News Releases
UF/IFAS: Not all sheens oil
Date posted: 07/02/2010 04:36:45 PM
After responding to more than a dozen reports of oil sheens and mousse off Bay County beaches Thursday night and Friday morning, none were confirmed to have been oil product, Bay County Emergency Services Chief Mark Bowen said.
In an effort to assist people in discerning what substances are actually biological in nature, rather than oil product, Franklin County Sea Grant Agent and UF/IFAS Extension Program Director Bill Mahan issued a news release outlining some substances commonly mistaken for oil. The following information may help Bay County residents and visitors determine what might be oil versus a natural substance floating in the water. Bay County still encourages anyone who believes they may spot oil product in the water to report the sighting to the Bay County hotline at 248-6030 or the Florida response hotline at 1-877-272-8335.
Not all sheens on the water, dark spots/blobs on beaches and foamy/frothy material floating around in the water are caused by oil, Mahan says. In fact, Mother Nature produces these oil look-a-likes all the time. This is especially true during this time of the year.
According to Mahan, some of Mother Nature's look-a-like oil spill products include:
Oily Sheen on the Water's Surface: A silvery or rainbow-colored sheen on the water surface may be related to a petroleum product; however, it may also be related to natural biological sources such as the presence of iron, decomposition of organic matter, or the presence of certain bacteria. Naturally occurring sheens are usually silver or relatively dull in color that breaks up into small patches of sheen when disturbed. Petroleum sheens tend to be shiny, rainbow-colored and if disturbed the oil patches will come back together.
Tar Balls: A general description of a tar ball is weathered oil that has formed a pliable ball, varying in size from a pinhead to about a foot across. Sheen may or may not be present around them. At this time, we have had a number of confirmed tar ball reports in the Florida Panhandle. However, before real tar balls were coming ashore, initial tar ball reports in Destin were identified as skate egg cases. Also pieces of peat and small sea cucumbers have been called in as possible tar balls.
Foam Lines/Mousse: Oil, or sheen oriented in lines or streaks out on the water can easily be confused with algal/vegetative scum collected in tidal convergence lines. Sometimes called streaks, stringers or fingers, they are commonly found floating in near and offshore Gulf waters. They are often a collection of seagrasses, Sargassum/seaweeds and protein scum/foam moving with the tides and wind.
Dark, Oil-like Patches of Sand on the Beach: Several reports of black oil-like patches on the beach have been reported in the Florida Panhandle. When investigated, the dark patches of sand were found to be caused by ‘June Grass’ clumps of sea grass or several different types of algae that wash up on our beaches in June and other times of the year. These algae and sea grass, as they are moved back and forth by the wave action in the intertidal zone, break up into small dark pieces and can leave behind an area of dark-colored stained sand.
Other Sightings/Rumors: In early May, in the Destin area, a common rumor making the rounds was that sharp glassy fragments washing up on local beaches were fiberglass remains of the booms used to collect the oil out in the Gulf. When investigated, the fragments were the exoskeletons of an animal called a pterpod. Commonly called sea butterflies, these marine snails shed their exoskeleton when they die. The pointed part of the shell can prick people’s feet if they step on them. However, they pose no threat to people.
Bill Mahan may be reached at (850) 653-9337, 697-2112 x 360; or via e-mail at bmahan@ufl.edu.
Bay County offers important information for businesses/workers affected by oil r
Date posted: 06/07/2010 01:31:42 PM
As tourism and marine industry businesses and workers face compounding losses from the effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil release, opportunities for recouping money exist.
BP has established a toll-free number, 1-800-440-0858, and claim system for people affected by the oil to recover lost income or damage-related expenses. People seeking reimbursement from BP should file a claim at the toll-free number. After doing so, they may also visit BP’s local claims office, located at 7938 Front Beach Road in the shopping plaza adjacent to Bay Street Deli. The office is open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
For those not satisfied with BP’s resolution, there is an additional avenue for assistance available through the U.S. Coast Guard, once BP has finalized a claim. People who have already pursued the BP claims process unsatisfactorily may call 1-800-280-7118.
More information about what types of damages are eligible for compensation under the Oil Pollution Act, as well as guidance on how to seek such compensation, are located at www.uscg.mil/npfc.
The following additional tips may assist business owners/workers in recouping financial losses:
•Florida residents should not sign any documents provided to them in return for money from BP or anyone else until they know the extent of their losses, which may be significantly higher than the money being paid.
•The Attorney General’s fraud hotline is open to receive any reports of fraud or price gouging. The hotline is 1-866-966-7226.
•The Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner gas price-gouging hotline is also operational. The toll-free hotline number is 1-800-HELP-FLA (1-800-435-7352).
•Hotel and condominium owners should take detailed records of cancelled reservations. It is important that when these cancellations occur, the cancelling party is questioned whether the cause is because of the oil spill. If the answer is yes, keep a record of the person’s name and contact information, and also the revenues lost as a result of the cancellation.
•Calculate estimated losses for a six-week period and be able to provide records, sales receipts and documentation to support such a claim. A good idea would be to compare business now to a five-year average of revenues between May and June, which can offer insight as to the damages incurred.
•Businesses, including shops, restaurants, sport-fishing charters, watersports rental companies, etc. that may be negatively impacted, are asked to keep detailed profit and loss records should a claim need
to be presented.
•Make a detailed list of assets – including non-structural – and include appropriate records to support the list. For example: if a hotel or restaurant is within walking distance to the beach and that beach has oil reach its shores, the business’ assets are damaged even though there is no physical damage to the structure, and it is important to record this depreciation.
•Be wary of insurance settlement scams.
•For businesses who may have already begun the claims filing process with BP, first, make sure you are dealing with authorized representatives from BP and not scam artists; and be careful not to sign waivers of liability too quickly without getting adequate legal and financial counsel.
•In all circumstances, affected businesses should file a claim with BP via the hotline number – 1-800-440-0858.
Lost income
•All claimants will be directed to a hotline (1-800-440-0858) that is manned by people specializing in oil spill claims.
•According to BP, payments will be made to address immediate issues associated with property damage or loss of income due to the oil spill. The company is providing interim payments to claimants who are not receiving ordinary income while the cleanup is under way.
•Within 48 hours of receiving supporting documentation (e.g. tax return) the claim will be evaluated and the claimant will be notified of an advance payment for the claim. The equivalent of one month's income will be paid and these payments will continue until they are able to return to work or their overall claim is resolved. If a claim is rejected the person will be notified in writing of non-payment.
•A link to information on some of the types of claims available and who can submit each claim is available at www.uscg.mil/npfc/Claims/default.asp#types_of_claims.
More resources
•Florida CFO Alex Sink announced that her Department of Financial Services’ toll-free Consumer Help Line, at 1-877-My-FL-CFO (1-877-693-5236), is prepared to assist business owners impacted by the oil spill. Specialists are available from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and information is also available at www.MyFloridaCFO.com.
•Additional guidance to help small businesses survive a disaster can be found at www.MyFloridaCFO.com or by calling 1-850-413-3089 or toll-free at 1-877-MY-FL-CFO (1-877-693-5236). Insurance specialists on the Helpline can answers questions about the claim filing process as it becomes available, but claims for damage or lost income should be filed with BP at 1-800-440-0858.
•To register as a consultant, contractor, vendor or submit information on alternative response technology, services products or suggestions, call
BP at 281-366-5511.
•For the Vessels of Opportunities Program, call 281-366-5511.
Animal Control to offer free pet vaccines
Date posted: 06/07/2010 01:06:21 PM
Bay County Animal Control will offer a free pet vaccine clinic from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 19 at the shelter located at 6401 Bayline Dr., across from the Waste-to-Energy facility.
The clinic will provide free rabies and regular vaccinations for dogs and cats belonging to Bay County residents. All of the vaccines are being paid for by donated funds.
"We have had very generous donations that are allowing us to give these vaccines for free to those who have pets in need," said Jim Crosby, BCAC director.
At the last free vaccine clinic, BCAC vaccinated more than 1,100 pets in a single day, many of whom had never been vaccinated, Crosby said. BCAC is prepared for approximately 2,000 animals this year, he said.
Vaccinations can cost between $25 and $100, he said.
"In these tough economic times, we hope we can provide some relief for Bay County pet owners," Crosby said.
BCAC will also provide discounted pet microchipping at the event. Microchips will cost $5 each, and are vital for pet identification in the event of an accident, disaster or hurricane and assist the reunification of separated pets and owners. The microchips will be available to all animal owners, even if they are having their pets vaccinated the day of the event.
For more information, call 767-3333.
Residents should call local hotline to report potential tarball sightings
Date posted: 06/06/2010 04:06:23 PM
As of Sunday afternoon, no reports have been confirmed of petroleum product originating from the Deepwater Horizon oil release washing up on Bay County shores, though Bay County hazardous materials teams have responded to suspected tarball sightings. Bay County residents and visitors are asked to continue to survey the beaches and report any suspected petroleum product or odor to authorities by calling the local hotline at 248-6030. Upon receipt of a reported petroleum product or odor, the Bay County Emergency Operations Center will immediately deploy Bay County hazmat personnel to collect and test the item(s), meanwhile the information will also be forwarded to Unified Command and other designated responders. Residents and visitors should not handle any suspicious material, but rather allow properly trained technicians to address the issue.
Residents and visitors may also visit www.baycountyfl.gov for more information about the oil release and to sign up for E-mail notifications concerning Bay County's response to the release. To report materials or odor that may be related to the oil release, or for general information about the oil release, please call 248-6030.
Unified Command continues boom placement efforts
Date posted: 05/08/2010 03:47:40 PM
While Bay County remains outside the area of uncertainty for any impact by the Deepwater Horizon oil release, Unified Command continued Saturday its effort to install marine protection booms along the coast. Booms are floating barriers that help contain or direct floating oil.
As the booms are placed in local waters, the public is cautioned not to tamper with or displace booms. All watercraft should keep a safe distance from booms.
Please report instances of unmoored boom to U.S. Coast Guard Call Channel 16 or the Bay County Citizens Information Center at 850-248-6030.
For more information about the Deepwater Horizon oil release response, please visit www.baycountyfl.gov.
Unified Command sets up call center
Date posted: 05/08/2010 03:46:40 PM
The Unified Command, based at the Bay County Emergency Operations Center, established a local informational phone line for issues related to the Deepwater Horizon oil release response. Area residents may call 248-6030 to speak with an operator for information concerning the oil release.
Questions may also be answered by visiting the Bay County Web site, located at www.baycountyfl.gov.
Unified Command begins staging operations
Date posted: 05/08/2010 03:45:28 PM
While Bay County remains well outside the "area of uncertainty" for landfall of oil emitted from the Deepwater Horizon oil release, the U.S. Coast Guard has selected the Panama City Marina as a staging area for preventative measures in the Florida Panhandle.
The Bay County Emergency Operations Center has been activated to Level 1, establishing a coordinated prevention effort with the U.S. Coast Guard and the private sector.
The Coast Guard outlined its plans for protecting Bay County's bay from any potential effects of the oil release. Boom will be placed throughout large swaths of Bay County waterways, placing priority on avoiding any contaminant access to the bays. Deflection boom will be placed at the entrance to the pass, while farther north, inside the bay, additional boom will be strategically placed to further protect environmentally sensitive areas. Public boating will remain open unless Bay County is affected by the spill, in which case channels will be closed at incoming tides and opened to vessels at outgoing tides. Bay County's beaches remain open and unaffected by the oil release, and booming activities will not impede beachgoers.
British Petroleum (BP), via the Coast Guard, has secured five crew boats to transport boom from the Panama City Marina to Vessels of Opportunity, or boats hired locally that will deploy boom according to the local action plan.
For information about the USCG boom plan, how to become a Vessel of Opportunity or any other information concerning Bay County’s response to the event, please visit www.baycountyfl.gov.
Masons to lay cornerstone at library
Date posted: 03/03/2010 12:38:05 PM
Following an American tradition dating back hundreds of years, local Masons will gather at the Bay County Library at 10 a.m. Friday morning to lay a cornerstone at the building to demonstrate their support of "intellectual light."
"The Masons support anything to do with learning and the search for light, and in this case, it's intellectual light," District 6 Deputy Grand Master Wayne Wert said.
The laying of the cornerstone will be the first in several decades in Bay County – the last was placed at the former Bay County Library at the Panama City Marina in 1966.
"Since we became a nation, most of the leaders of our country have been members of the Masonic order, and the Masonic principles reflect our nation's principles," Bay County Commissioner Jerry Girvin, a Mason, said.
He said it is customary for government buildings to have a cornerstone laid by the Masonic order, pointing to George Washington's laying of the cornerstone at the U.S. Capitol in 1793. The custom, he said, has fallen by the wayside in Bay County.
"We're very pleased that it's being reborn, and hopefully, this will remind people that we are truly one nation, under God," Girvin said.
District 6, which includes Bay County, has 11 Masonic lodges and some 1,600 members in this district, Wert said. The Masons are the oldest philanthropic fraternity in the world and provide millions in donations to various causes in the United States and abroad each year.
Three Bay County Commissioners are members of the organization, including Girvin, Commissioner Mike Thomas and Commissioner George Gainer.
The general public is invited to attend the event.
For more information, call Bay County Public Information Officer Valerie Lovett at 248-8170.