Oil Spill Gulf of Mexico 2010 | Submit your complaints and let your voice be heard!

BP Complaints



Aquarium, Gulf Officials Discuss Oil Spill Research – WBAL Baltimore 0

Posted on November 03, 2011 by bp complaints

The State Column

Aquarium, Gulf Officials Discuss Oil Spill Research
WBAL Baltimore
BALTIMORE — The Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion and subsequent oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has fallen from the headlines, but cleanup efforts are still under way. Officials from the Gulf region joined those in the conservation department at
Pace of offshore drilling approvals picks upSan Francisco Chronicle
Gulf spill still affecting environment, industriesHouma Courier
Rep. Larsen Seeks Ways to Ensure Oil Spill CleanupThe State Column
ABC2 News –al.com (blog) –The Hill (blog)
all 69 news articles »

gulf oil spill updates – Google News

Scientists and policy makers discuss long-term impact of gulf oil spill – ABC2 News 0

Posted on November 03, 2011 by bp complaints

Scientists and policy makers discuss long-term impact of gulf oil spill
ABC2 News
BALTIMORE – The long-term impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is yet to be seen, however scientists are working hard to come up with an idea of what we can expect. There's a symposium going on at the National Aquarium in

gulf oil spill updates – Google News

From Deepwater Horizon to unrest in the Middle East, much to discuss at CERA Week – Houston Business Journal 0

Posted on March 04, 2011 by bp complaints

From Deepwater Horizon to unrest in the Middle East, much to discuss at CERA Week
Houston Business Journal
the annual event put on by advisory firm IHS Cambridge Energy Research Associates, based in Englewood, Colo., with an office in Houston. When the doors open March 7, it will be the first CERA Week conference since last year's Deepwater Horizon

and more »

deepwater horizon – Google News

Officials, Native American Leaders Discuss Deepwater Horizon Response Operations 0

Posted on September 23, 2010 by bp complaints

Key contact numbers

  • Report oiled shoreline or request volunteer information: (866) 448-5816
  • Submit alternative response technology, services or products: (281) 366-5511 
  • Submit a claim for damages: (800) 916-4893
  • Report oiled wildlife: (866) 557-1401

Deepwater Horizon Incident
Joint Information Center

Phone: (713) 323-1670
(713) 323-1671

2nd Chief Alfred Berryhill, from the Muscogee (Creek) Nation of Oklahoma, speaks with members of the Deepwater Horizon response
the federal on-scene coordinator for the Deepwater Horizon response, speaks to governmental members of federally recognized Native American tribes during a government-to-government tribal consultation
Rear Adm. Paul Zukunft, the federal on-scene coordinator for the Deepwater Horizon response, speaks to governmental members of federally recognized American Indian tribes
Rear Adm. Paul Zukunft (right), the federal on-scene coordinator for the Deepwater Horizon response, speaks with Harrell French (center) from the United South and Eastern Tribes Inc., and Michael Tarpley, the tribal historic preservation officer for the Jena Band of Choctaw Indians
Click an image to view detailed cutline information and download a high-resolution copy. U.S. Coast Guard photos by Petty Officer 3rd Class Rob Simpson

 

An historic government-to-government tribal consultation was held in New Orleans Sept. 17, 2010. Initiated and hosted by Federal On-Scene Coordinator Coast Guard Rear Adm. Paul Zukunft, the meeting was the largest of several inter-governmental consultations between federally recognized American Indian tribes and the federal government to discuss the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill response.

Tribal leaders from as far as Oklahoma and Texas attended the meeting, and included representatives from the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas, the Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana, the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, the Jena Band of Choctaw Indians, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, the Muscogee (Creek) Nation of Oklahoma, the Thlopthlocco Tribal Town, and legal counsel for United Southern and Eastern Tribes (USET). The Seminole Tribe of Florida also attended the meeting by phone.

One of the main purposes of the meeting was to continue formal consultation and dialogue with federally recognized tribes on the protection of historic properties, traditional cultural properties, and tribal lands that may be affected by the oil spill and response. A total of 25 American Indian tribes are potentially affected by the spill.

Twelve tribal leaders and representatives of six distinct tribal nations attended.

Zukunft briefed the nation tribes on the history of the spill response, and conveys his commitment to protect historic properties that may be affected by the spill and response. Historic properties include ancient archaeological sites, shipwrecks, isolated artifacts, fortifications and structures, and traditional cultural properties. The admiral also provided an overview of the federal government’s obligation and commitment to implement and uphold Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and other federal laws that protect historic properties and tribal interests. The consultation was coordinated by the National Park Service and led by the Assistant Associate Director of Cultural Resources, Dr. Dan Odess.

Continued consultation fosters greater communication between the response and the tribes. In addition to participating in response discussion making tribal monitors accompany shoreline clean-up assessment teams, beach clean-up crews, boom retrieval operations and participate in the planning and review process for Section 106.

The Sept. 17th all-day meeting commenced with a traditional tribal blessing, asking for wisdom, guidance and safe travels for all participants. Charles Coleman of the Thlopthlocco Tribal Town presented Zukunft with an award and a Thlopthlocco Tribal Town coin, and 2nd Chief Alfred Berryhill of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation of Oklahoma presented tribal pins. Zukunft presented all tribal members with traditional admiral coins.

Since the beginning of the response, federal partners have engaged Native American tribes on issues related to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. USDA hosted specific tribal calls early in the response to discuss various programs available. Tribal leaders were engaged in various agency meetings, and the White House began weekly Native American outreach calls to discuss the spill response as well as claims processes and to answer questions. DHS continues to host weekly calls with tribal leaders.

###

Feature by: Margo Schwadron, Ph.D., National Parks Service Archeologist, Native American Graves Protection & Repatriation Act Coordinator


Recent Updates for Unified Command for the Deepwater BP Oil Spill | Deepwater Horizon Response

MEDIA ADVISORY: NOAA Fisheries Chief Holds Conference Call to Discuss Reopening Federal Waters Along Northern Gulf of Mexico 1

Posted on September 02, 2010 by bp complaints

Key contact numbers

  • Report oiled shoreline or request volunteer information: (866) 448-5816
  • Submit alternative response technology, services or products: (281) 366-5511 
  • Submit a claim for damages: (800) 916-4893
  • Report oiled wildlife: (866) 557-1401

Deepwater Horizon Incident
Joint Information Center

Phone: (713) 323-1670
(713) 323-1671

 

Today at 3:30 pm EDT, Eric Schwaab, NOAA Assistant Administrator for the NOAA’s Fisheries Service, will hold a conference call with reporters to discuss the reopening of federal waters along portions of the Florida Panhandle, Alabama, Mississippi, and eastern Louisiana to commercial and recreation fishermen.

WHO:         Eric Schwaab, NOAA assistant administrator for NOAA’s Fisheries Service

WHAT:       Conference call briefing to discuss the reopening of federal waters along northern Gulf of Mexico

WHEN:       Thursday, September 2 at 3:30 p.m. EDT

DIAL-IN:    1-888-972-6899; passcode: NOAA

 

 

 


Recent Updates for Unified Command for the Deepwater BP Oil Spill | Deepwater Horizon Response

Southern Governors Discuss Oil Spill, Gulf Drilling – WAAY 0

Posted on August 29, 2010 by bp complaints

WKRG-TV

Southern Governors Discuss Oil Spill, Gulf Drilling
WAAY
Talks about oil drilling are scheduled to continue Monday. Specifically, governors of the Gulf states want to see more revenue from wells that are drilled
BP will not use well responsible for oil spill, says incoming CEOal.com (blog)
Southern governors meet to discuss spillWANE

all 34 news articles »

gulf oil spill updates – Google News

Southern Governors Discuss Oil Spill, Gulf Drilling – WAAY 0

Posted on August 29, 2010 by bp complaints

WKRG-TV

Southern Governors Discuss Oil Spill, Gulf Drilling
WAAY
Talks about oil drilling are scheduled to continue Monday. Specifically, governors of the Gulf states want to see more revenue from wells that are drilled
BP will not use well responsible for oil spill, says incoming CEOal.com (blog)
Southern governors meet to discuss spillWANE

all 34 news articles »

gulf oil spill updates – Google News

PHOTO RELEASE: Senior U.S. Officials Discuss Seafood Safety with Local Fishermen 0

Posted on August 28, 2010 by bp complaints

Key contact numbers

  • Report oiled shoreline or request volunteer information: (866) 448-5816
  • Submit alternative response technology, services or products: (281) 366-5511 
  • Submit a claim for damages: (800) 916-4893
  • Report oiled wildlife: (866) 557-1401

Deepwater Horizon Incident
Joint Information Center

Phone: (713) 323-1670
(713) 323-1671

CHALMETTE, La. - Sam Coleman (right photo, center) of the Environmental Protection Agency, discussed the concerns of fishermen about seafood safety in the Gulf of Mexico after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill during a dockside chat on Aug. 26, 2010. U.S. officials from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Food and Drug Administration, the Fish and Wildlife Service and the Coast Guard were on hand to field questions from the group. U.S. Coast Guard photos by Petty Officer 3rd Class Matthew S. Masaschi.

CHALMETTE, La. - Sam Coleman (right photo, center) of the Environmental Protection Agency, discussed the concerns of fishermen about seafood safety in the Gulf of Mexico after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill during a dockside chat on Aug. 26, 2010. U.S. officials from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Food and Drug Administration, the Fish and Wildlife Service and the Coast Guard were on hand to field questions from the group. U.S. Coast Guard photos by Petty Officer 3rd Class Matthew S. Masaschi.

CHALMETTE, La.Environmental Protection Agency Superfund Region 6 Director Sam Coleman (right photo, center) discussed the federal government’s rigorous efforts to ensure seafood safety after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and listened to the concerns of fishermen during a dockside chat on Aug. 26, 2010. U.S. officials from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Food and Drug Administration, the Food and Drug Administration and the state of Louisiana were on hand for the discussion. U.S. Coast Guard photos by Petty Officer 3rd Class Matthew S. Masaschi.

NEW ORLEANS - Buck Sutter from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, answers questions from members of the Vietnamese community during a dockside chat regarding areas deemed safe to fish, Aug. 26, 2010. The dockside chat allowed for a dialogue between local mariners and governmental representatives on steps being taken following the oil spill. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Matthew S. Masaschi.

NEW ORLEANS – National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Gulf of Mexico Regional Team Lead Buck Sutter questions from fishermen during a dockside chat held specifically to engage the Vietnamese community to discuss seafood safety on Aug. 26, 2010. The dockside chat allowed for a dialogue between local fishermen and representatives from government agencies engaged in rigorous efforts to ensure Gulf seafood safety following the oil spill. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Matthew S. Masaschi.

 

NEW ORLEANS - A local mariner voices his concerns regarding how the seafood industry will be rehabilitated to several government agency representatives at a dockside chat, Aug. 26, 2010. The dockside chat allowed for a dialogue between local mariners and governmental representatives on steps being taken following the oil spill. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Matthew S. Masaschi.

 

NEW ORLEANS – A local fishermen discusses issues facing the seafood industry following the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill with senior officials representing government agencies engaged in rigorous efforts to ensure Gulf seafood safety at a dockside chat held specifically for the Vietnamese community on Aug. 26, 2010. The dockside chat allowed for a dialogue between fishermen and federal and state representatives about steps being taken following the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Matthew S. Masaschi.


Recent Updates for Unified Command for the Deepwater BP Oil Spill | Deepwater Horizon Response

Transcript -NOAA Administrator Briefing to Discuss the Reopening of Federal Waters Along Western Louisiana 0

Posted on August 27, 2010 by bp complaints

Key contact numbers

  • Report oiled shoreline or request volunteer information: (866) 448-5816
  • Submit alternative response technology, services or products: (281) 366-5511 
  • Submit a claim for damages: (800) 916-4893
  • Report oiled wildlife: (866) 557-1401

Deepwater Horizon Incident
Joint Information Center

Phone: (713) 323-1670
(713) 323-1671

 

Below is a transcript from Friday’s teleconference press briefing by Administrator for NOAA, Dr. Jane Lubchenco, to discuss the reopening of federal waters along western Louisana

A downloadable audio file of the conference is available here.

 

August 27, 2010

10 a.m. EDT

Kevin Griffis:    Great, thank you.  Thank you, everyone, for joining us today.  This is Kevin Griffis with the Department of Commerce, and I’m joined today by Jane Lubchenco, the undersecretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere.  She is going to announce today the opening of some closed federal waters and the steps that we’re taking to reach that decision.

 And so without further ado, I’m going to hand it over to Dr. Lubchenco.

Jane Lubchenco:     Thanks, Kevin.    Good morning, everyone.  Thanks for joining us.  I’m happy to announce today the reopening of 4,281 square miles of federal waters in the northwestern corner of the federal closed area.  This is an area that’s just off the western coast of Louisiana.  Today’s reopening represents 7.4 percent of the currently closed area. 

 NOAA’s decision today to reopen waters to commercial and recreational fishing we believe is the right one for fishermen and for American consumers.  It gives fishermen access to important fishing grounds.  And because NOAA followed a reopening protocol also agreed to by the FDA and the gulf states, it also protects consumers and helps prevent contaminated seafood from entering the marketplace.

That reopening protocol entails a three-pronged approach.  The first condition for reopening in an area is that oil is not present and not expected to be present in the foreseeable future.  Second, samples must pass sensory analysis.  And, third, they must pass chemical analysis.  The area that we are opening today for fishing meets all three of these criteria. 

On July 18, NOAA data showed no oil in the area.  Light sheen was observed on July 29, and none since then.  Trajectory models show that the area is at a low risk for future exposure to oil.  And fish caught in the area and tested by NOAA experts have shown no signs of contamination.

Between July 26th and July 29, NOAA sampled the area for both shrimp and finfish, including mackerel and snapper.  Sensory analyses were performed on 41 samples and chemical analyses on 125 specimens.  Sensory analyses found no detectable oil or dispersant, odors, or flavors, and results of chemical analyses were well below the levels of concern.

But we believe our sampling work is not done.  To continue to ensure that the seafood from this and other open areas in the gulf is free of contaminants, NOAA will continue to test seafood.  We are also continuing dock-side and market-based sampling in partnership with the FDA.

When the BP Deepwater Horizon crisis first began, I met with recreational and commercial fishermen throughout the region and with consumer advocates.  We pledged to stand shoulder to shoulder with Gulf Coast fishermen and their families during these difficult times and to do everything possible to protect the integrity and the safety of seafood reaching the marketplace.

We are fulfilling that promise, and I can assure you that NOAA will continue to work aggressively to keep seafood safe, get fishermen back on the water doing what they love, and restore the gulf ecosystem that supports this area’s special way of life.

 Thanks.  And I’d be happy to take any questions.

 Operator:        Thank you…

 Kevin Griffis:    Thank you – sorry.  Thank you, Dr. Lubchenco.

 Operator:         And you would like to ask questions at this time?

 Kevin Griffis:    We have Eileen Fleming from National Public Radio.

 Eileen Fleming:   Dr. Lubchenco (inaudible) Jindal said this morning that the seafood for Louisiana is tested seven times, which is more than much of the country, which is not tested at all.  I was wondering if you could talk about those seven tests and what the status is for testing for chemical dispersants.

Jane Lubchenco:     Eileen, the states, including Louisiana, have responsibility for regulating fisheries in their state waters, which for Louisiana is from the shore to three miles out.  NOAA has responsibility for regulating the fisheries in federal waters, which is from three miles all the way out to 200 nautical miles from the shore.

The protocols that we agreed upon between NOAA and FDA and the states are ones that we are all following.  For federal waters, which was the announcement that we are making today, NOAA does the sampling, and NOAA does the testing, and then we turn those results over to FDA, who’s responsible for certifying the safety of seafood.  So just to clarify, in federal waters, NOAA is responsible for opening or closing waters, but FDA certifies whether the seafood is safe. 

In state waters, the states do the sampling.  They turn them over to NOAA and FDA for testing.  And then, again, FDA does the certification.

So what I can describe to you are the sampling protocols that NOAA uses for federal waters, but I cannot describe any extra sampling that the states are doing.  So the seven types of samples that the governor was referring to, I’m not sure quite what that means.

The states agreed to follow the same protocols that we do.  And that’s what we have done and will continue to do.

 Operator:  At this time, I would like to inform everyone, in order to ask a question, press star, then the number one on your telephone keypad. 

 Your next question comes from the line of Harry Weber with the Associated Press.

 Harry Weber:    Morning, Dr. Lubchenco.  If my math is correct, the reopening of these waters will leave about 53,700 square miles of federal waters still closed.  Is that correct?  Can you give us an update?

 Jane Lubchenco: I – yes.  The area that remains closed is 48,114 square miles.  And that’s…

 Harry Weber:    And that stretches from where to where?

 Jane Lubchenco:   Twenty percent of federal waters in the gulf.

 Harry Weber:  That represents 20 percent of federal waters in the gulf?

 Jane Lubchenco:     Correct.  So at the – we began closing waters when – in early May when there was oil and expanded that closed area through time as the oil was moving outward from the wellhead.  At its height, the maximum closed area was 37 percent of the federal waters in the gulf.  And that’s 88,522 square miles.

Once the oil was no longer flowing from the well, and once the oil began to dissipate, we have been reopening areas.  This is the third area that we are announcing today.  The first one was opened July 22nd, and that was off the Florida peninsula.  And then on August 10th, we reopened another area off the Florida panhandle.  And so this one off western Louisiana is the third area to be reopened.

And what we’re doing is sort of nibbling at the edges, if you will.  Areas that have been free from oil for the longest time and that were oiled the least are teed up first for consideration for reopening.  We go in and do sampling of seafood from those areas that we are considering, and then if they pass the tests that I described in my opening comments, that area will be reopened.

So currently, we have an area that is just about 20 percent of federal waters still closed. 

 Operator:  Your next question comes from the line of Mario Garcia with NBC News.

 Mario Garcia:  (inaudible) Lubchenco, thanks for taking my question.  Just moving forward, the systems you described in place thus far, obviously, (involved with) large and constant flux.  What is the protocol for testing, for instance, in areas that are reopened we continue to test to see the status? 

And then moving, you know, much forward or slightly more forward than just, you know, these waters, fishermen we talk to here – some of the concern, obviously, is that, you know, the adult fish now that could be caught may or may not be OK, but, you know, there’s concern about future generations and once, you know, maybe getting into the soil or, you know, in the larvae, et cetera.  What will the longer-term testing entail?

 Jane Lubchenco:    Thanks for those questions, Mario.  Those are great ones.  We will – we are continuing to test in areas that we have reopened.  And we’ll continue to do so.

In other words, in parallel to testing areas that are under consideration for reopening, we will also be retesting areas that have already been opened.

In addition to that, we are doing dock-side sampling.  In other words, when commercial vessels bring seafood into the port, NOAA is doing sampling there as an extra check.  And FDA is, in addition to that, doing samples of seafood that’s in the market.  So that’s the answer to your first question.  

The long-term sampling and long-term potential impacts is an area that is under active investigation.  We have been and will continue to do extensive monitoring of oil in the gulf, which is now primarily subsurface and appears to be biodegrading relatively rapidly, but the oil that is subsurface and surface oil might have had – might have already affected the young juvenile stages. 

And we remain concerned about the impacts that that might have and are continuing to evaluate that very, very closely.  We feel completely confident that the seafood that is in the market now is safe for human consumption, safe and free from contaminants from the spill, and we will continue to investigate the longer-term impacts this spill may have had.

We are in the process of working closely with many of the academic institutions in the region and elsewhere and many of our federal partners in designing some very aggressive short-term and long-term monitoring and evaluation.  And, of course, part of our responsibility is to evaluate the long-term impacts of the spill.

So we won’t have the answers to all of that for quite some time, but are working very carefully and aggressively on that.

 Kevin Griffis:  OK.  I think we have time for a couple more questions.

 Operator:  Your next question comes from the line of (Laurie Wegler) with Examiner.com.

 (Laurie Wegler):     Hi, yes, it’s (Laurie Wegler).  Thank you very much, Dr. Lubchenco.  I actually just filed a story today about the ongoing expedition of Oceana out in the gulf, which is investigating deepwater, subsea oil plume, and so on and so forth, and taking tests regularly.

I wonder, since the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill is unprecedented, what model are you using as a gauge that tells you that X number of tests – that pass the tests make it OK to open these waters?

 Jane Lubchenco:    Our testing is designed to give us a representative sample of the type of seafood that would be caught in any particular area under consideration for reopening and to sample enough individuals of those different species so that we think that that sample is more than adequate to give us information about if there is any contamination.

We know that we can detect contaminants.  We know that we can measure – we can detect them and measure them.  And the areas that we have reopened have shown they have all passed our tests.

You mentioned that this area or that this spill is unprecedented.  That is absolutely the case.  And it is for that very reason that we have – that we are proceeding very cautiously.  We are focusing squarely on making sure that seafood is free of contaminants from the spill.  And we are engaging with many of our academic and federal partners in a very substantial effort to continue to monitor and understand the impacts of this spill.  And that will likely take a number of years to fully appreciate and understand what impacts have transpired.

 Kevin Griffis:  All right.  We have time for one more question.

 Operator:   Your last question comes from the line of (Ken Cooper) with Orange Beach News.

(Ken Cooper):  Hi, and thank you for taking my question.  I was wondering if you have any kind of time estimate on when the waters off of Alabama coast along the Florida panhandle would be open.

Jane Lubchenco:  (Ken), I don’t have a precise date for that.  That is an area that has been free of oil for some time.  And we have been sampling and running those tests.

I know that that area is of keen interest to many people.  And so we are proceeding as quickly as we can, but also as cautiously as we can to make sure that any seafood from that area is completely safe.  So what I can tell you is that that area has been sampled and that we will let you know as soon as we have any news to report on that.

Kevin Griffis:  All right.  Thank you, Dr. Lubchenco.

Jane Lubchenco:   Thank you, everyone. 

Kevin Griffis:   Thanks, everyone.  Please feel free to give us a call if you have follow-up questions.  Have a good day. 

Jane Lubchenco:   Kevin, let me mention one more thing.  I’m sorry.  There is a fact sheet that we have prepared that’s a one-pager that describes many of the protocols.  And a link to that fact sheet will be on the release that we will be sending to all reporters on this call.

So I’d just draw your attention to that and thank you again.

Kevin Griffis: All right.  Thank you.

Operator:  Thank you.  That does conclude today’s conference call.  You may now disconnect.

END

 


Recent Updates for Unified Command for the Deepwater BP Oil Spill | Deepwater Horizon Response

MEDIA ADVISORY: NOAA Administrator to Hold a Conference Call Briefing to Discuss the Reopening of Federal Waters Along Western Louisiana 0

Posted on August 27, 2010 by bp complaints

Key contact numbers

  • Report oiled shoreline or request volunteer information: (866) 448-5816
  • Submit alternative response technology, services or products: (281) 366-5511 
  • Submit a claim for damages: (800) 916-4893
  • Report oiled wildlife: (866) 557-1401

Deepwater Horizon Incident
Joint Information Center

Phone: (713) 323-1670
(713) 323-1671

 

WHO:  Dr. Jane Lubchenco, Administrator for National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration

WHAT:  Teleconference briefing to discuss the reopening of federal waters along Western Louisiana to commercial and recreation fishermen

WHEN:  Friday, August 27, 2010 10 a.m. EDT.  The call in number is (866) 742-3130 for domestic callers, and  (706) 643-1612 for international callers.  Conference ID # is 97597744

Recent Updates for Unified Command for the Deepwater BP Oil Spill | Deepwater Horizon Response



↑ Top