to help advance this legislation.

Finally, in addition to the No New Drilling Act, there are a number of other bills proposed in Congress that would either strengthen regulations and/ or restrict new drilling activities. Please visit the forum on chapternet for more info and discussion.

Thanks for taking action!

Oil Spill Commission Report Finds Systemic Failure

2011-01-11T14:52:00.000-08:00

The President's Oil Spill Commission, who was charged with determining the cause of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill disaster and making recommendations to guard against future oilspills, released their report today.

The report is a scathing indictment of the industry for failing to have adequate response plans in place for rig blow outs and of the government for decades of lax oversight. The report makes it clear that the Deepwater Horizon spill is not an isolated incident, but the result of a systemic failure of the management and oversight of the offshore oil drilling industry.

Further, the report makes clear current practices put us in dire risk of another spill and calls for serious reform of the governments oversight of the oil industry. The report's conclusions can be summarized in three broad categories: managerial foul-ups, systemic failure and regulatory weakness. The report also suggests that the liability cap for oil spills should be dramatically increased and that most of the mitigation funding for the spill go the Gulf for restoration.

A more thorough summary of the recommendations can be found here

The report makes it clear that Obama's decision to prohibit leases in the continental US is a wise decision and is necessary to avoid another spill of this magnitude along our coasts.

See the statement released by Environment America and the Surfrider Foundation here.

More on the Oil Spill Commission and the full report can be found on their official site here.

More stories on the commission report:

Failure in the Gulf

Oil and Gas Journal - Spill panel: More government, industry reforms needed

Panel Spreads Blame For BP Oil Rig Explosion

The Oil Industries Haven't Learned

2010-12-13T09:05:00.000-08:00

The oil industry, its lobbyists and its Congressional allies are predictably furious at the Obama administration’s decision not to allow exploratory oil drilling in the eastern Gulf of Mexico and off the Atlantic coast. The decision was unquestionably the right one.

The industry and its well-paid allies say that delaying drilling will increase America’s dependence on foreign oil. That ignores a simple truth: A nation using one-quarter of the world’s oil while controlling only 3 percent of the world’s known reserves cannot drill its way to independence. The estimated 7.5 billion barrels the eastern gulf and Atlantic coast are thought to contain are just about what this country consumes in a year.

Cartoon: Economics of the ban on drilling in VA

2010-12-12T12:52:00.000-08:00

Attend Stand Lands Commission Hearing and Advocate for the Protection of Santa Monica Bay.

2010-12-06T15:48:00.000-08:00

Chevron's Marine Oil Terminal in Santa Monica Bay is up for lease renewal before State Lands Commission. Chevron is asking for a 30-year lease. Concerned citizens, and environmentalists, (including the Surfrider Foundation) have taken a reasonable stance and are advocating the lease terms be shortened from 30 years to 10 years. We are also advocating that California State Lands Commission (“CSLC”) thoroughly evaluate alternatives for this project and properly identify infrastructure and oil terminal technology that would minimize risks (including a massive oil spill).

An oil spill in Santa Monica Bay is un-mitigatable and would be disastrous to the marine environment, the citizens who live and recreate on Los Angeles County beaches, our local economy and tourism, water quality, and the health of marine life. According to the DEIR, “there is a reasonable possibility that operation of the Marine Terminal offshore loading facilities during the 30-year lease period will cause an oil spill.” Due to the large risk involved with operating a Marine Terminal in Santa Monica Bay this project and its associated EIR should research environmentally superior alternatives as “such an oil spill could significantly affect the physical and biological environments” of Santa Monica Bay.

We have already seen the catastrophic effects of an oil spill earlier this year in the Gulf of Mexico – oil spills happen frequently, and Chevron’s Marine Terminal does not have a perfect record. We cannot underscore the real risk of an oil spill in Santa Monica Bay, and how important it is for the California State Lands Commission (“CSLC”) to thoroughly evaluate alternatives for this project and properly identify infrastructure and oil terminal technology that would minimize the risks.

A shorter lease would allow Chevron to update their oil spill prevention and response plans after lessons have been learned and evaluated from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. In addition, a shorter lease term would also give the CSLC, Chevron, and NOAA the opportunity to better evaluate trends in vessel calls to the Marine Terminal, as well as the environmental impact of any increase in vessel traffic at the Terminal and Santa Monica Bay, especially the impact on marine mammals.

Join us on Dec 10 in asking for a shortened lease.

The meeting starts at 10:00 AM and the item is #47.

http://www.slc.ca.gov/Meeting_Summaries/12-10-10/Agenda.pdf

DEC 10, FRIDAY

PORT OF SAN DIEGO

BOARD ROOM – 1ST FLOOR

3165 PACIFIC HIGHWAY

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA 92101

"All Hands on Deck" Pick up the Phone for the Gulf - Tuesday, December 7

2010-12-06T14:48:00.000-08:00

Congress is now back in session. But, will they act for a healthy Gulf?

Next Tuesday, December 7th, please make a call to tell Congress that the Gulf needs a Regional Citizens' Advisory Council to help prevent future disasters and that Clean Water Act fines paid by BP should go towards restoring the coast.

We need all hands on deck for Gulf Coast recovery. Pick up your phone and make a call to your legislator!

The United States Capitol switchboard (202) 224-3121

Who is your Senator? Go here.

Who is your Congressperson? Go here.

What should you say?

Ask to speak with your Representative/Senator. They should transfer you to their office, and if they are not available, just leave a message with the operator or secretary. Then you can use the talking points below.

* Hello! My name is ________________, and I'm calling to ask (Representative/Senator)_ to make a commitment to the Gulf.

* The BP Drilling Disaster spewed 180 million gallons of oil and tons of toxic dispersant into the Gulf of Mexico and much of it is still out there. This disaster is severely impacting the jobs, lives, and futures of millions of Gulf Coast residents.

* In response to the disaster, I urge you to support the creation of a local Citizen's Advisory Council that will give Gulf citizens a voice in making sure the oil industry does not repeat the mistakes that lead to BP's Drilling Disaster.

* Also, please hold BP accountable for their violation of the Clean Water Act and guarantee that the penalties are used to fund restoration efforts in the Gulf of Mexico.

* It will be a long road to restoration, and the government needs to stay focused on the disaster and environmental impacts that are just beginning to play out. It is the only way to ensure that the people and places affected by the disaster are made whole again. Thank you.

Gulf Shores During Spill. Photo: Lyle W. Ratliff/ Reuters.

Surfrider Foundation Issues Official Statement on Offshore Drilling Ban

2010-12-01T14:17:00.000-08:00

Today the Obama Administration announced that it will be banning new offshore oil drilling along the continental US for the next seven years. The Surfrider Foundation applauds this decision and holds it up as a major victory for our nation’s oceans and coastlines, and for the local communities who depend on them for their livelihoods. The Surfrider Foundation is particularly proud of their 20,000+ activists who send letters and messages to President Obama asking for the reinstatement of the executive moratorium on offshore drilling. Even as hundreds of Gulf Shore communities continue to struggle to recover from this nation’s most devastating environmental disaster, today’s decision underscores the importance of grassroots mobilization to protect our nation’s natural resources. America must permanently ban all new offshore drilling, end the harmful practice of seismic testing and continue to move towards clean and renewable energy.

Obama announces no new drilling in Pacific, Atlantic & eastern Gulf

2010-12-01T13:15:00.000-08:00

Today, the Obama administration announced that there will be no new offshore oil drilling in federal waters in the Pacific, Atlantic and Eastern Gulf for the next seven years.

This is a major victory for all those who have fought hard (see NTA partner list) to prevent new offshore drilling since the federal and executive moratoriums were not renewed in the fall of 2008.

Until today, the last 2 years have been full of bad news.

At the 11th hour the Bush administration proposed opening all coasts to drilling.

Despite massive opposition and no real evidence domestic drilling would help solve our energy crisis, in March 2010 the Obama administration proposed open vast tracts of ocean to offshore drilling.

We all know what followed... the largest offshore oil spill in world history.

Thankfully, Salazar and Obama seemed to have learned from the Gulf oil spill, listened to the science, and the continued public opposition to new offshore drilling and have decided that there will be no new offshore drilling lease tracts opened in the Pacific, Atlantic and eastern Gulf for the next 7 years.

Although this is great news and a major step towards protecting out coasts from the threats of offshore drilling, some really critical issues remain. This recent announcement potentially opens the Atlantic to harmful seismic testing and allows for new drilling in Alaska. Further, we cannot forget that hundreds of Gulf Shore communities continue to struggle to recover from this nation’s most devastating environmental disaster.

Read the Department of Interior's press release and supporting documents here

Read an ABC news story here.

Shrimpers Say Nets and Shrimp Covered With Oil, After Shrimping Trip Off Louisiana Coast

2010-11-29T15:26:00.000-08:00

Oil Spill: BP won't put clock on beach cleanup

2010-11-22T07:50:00.000-08:00

Oil remains offshore, on beaches and in Escambia County bays. However, BP and government officials won't guess how long it will take to get it cleaned up.

"Time is a difficult thing to define. ... We don't know when it's going to be," said Michael LaTorre, a representative for BP's local shoreline assessment teams.

BP and government officials had a public forum Thursday in Pensacola to discuss the ongoing fallout from the BP oil spill in Escambia County.

The forum, which was held in the Escambia County Commission chambers, included local BP representatives and officials from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Coast Guard.

To Read More...

Tar-balls Washing Ashore in FL.

2010-11-17T11:38:00.000-08:00

Chuck Barnes, Alabama Surfrider member, has been active in following the Gulf situation "post spill".

He created this blog to keep us all informed.

Just last week, he spotted tar-balls washing ashore after a swell. As he mentions, the tar balls are soft and black, meaning there is little weathering which means the oil could be potentially as toxic as it was the day it seeped out of the well.

Illness Plagues Gulf Residents in BP's Aftermath

2010-11-15T11:35:00.000-08:00

Surfrider Member Chuck Barnes recently interviewed about the impact of the spill.
Illness Plagues Gulf Residents in BP's Aftermath - IPS ipsnews.net

Greenland wants $2 billion bond from oil firms keen to drill in its Arctic waters

2010-11-12T09:52:00.000-08:00

A satellite image of Greenland. Photograph: EIL Austria/Nasa/Alamy

Greenland is demanding that oil companies bidding to drill in huge areas of its Arctic waters each pay an estimated $2bn (£1.25bn) upfront "bond" to meet the clean-up costs from any large spill.

The condition, which is thought to be the first of its kind anywhere in the world, will please environmentalists and could encourage other governments to follow suit in the wake of BP's Gulf of Mexico disaster. Half a dozen energy companies – thought to include Shell, Cairn Energy, Statoil, the Danish companies Dong and Maersk Oil – are in negotiations with the Greenland government about the licensing round, the largest for years.

Read more...

Foreign oil isn't the problem, it's consumption

2010-11-09T16:14:00.000-08:00

"If we were to magically wake up tomorrow and find that we could satisfy all of our demand for oil domestically, without having to import a barrel of oil," he said, "it would really not make any difference in terms of our national security, economic security or vulnerability to oil stocks."

Read more...

Dead deep-sea corals found near BP well

2010-11-05T08:56:00.000-07:00

Surfrider Foundation Visits the Gulf

2010-10-28T20:12:00.000-07:00

The oil spewed for nearly 3 months. Over 200 million gallons of oil poisoned the Gulf, and approximately 2 million gallons of chemicals used to disperse oil exasperated the situation--resulting in the worst U.S environmental disaster. The madness stopped on July 20 when the renegade well was wrestled down. Shortly afterward, the rest of the world "went about its business"--and the federal government (including President Obama) began peddling the notion that the Gulf was safe.

Me and my new friend Chuck at the Conference.

A few months after the spill, the Surfrider Foundation was contacted by Chuck Barnes, Director of Eastern Surfing Association (Alabama District). Chuck informed us that he and several people became ill after surfing in mid-September. Remember, at this point, the federal government was encouraging people to recreate and eat seafood. At the time, I was planning a trip to the Gulf to participate in a conference and I invited him along. The conference, called the Gathering in the Gulf, was a "meeting of the minds" of local and national Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) (including faith based, local fishermen, scientific, public policy, and other diverse organizations).

The conference was basically a 'needs-assessment' of how NGOs should go forward. We spent several days hammering out a set of principles that illustrated a unified vision which would guide our work towards restoring the Gulf. The principles, named "the Weeks Bay Principles" is a laconic document that says it all. It encapsulates what the locals want and represents the larger picture of how those in Washington DC can help. Read it here.

Before visiting the region, I wrote an article predicting what would happen in the Gulf during 2011. Little did I know, some of my predictions were already happening! During my trip, I heard horror stories about illnesses. There are accounts of children being sent home by school nurses because of blisters in the noses, sore throats, and skin rashes due to oil and dispersant vapors/remnants. Fishermen are feeling the same symptoms. In fact, one fisherman attending the conference volunteered for a blood test that tested positive for chemicals related to oil and dispersant in his system. One lady told me that after a "dusting of Corexit" (the dispersant used to break up oil) she got sick from swimming in her pool (and her house was several miles away from the coast).

But the surfer's stories were most unique. They are the "canaries in the coal-mine". They are in the water several times a week (And why not? The federal government is encouraging them to). All of the surfers I spoke with complained of throat/nose/ear problems, accompanied by skin rashes, and burning eyes/lips after surfing during a large swell. One surfer said: “For us, the swell is great because it kicks up surf, but now it’s not just kicking up surf, it’s bringing a “cocktail mix” of oil and dispersant to the surface”.

One day, I went to Gulf Shores, AL to examine the beaches and meet some locals. I ran into families who traveled hundreds of miles to take a vacation there. Even though their “summer vacation” was canceled because of the spill, they were determined to vacation on the white sandy beaches. They said they would spend more of their time “on the beach” and not necessarily in the water. One local woman said she didn’t think pregnant women and young children should swim.

Gulf Shores During Spill. Photo: Lyle W. Ratliff/ Reuters. /

Gulf Shores after spill--white shinny beaches (but the oil still lurks).

After talking to locals and vacationers, I spent some time at a local surf shop (Blonde John’s Board Shop). The business is usually lucrative, but since the spill the owner had witnessed a massive decrease in revenues. One of the shop managers, volunteered his boat to help BP clean up the oil. While he was compensated for his time, he did miss several days of work and, as a result, lost income.

Blonde John running the business.

The economic and environmental unrest plaguing the Gulf goes back to Hurricane Katrina. I cannot count how many times I heard people say: "we’re still recovering from Katrina". An ex-fishermen turned environmental activist said he was wiped out after Katrina. He had lost his boat and morale--he said because of his age he didn’t have the energy (or funds) to start all over again. Essentially, he became a community activist over night. He claimed that when the BP spill happened, he was already prepared to help himself and others.

The oil didn’t just ruin the white sandy beaches--it ruined important fisheries. In fact, just last week another local contacted Surfrider about throngs of dead fish washing up on Grand Isle beach. The sad thing is, most in the region are still consuming seafood.

Current monitoring by the federal government is inadequate and does not test for toxic heavy metals or dispersants. The onus is on the Food and Drug Administration to prove seafood is safe. Considering the Gulf provides 86% of the U.S. shrimp harvest, and 56% of the U.S. oyster harvest--we need evidence it's safe! As for water quality, there are still millions of gallons of oil and dispersants in the water. Even though the government is swearing the water and the air is fine, people continue to be sick. We need a parallel process running along side what the government is “doing”. Surfrider has stepped up to assist. Our Emerald Coast Chapter has been testing the water for months; see a recent blog about a positive result discovered. And we plan to conduct further testing in the Gulf and continue to assist other NGOs.

In the end it all comes down to politics (just like everything in life). Nearly 90% of people I spoke with in the Gulf said they do not feel represented by their local government and most politicians will not push back on the oil and gas industry because they fear losing political contributions. It seems few politicians in the region are willing to "stick their neck out".

Despite feeling crestfallen, I found hope within a catch phrase locals are using. This self-empowering quote goes: “The oil is still here; so are we, and we vote!!” So take that, politicians! A bunch of fired-up, self-empowered locals are watching you and running a "parallel process" outside of the "work" you are doing.

Warning sign.

On the Sixth Month Anniversary of BP’s Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, Groups Call for Protecting Our Coasts from Drilling and Ending Our Dependence on Oil

2010-10-19T16:31:00.000-07:00

For Immediate Release

Contact

Mike Gravitz, mikeg@environmentamerica.org
Jackie Savitz, jsavitz@oceana.org
Stefanie Sekich-Quinn, Ssekich@surfrider.org
Kristina Johnson Kristina.Johnson@sierraclub.org

On the Sixth Month Anniversary of BP’s Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, Groups Call for Protecting Our Coasts from Drilling and Ending Our Dependence on Oil

[Washington, DC] Today, four national environmental groups released a joint statement commemorating the sixth month anniversary of the explosion at the Deepwater Horizon oil rig on April 20th that tragically killed eleven men and led to the worst oil spill U.S. history. Approximately 200 million gallons of oil spilled into the Gulf of Mexico from April 20th until July 15th when the well was temporarily capped. The resulting spill coated more than 600 miles of coastline, hundreds of square miles of marsh, and killed thousands of birds, sea turtles, fish and other marine wildlife. Recent scientific studies have indicated that large amounts of oil still remain in the Gulf, especially in deeper waters. Restoring the Gulf from the spill may take a decade or more and billions of dollars to complete.

The six month anniversary of the country’s worst environmental disaster is an important time to reflect on what we have learned from the event. The impact of the oil spill on the people, wildlife, coasts and deepwater of the Gulf should not be forgotten. Our organizations join together to emphasize a need for a pathway to recovery for the Gulf while protecting our coasts and oceans from new offshore drilling.

Mike Gravitz, Oceans Advocate from Environment America said, “There are three primary lessons from the spill. First, no matter how big the oil company or how strong its promises, offshore drilling is still a risky business, especially in deep water. Second, we must protect our sensitive oceans, coasts and beaches from offshore drilling in places the industry is not drilling today. Finally, we must end our dependence on oil or Big Oil will continue to push to drill in sensitive places that should be protected instead.”

Oceana’s senior campaign director Jackie Savitz warns, “If the spill taught us one thing, it is that offshore drilling is not safe, and will continue to pose grave risks to our oceans, beaches and coastal economies, while providing only a finite amount of dirty energy. To protect our oceans, we need to stop offshore drilling, and in its place, build the foundation we need to jump-start the clean energy transition.”

Athan Manuel, Director of Public Lands at the Sierra Club said, "The BP tragedy isn't over yet. The Gulf Coast is still dealing with job losses in fishing and tourism. We can expect to see damage to the area's beaches and marine life for decades to come. It would be a giant mistake to ignore the lesson of this disaster. Our oil dependence is just too dangerous. Oil companies like BP have had a stranglehold on America's economy for too long. Oil executives are standing in the way of clean energy. It's time to tell them to step aside. We need a moratorium on new offshore drilling. We need to embrace wind, solar, and efficiency technologies that will create good jobs in places like the Gulf Coast. We need to invest in a 21st century transportation system that will help make America a global leader in the clean energy economy."

Stefanie Sekich-Quinn, Campaign Specialist for the Surfrider Foundation said, “I recently visited the Gulf where I heard locals helplessly say: “The oil is still here, and so are we!” To make these communities whole again, we must hold BP accountable and ensure local participation in restoration efforts. In the long term, it's critical we defend our coastlines from new offshore oil drilling—spills like the Deepwater Horizon are detrimental to both the environment and economy. It’s time for our nation to wean itself off oil drilling and seek a comprehensive energy plan that is based on sustainability, conservation and renewable energy.”

###

Environment America is a federation of 29 state based organizations working together for a cleaner, greener, healthier future. www. environmentamerica.org

Oceana is the world’s largest international organization focused solely on ocean conservation. www.oceana.org

Sierra Club is America's oldest and largest grassroots environmental organization. www.sierraclub.org

The Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit grassroots organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of our world’s oceans, waves and beaches. For more information on the Surfrider Foundation, go to www.surfrider.org

UV light reveals oil still on beaches

2010-10-19T12:39:00.000-07:00

Photograph by Chris Combs, National Geographic

With the exception of an occasional tarball, the beaches may look clean, but just like dirty ocean water where you can't see the bacteria, the truth is more subtle.

Researchers from the University of South Florida Coastal Research Lab are using ultraviolet lights to expose oil that is still on the beaches that appear clean to the naked eye.

The question remains what are the ecosystem and health impacts of this invisible sheen of oil (and perhaps dispersant).

Read more....

Click here for more of Chris' stunning photos.

Oil lurks beneath sand six months later

2010-10-18T10:19:00.000-07:00

Worth Trusting?

2010-10-16T10:08:00.000-07:00

Emerald Coast Chapter finds potential evidence of dispersant on FL beach

2010-10-14T16:11:00.000-07:00

Results are in for samples taken on 9-16-10 and 9-23-10. Although tarballs were again present on the beaches, no oil compounds were detected above 5ppm.

The 9-16 sample from Blue Mountain Beach was positive for Propylene glycol at 30.6mg/L.

This is well over three times the reporting limit and considered a significant result. Propylene Glycol is one of the components of dispersants. The sample is being further evaluated to determine if other components of Corexit are also present and to help differentiate from other pollutants.

Read more and support the Emerald Coast's monitoring program here.

Read more about dispersants here.

Will keep you posted on our findings and we continue to test along Florida and Alabama beaches.

Obama Re-opens Deepwater Drilling

2010-10-13T10:08:00.000-07:00

The Obama administration announced yesterday the lifting of the 4-month-old moratorium on deep-water (i.e., 500 ft) offshore drilling. The decision to end the moratorium comes before final safety studies on the BP spill in the Gulf of Mexico have been completed. According to Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, recently strengthened rules and improved oversight have reduced risks to a point where offshore drilling can be allowed to resume. However, major questions remain about the causes of the BP disaster and whether future deepwater drilling activities will sufficiently protect human safety and the environment. Specifically, it remains unclear why the Macondo well blowout preventer failed, causing the worst environmental disaster in U.S. history. Commented Pete Stauffer, Ocean Ecosystem Program Manager for the Surfrider Foundation, "We find it troubling that the Obama Administration is already opening up deepwater drilling before final sudies from the President’s Oil Spill Commission, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Coast Guard/ BOEM Investigation have been completed." The Surfrider Foundation remains opposed to any new offshore oil drilling as our nation’s oceans, waves and beaches are vital recreational, economic and ecological resources that will be polluted by an increase in offshore drilling.

Follow UGA's Marine Science Departments research on the "lost" oil

2010-09-12T06:52:00.000-07:00

Scientists at UGA were amongst the first to find signals of the underwater oil plume and more recently a thick layer of oil on the seafloor that was reported on NPR.

Dr. Samantha Joye, who is leading some of this research, has created a blog so you can flow along: http://gulfblog.uga.edu/

Surfrider Foundation Joins Forces with 350.org

2010-09-08T14:44:00.000-07:00

Surfrider Foundation was approached by 350.org to help raise awareness about climate change and their 10-10-10 Global Work Party. We jumped at the opportunity to work with them because many of our programs and campaigns are inextricably linked to climate change. Obviously, our Not the Answer campaign is a perfect match to help raise awareness about climate change, in general, and join forces with 350.org.

The goal of 10-10-10 is to inspire the world to tackle climate change and send a strong message to our leaders in government that we insist on enforceable laws that reduce CO2 levels to 350 parts per billion. 350 is the focus because scientists say that if we can't get below that, the damage we're already seeing from climate change will continue to accelerate.

The idea behind the 10-10-10 Work Party is simple. Plan something in your local community that will help deal with global warming and raise awareness about the problem. In Auckland, New Zealand, they're having a giant bike fix-up day to get every bike in the city back on the road. In the Maldives, they're putting up solar panels on the President's office. In Uganda, they are going to plant thousands of trees, and in Bolivia they're installing solar stoves for a massive carbon neutral picnic.

To find an event near you, go here.

Latest Explosion in the Gulf

2010-09-07T10:39:00.001-07:00

On Thursday morning, there was another oil rig explosion in the Gulf. By Thursday afternoon, Mariner (who operates the production platform) confirmed all 13 workers were safe and accounted for. By Friday morning, the Coast Guard reported to CNBC that a mile long oil sheen was seen near the Mariner explosion, but they were unclear if the oil was coming for the recent blast or the Deep Horizon spill from April.

The world breathed a sigh of relief when no major spill occurred, yet at the same time, environmentalists and local Gulf residents were disturbed that another explosion has happened. According to a recent Washington Post article, rig fires, worker deaths/injuries and blowouts occur more frequently than the media reports. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management confirmed each year 650-850 serious "incidents" are reported in the Gulf.

Clearly the recent explosion is another wake up call that we need to wean ourselves off fossil fuels. Not only are fossil fuels perpetuating climate change, but the industry itself is risky, dangerous and dirty. One way to begin that process is for President Obama and Congress to permanently ban new offshore oil drilling. The Surfrider Foundation has maintained this position long before the "season of spills" in the Gulf.

Grist Magazine published a great article after the Marine spill last Thursday. It's an interesting global perspective.

Coming to Beach Nearest You?

2010-08-26T10:27:00.000-07:00

Florida Chapters Start State Constitutional Ban Effort

2010-08-24T06:53:00.000-07:00

Florida Members want the public to have the chance to vote on near-shore oil drilling and to ban the possibility of this destructive practice. Oil drilling in Florida marine waters, which extend approximately three miles into the Atlantic Ocean and 10 miles into the Gulf of Mexico, is simply too great a risk to take.

Floridians asked the Legislature, at the Special Session held in July 2010, to place the issue before the voters. Unfortunately, the Legislature did not agree to allow Floridians to vote to amend the State Constitution in the November 2010 general election.

In light of the inaction of the Legislature, and to forestall any future attempt to allow near-shore oil drilling, a number of Florida organizations have created Save our Seas, Beaches and Shores, Inc. (SOSBS) to coordinate a citizens’ petition drive to place the ban on the November 2012 ballot. This will not be easy. It will need approximately 700,000 verified petitions from voting Florida residents. The Department of State, Division of Elections has grnted approval for the Constitutional Amendment Petition Form.

If you are a voting Florida Resident or know one please download, sign and mail in today!

Petition Form

One Page information sheet

Sylvia Earle Talks About The Gulf Disaster and Saving Our Seas

2010-08-23T12:04:00.000-07:00

Former NOAA chief scientist and passionate advocate for our oceans Sylvia Earle recently sat down with Treehugger.com and talked about, among other things, what the Gulf oil spill means for the ocean’s ecology.

Listen and read the full interview here.

Oil found. Science lost.

2010-08-19T21:16:00.000-07:00

In January 2009 during his inaugural speech, newly elected President Barack Obama stated,

"We will restore science to its rightful place..."

It is unfortunate that this promise has been forgotten in response worst environmental disaster in US history.

The Obama adminstration has repeatedly tried to down play the impacts of the gulf oil spill, including faking a swim in the Gulf, only to be repudiated by independent scientists.

Today's Congressional hearing revealed yet another insult to science.

After Jane Lubchenco, head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, told a White House briefing on Aug. 4 that "at least 50 percent of the oil that was released is now completely gone from the system. And most of the remainder is degrading rapidly or is being removed from the beaches.", scientists from several universities, including Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, University of Georgia and University of South Florida, amongst others, countered that the statement was unsubstantiated and not true.

Today , a senior U.S. scientist rescinds previous claim that 3/4 of oil from spill is gone, says most is still there. Lubchenco appears to still be in spin mode. I hope that fact that most of the oil remains in the Gulf and continues to threaten the ecosystem also makes the front page of the NY Times.

So much for restoring science to it's rightful place. Very disappointing.

Upcoming Hearings about Oil Spill Response and Safety

2010-08-18T14:54:00.000-07:00

Attend a public hearing to speak about protection of our coastlines and the importance of oil spill containment and rapid response. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (formally the MMS--the agency who oversees drilling for the U.S.) needs to hear from you. Our collective voice as a community can help decision makers prepare better safety mechanisms and response plans.

This will also be a great opportunity to voice your opposition to new offshore drilling which our Federal Government is currently considering along the east coast and sensitive parts of Alaska. Join Surfrider Foundation activists as we speak out against new drilling and spread the message that offshore oil drilling in not the answer.

Go here to learn more about when and where the hearings are located.

Environmental Film Series and Speakers Forum

2010-08-18T12:50:00.000-07:00

If you live in the Los Angeles area, please join Surfrider Foundation staff as we discuss the 'state of state' for offshore oil drilling in America. Discussion will begin promptly after film première. A portion of the donations benefit the Surfrider Foundation's Not the Answer campaign.

View event information here.

Up to 79% of the spill oil still in the Gulf

2010-08-17T15:10:00.000-07:00

Contrary to NOAA's August 4th report that most of the oil from the Deepwater Horizon spill was gone, a new report from five prominent marine scientists at the University of Georgia concludes that up to 79 percent of the oil released into the Gulf of Mexico from the Deepwater Horizon well has not been recovered and remains a threat to the ecosystem.

The Obama adminstration continues their long running habit of underestimating the severity and impact of the spill, only to be corrected by independent scientists. First they underestimated the rate of the spill , the toxicity of the dispersants, and denied the existence of underwater plumes before claiming the oil was gone.

Read press release here.

News story here.

The complete Georgia Sea Grant/University of Georgia Oil Spill report is available online at http://uga.edu/aboutUGA/joye_pkit/GeorgiaSeaGrant_OilSpillReport8-16.pdf

Figures from the report are available at http://uga.edu/aboutUGA/joye_pkit/GeorgiaSeaGrant_OilChart.pdf.

President Obama (doesn't really) swims in the Gulf

2010-08-17T15:01:00.001-07:00

In a stunt that was well covered by the media over the weekend, President Obama made a big deal about swimming off the coast of Florida on Saturday and declared the Gulf area's beaches "open for business," trying to show by example that a region hit by the BP oil spill was safe for tourists to enjoy.

However, there is a catch. Obama didn't really swim in the Gulf. Instead, it turns out the President swam in St. Andrews Bay, a freshwater bay that is fed mostly by adjoining creeks and springs and wasn't nearly as affected as the beaches off the coast of Louisiana.

Yet another stunt to try and down play the severity and impact of the gulf oil spill.

ESPN Highlights Pro's Thoughts on the Oil Spill

2010-08-16T08:15:00.000-07:00

Life after the ASP World Tour is an interesting one. For one thing, you're still a surfer even if you're not in the Top 44. It's not like you hang up the board with the jersey. You certainly don't just loose the passion. In fact, some of the most inspiring and popular surfers today are Dream Tour alumnus. It also gives you time -- time to think more deeply about the world around you, time to raise a family, time to teach others to surf.

Recently there has been 1 particular prosurfer become the poster child for talking about the impact oil to our coasts and recreation.

To read more click here.

Tell the Senate to Respond to the Gulf Spill Now!

2010-08-04T14:38:00.000-07:00

A couple of days ago, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid pulled the plug on the Senate’s efforts to pass a series of offshore oil drilling reforms. This is extremely disappointing news in the wake of America’s worst environmental disaster and just after the House of Representatives passed the CLEAR act, which would have put necessary response and reforms into action. Tell the Senate to get over their partisan bickering and take responsibility to ensure we can respond to the Gulf spill and prevent another oil spill disaster of this magnitude from ever happening again.

Read more here...

Take Action! Click here to tell the Senate they must act to respond to the Gulf spill - this delay is unacceptable.

4.9 Million Barrels

2010-08-03T16:45:00.000-07:00

Today, federal officials released a revised estimate of the flow rate and total amount of oil spilled during the Deepwater Horizon disaster.

They estimate that the flow rate varied from 62,000 to 53,000 barrels a day over the 87 days that oil was spilling.

The new estimates reflect the collaborative work and discussions of the National Incident Command’s Flow Rate Technical Group (FRTG), led by United States Geological Survey (USGS) Director Marcia McNutt, and a team of Department of Energy (DOE) scientists and engineers, led by Energy Secretary Steven Chu.

Note, the serious underestimates made by Coast Guard in the first weeks of the spill.

Read more here, here & here

I can see CLEARly now...

2010-08-02T10:07:00.000-07:00

On July 30th, the United States House of Representatives passed the Consolidated Land, Energy, and Aquatic Resources Act of 2010 - the CLEAR Act. Surfrider Foundation supports this bill’s provisions that respond to the Deepwater Horizon tragedy and tightens regulatory oversight of offshore oil drilling.

The bill would also establish the ORCA (Ocean Resources Conservation and Assistance) fund, which is the first annual fund dedicated to ocean conservation. We also support the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), which as part of the CLEAR Act would provide consistent and permanent funding for wilderness resources such as parks, beaches and waterways.

In addition to setting up conservation funds, the other "highlights" of the bill include:

Integrated reform of oil and gas drilling sector with improved safety and oversight of oil drilling.
Lifting the current $75 million cap on liabilities related to oil spills, as well as incorporating key elements of the Blowout Prevention Act of 2010.
Reform by statute the failed Minerals Management Service (MMS), which was also ordered to be reorganized by the Obama Administration executive order earlier this year. The reform changes the name of MMS to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement, and includes restrictions such as the “revolving door” provision aimed at preventing conflicts of interest and corruption in the government agency charged with overseeing the oil industry.
In addition to the overdue reforms, the bill also repeals provision of current law that have allowed hundreds of projects to be permitted without careful scrutiny under categorical exclusions.

Unfortunately, the bill sponsors and supporters conceded to a last-minute amendment by Congressman Charlie Melancon (D - LA) that will lift the current six-month deepwater drilling moratorium in the Gulf of Mexico. This deepwater moratorium was enacted by President Obama after the Deepwater Horizon spill and has been the subject of much litigation in the 5th Circuit. Obviously, the environmental community is displeased with this concession amendment in the bill, but overall it is still a CLEARly good bill.

While the House version of the CLEAR Act passed by a vote of 209 to 193, the Senate version of the bill (S.3663) awaits action by the Senate. If it passes, both houses would return from August recess to negotiate a compromise bill to send to the President.

CA & NJ oppose new oil drilling

2010-07-30T13:39:00.001-07:00

Recent polls from California and New Jersey demonstrate strong opposition to new oil drilling. In a recent PPIC poll in California 59% of the population oppose more offshore drilling.

A Monmouth University/Gannett New Jersey Press Media Poll reported that 63% of New Jersey residents are opposed drilling off the Jersey shore. It's notable that 80% of New Jersey residents favor placing electricity-generating windmills off the coast of New Jersey

Voice your opposition to oil drilling here.

State of the Spill - Week 14

2010-07-29T13:17:00.000-07:00

Spill Size/Extent

We have frozen our spill counter at 93,812,000 gallons (86 days) because of the apparently successful cap that was placed on the Macondo well nearly two weeks ago.

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 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 was at those rates since Day 1, the total volume of oil released is between and 126 and 217 million gallons. The vast majority of the spill has not been recovered and is unaccounted for in government statistics.

NOAA’s GeoPlatform.gov/gulfresponse online tool provides images/estimates of the current extent of the surface oil plume, the location of “beached oil” and surface water currents.

State of Efforts to Stop Flow

BP’s tighter fitting cap (termed "capping stack") was installed over two weeks ago and it was announced on Thursday, July 15 that flow from the well had been stopped. Although there have been reports of oil seeps in the area and the measured pressure in the well is less than expected (possibly indicating that oil is leaking out of the well bore into the surrounding formation), it is now believed that the observed oil seeps are unrelated to the Macondo well. BP hopes to leave the cap in place until a relief well (to permanently seal the well) is completed.

The permanent sealing of the well is now anticipated to occur in two phases. First there will be an attempt to perform a "static kill" by pumping mud and cement in from the top of the well. That could occur as soon as Sunday or Monday. Then efforts to perform the "bottom kill" (pumping mud and cement into the lower potions of the Macondo well through the relief well) will start 5 to 7 days after the top kill.

Ecological Damage

The fishery closure area is still 57,539 square miles, covering about 24% of the Gulf of Mexico exclusive economic zone. The GeoPlatform.gov/gulfresponse online tool can be configured to show the fishery closure area and confirmed marine mammal and sea turtle strandings and observations. The National Fish and Wildlife Service publishes daily reports showing the current number of birds, sea turtles and marine mammals that have been "collected" 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

Restore the Gulf: http://www.restorethegulf.gov
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:

Volunteer at www.volunteerflorida.org
For jobs, visit www.floridagulfrecoveryjobs.com or call 1-877-362-5034
Visit www.volunteerfloridadisaster.org for updates

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/

The Gulf Specimen Marine Lab in Panacea, Florida needs volunteers and donations to support their educational and research work.

Florida Palm Beach/Treasure Coast area volunteers can email Surfrider's Florida Regional Manager : Ericka D'avanzo

Florida DEP is not encouraging private citizens to clean up shorelines. However, should a homeowner have oil soaked materials, there are two options:

Have the homeowners contact 1-866-448-5816 and someone will be sent out to retrieve the oiled materials.

Emerald County Utilities Authority (ECUA) has provided several 55 gallon drums at certain walk crossovers on Pensacola Beach. They are 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.

Florida Information Numbers and Websites:

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
National Audubon Society
National Wildlife Federation
Restore America’s Estuaries
Save Our Gulf

More Information & Call to Action

Help us track oil spill impacts (including human health impacts) at: http://oilspill.skytruth.org/

Urge President Obama and Congress to ban new drilling: http://www.surfrider.org/nodrilling

Donate to support Surfrider's Emerald Coast Chapter water testing in the Florida Panhandle area.

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

Raging Grannies Sing Drill No More

2010-07-28T14:01:00.000-07:00

If you haven't heard about the Raging Grannies, now is a great time to begin your appreciation for them. They started in 1986 and have 'organized groups' around the world. They typically sing protest songs about social and environmental injustices. Learn more about them here and here.

I came across the Albuquerque Raging Grannies when Surfrider was organizing for the Hand Across the Sand event. They sent me an email with a link to their song and said:

"We're 800 miles away from the nearest beach, but we want to offer our encouragement! Please feel free to use our song at your demonstration. It's the to tune of "Blowin in the Wind" which everyone knows and is a real crowd-pleaser"!

Enjoy!

Shea and Corey Lopez on the Oil Spill in Their Home State

2010-07-26T06:54:00.000-07:00

State of the Spill - Week 13

2010-07-22T12:06:00.000-07:00

Spill Size/Extent

We have frozen our spill counter at 93,812,000 gallons (86 days) because of the apparently successful cap that was placed on the Macondo well late last week.

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 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 between and 126 and 217 million gallons. The government estimates that about 760,000 gallons of oil have been recovered.

NOAA’s GeoPlatform.gov/gulfresponse online tool provides nearshore and offshore “spill trajectory estimates” for the current oil plume and the next two days. You can also use the tool to show the current plume, the location of “beached oil” and surface water currents.

State of Efforts to Stop Flow

BP’s tighter fitting cap (termed "capping stack") was installed early last week and it was announced on Thursday, July 15 that flow from the well had been stopped. Although there have been reports of oil seeps in the area and the measured pressure in the well is less than expected (possibly indicating that oil is leaking out of the well bore into the surrounding formation), it is now believed that the observed oil seeps are unrelated to the Macondo well. BP hopes to leave the cap in place until a relief well (to permanently seal the well) is completed.

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. It is hoped that this work can be accomplished by late July or early August. Read the latest.

Ecological Damage

Today (July 22) NOAA announced that it was reopening 26,388 square miles (68,345 sq km) of area it had previously closed to commercial and recreational fishing in the Gulf of Mexico. The
GeoPlatform.gov/gulfresponse online tool can be configured to show the fishery closure area (now 57,539 square miles, covering about 24% of the Gulf of Mexico exclusive economic zone) and confirmed marine mammal and sea turtle strandings and observations. The National Fish and Wildlife Service publishes daily reports showing the current number of birds, sea turtles and marine mammals that have been "collected" 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

http://www.restorethegulf.gov
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:

Volunteer at www.volunteerflorida.org
For jobs, visit www.floridagulfrecoveryjobs.com or call 1-877-362-5034
Visit www.volunteerfloridadisaster.org for updates

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/

The Gulf Specimen Marine Lab in Panacea, Florida needs volunteers and donations to support their educational and research work.

Florida Palm Beach/Treasure Coast area volunteers can email Surfrider's Florida Regional Manager : Ericka D'avanzo
Florida DEP is not encouraging private citizens to clean up shorelines. However, should a homeowner have oil soaked materials, there are two options:

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.

Florida Information Numbers and Websites:

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 (including human health impacts) at: http://oilspill.skytruth.org/

Urge President Obama and Congress to ban new drilling: http://www.surfrider.org/nodrilling

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

Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Location, Surf conditions and meteorological report

2010-07-20T14:40:00.001-07:00

Tuesday July 20, 2010

Summary: Oil observations from Land based reconnaissance groups include new products ashore in Johnson Beach, various locations along Santa Rosa Island, Ft. Walton Beach, Tang-O-Mar Beach in Walton County and Bay County. Wind and wave forces continue to the north and northwest reducing risk of oil moving eastward. Other than small continued occurrences of tarballs and related products, shoreline impacts expected to occur primarily west of Pensacola.

Emerald Chapter Speak to Surgeon General about Spill Impacts

2010-07-16T09:53:00.000-07:00

Laird Hamilton says reinstate the moratorium!

2010-07-14T13:31:00.000-07:00

Surfrider Foundation Water Testing in the Gulf

2010-07-14T11:12:00.000-07:00

The Emerald Coast Chapter of Surfrider Foundation has begun "on the ground" efforts to test their local Gulf beach waters in Florida for dispersants being used to 'clean up the oil' and oil. They have taken the approach to adapt SF's Blue Water Task Force Program to specifically address this disaster. They have chosen to test because none of the agencies are testing for dispersants and they are not currently publishing the results of oil testing. The lack of information being shared with the public is a major health risk to both residents and tourists as tar balls wash up on these shores daily.

On Sunday there was a sheen in the waters as far east as Miramar Beach (Walton County) and multiple reports of health concerns, coughing up blood, shortness of breath, skin and eye irritations due to people entering the water. The Suncoast Chapter (St. Pete/Sarasota) and other Florida chapters may also initiate testing if the surface and underwater plumes sync with the loop current and make their way east and south.

As you might imagine due to the severity of this spill, this testing may be needed over an extended period of time. The cost for testing dispersants is about $350/per test and samples have to be shipped to a lab in Washington state. Oil testing is about $80/per sample. Surfrider's Emerald Coast chapter is directly impacted by the spill and could use help in getting the word out and/or by making a donation to this campaign.

To find out more go to www.SurfriderEmeraldCoast.org and if you wish to contribute you can click on the "Donate" button.

State of the Spill - Week 12

2010-07-13T11:46:00.000-07:00

Spill Size/Extent

Size: 91,628,000 gallons (84 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 123 and 212 million gallons. The government estimates that about 750,000 gallons of oil have been recovered.

NOAA’s GeoPlatform.gov/gulfresponse online tool provides nearshore and offshore “spill trajectory estimates” for the current oil plume and the next two days. You can also use the tool to show the current plume, the location of “beached oil” and surface water currents.

State of Efforts to Stop Flow

BP’s “top hat” containment system plus auxiliary collection and flaring systems are being replaced by a tighter fitting cap (termed "capping stack") that is intended to contain all of the oil gushing from the Macondo well. Read more.

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. It is hoped that this work can be accomplished by late July or early August. Read more.

Ecological Damage

The GeoPlatform.gov/gulfresponse online tool can be configured to show the fishery closure area (83,927 square miles, covering about 35% of the Gulf of Mexico exclusive economic zone as of July 13) and confirmed marine mammal and sea turtle strandings and observations. The National Fish and Wildlife Service publishes daily reports showing the current number of birds, sea turtles and marine mammals that have been "collected" 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

http://www.restorethegulf.gov
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:

Volunteer at www.volunteerflorida.org
For jobs, visit www.floridagulfrecoveryjobs.com or call 1-877-362-5034
Visit www.volunteerfloridadisaster.org for updates

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/

The Gulf Specimen Marine Lab in Panacea, Florida needs volunteers and donations to support their educational and research work.

Florida Palm Beach/Treasure Coast area volunteers can email Surfrider's Florida Regional Manager Ericka D'avanzo: edavanzo@surfrider.org

Florida DEP is not encouraging private citizens to clean up shorelines. However, should a homeowner have oil soaked materials, there are two options:

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.

Florida Information Numbers and Websites:

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 President Obama and Congress to ban new drilling: http://www.surfrider.org/nodrilling

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

Endless Bummer

2010-07-13T11:36:00.001-07:00

Thanks to photographer/artist Matty Thomas for this.

Daily Drilling News Roundup

2010-07-12T13:50:00.000-07:00

Looking for a daily dose of oil drilling and spill news? Well, our own Rick Wilson compiles all the day's news articles into a neatly packaged message conveniently placed right in your Inbox. The sign up form is on the top right of this page.
Over there --------->

Also be sure to follow us on Twitter @envirosurf for all the latest Surfrider and coastal news.

7/8/2010 Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill DEP Sampling Update

2010-07-09T08:13:00.000-07:00

DEP: Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration
Impact assessment sampling event in Panhandle at shoreline sites in Florida Panhandle counties continues: Escambia through Franklin Counties (Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Bay, Gulf, Franklin).

Water samples will be collected throughout the panhandle for PAH’s. Two to three samples will be collected each day from Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Bay and Gulf counties. Sampling will be conducted throughout each week on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Routine monitoring will continue in Gulf and Franklin counties on Tuesdays.

FDEP Deepwater Horizon Web: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/deepwaterhorizon/default.htm
“Quicklinks” on the right will direct you to water sampling reports.

July 8, 2010 Water samples collected today:

Escambia/Santa Rosa – Johnson Beach, Ft. Pickens, Pensacola Pier, Navarre Beach – routine samples, no oil observed
Okaloosa – Beasley Park, Henderson State Park – routine samples, no oil observed
Walton County: 2 samples planned (Miramar Beach, and either Blue Mountain or Grayton Beach)
Bay County: 2 samples planned (Laguna Beach, Panama City Beach)

DEP: Division of Water Resource Management
A NRDA Shoreline/Marsh Pre-Assessment plan has been approved; staff from the Office of Submerged Lands and Environmental Resources and from the Beaches and Wetland Resources Section are coordinating.

A NRDA team (Entrix and National Parks) is conducting pre-assessment inspections on Gulf Islands National Seashore this week.

DEP: Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas (CAMA)
CAMA is gearing up to start the northeast region (Volusia through Nassau Counties) the week of July 12.

FL Governor Calls Special Session on State Oil Drilling Ban

2010-07-09T07:17:00.000-07:00

On July 8th Governor Crist announced a Proclamation to hold a Special Session from July 20-23 to convene the Legislature for the sole purpose of of passing a joint resolution to revise the Florida Constitution to prohibit the exploration for, the drilling for, the extraction of and the production of oil beneath all Florida waters from the mean high water line to the seaward limit of Florida's boundaries.

Copy of the Governor's Proclamation

Action Alert for Florida Residents to Support Special Session

Great Video from Hands Across The Sand in Montauk

2010-06-30T14:27:00.000-07:00

State of the Spill - Week 10

2010-06-29T12:56:00.000-07:00

Spill Size/Extent

Size: 76,440,000 gallons (70 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 103 and 176 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. You can also use the tool to show the current plume, the location of “beached oil” and surface water currents.

State of Efforts to Stop Flow

BP’s “top hat” containment system plus auxiliary collection and flaring systems are believed to be collecting approximately 25,000 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.

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 a few more weeks to drill. Read more.

Ecological Damage

The GeoPlatform.gov/gulfresponse online tool can be configured to show the fishery closure area and confirmed marine mammal and sea turtle strandings and observations. 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/

The Gulf Specimen Marine Lab in Panacea, Florida needs volunteers and donations to support their educational and research work.

Florida Palm Beach/Treasure Coast area volunteers can email Surfrider's Florida Regional Manager Ericka D'avanzo: edavanzo@surfrider.org

Florida Gulf Recovery Jobs
http://gulfrecoveryjobs.employflorida.com/portals/gulfrecoveryjobs/

Florida DEP is not encouraging private citizens to clean up shorelines. However, should a homeowner have oil soaked materials, there are two options:

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.

Florida Information Numbers and Websites:

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

Thanks to everyone (there were more than 100,000 participants across the U.S. and worldwide) who came out to their local beaches last Saturday to join hands and draw an actual and a metaphorical line in the sand against offshore oil drilling and for clean energy.

Help us track oil spill impacts at: http://oilspill.skytruth.org/

Urge Obama and Congress to ban new drilling: http://www.surfrider.org/nodrilling

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

TEDxOilSpill Live Now!

2010-06-28T12:27:00.000-07:00

Go here for live stream

TEDxOilSpill website.

Complexity of Cleaning Oil

2010-06-28T03:39:00.000-07:00

This layer of oil uncovered by USF geologists illustrates the complexity of cleaning oil off our beaches. The dynamic movement of sand on beaches has covered the oil with a 6-8 inch layer of sand. If the clean up crews only look at the surface of the beach when cleaning the oil how much will they miss? What is the ecological impact to the important animals that use the beach? How will this effect nesting sea turtles? And how long before this layer gets exposed again?

As we learned from the lasting ecological impacts of the Exxon Valdez oil spill, one thing is certain. We will be addressing these impacts for decades to come.

Click here for more photo's from the St. Petersburg Times

HANDS ACROSS THE SAND - TOMORROW JUNE 26th

2010-06-25T06:43:00.000-07:00

Hands Across the Sand is now international. The image is powerful, the message is simple. NO to Offshore Oil Drilling, YES to Clean Energy.

Join the Surfrider Foundation THIS SATURDAY, June 26 at 11 a.m. PLEASE WEAR BLACK.

Join hands for 15 minutes on the beach in a united effort against offshore oil drilling and the dangers it presents to our oceans and marine wildlife, fishing industries and coastal economies.

There are 819 total events organized.

There are 730 events organized in the U.S.

There are events organized in 509 different U.S. cities.

There are events organized in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. (52)

There are events organized in 32 countries outside the U.S.

There are events organized in 82 cities outside the U.S.

The following countries are participating:
Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Belize, Canada, Costa Rica, Germany, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Spain, France, United Kingdom, Greenland, Croatia, Ireland, India, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Lebanon, Mexico, Malaysia, Nicaragua, Netherlands, Norway, New Zealand, Panama, Peru, Poland, Sweden, Tanzania, South Africa,

With the mishap of BP's Deepwater Horizon oil spill this event will be more timely than ever and likely to double or triple the 300+ number of people that gathered before. Hands Across The Sand‘s mission is to change our energy policy away from its dependence on fossil fuels and into the light of clean energy. The aim is to convince our leaders to abandon expanded offshore oil drilling and adopt policies that encourage clean and renewable energy sources.

..Worth a thousand words

2010-06-23T17:09:00.000-07:00

Powerful images courtesy of Octavian Florescu

Gulf Oil Spill Health Hazards

2010-06-22T14:40:00.001-07:00

Sciencecorps (Lexington, MA) has published a comprehensive report that describes the toxicity of chemicals in crude oil and in the dispersants currently being used in the Gulf area. Read it here.