Welcome to Downtown Fort Walton Beach: Florida DEP Secretary Town Hall Meeting / Volunteer Information

Secretary Sole's Outlook

Florida DEP Secretary Mike Sole’s and Senator Don Gaetz conducted a Town Hall meeting May 4th in Fort Walton Beach. 400 or more people attended. Sole is currently in charge of Florida's response to Deep Horizon and a $25,000,000 grant from BP to coordinate response.

Sole’s best news was that it is possible Okaloosa and its neighboring Northwest Florida counties could survive the Deepwater Horizon oil spill with minimal damage.

1. Sole predicted Northwest Florida will see “a light staining of sand, tar balls and some blotches come up.”

“I don’t expect to see a large quantities, large areas of the beach covered and black,” he said. “But I think we’ll feel some effect.”

2. He also said it’s likely that clumps of emulsified oil will begin turning up in the area two or three months from now.

3. Sole spoke of past experience with an oil spill in the Tampa area and stated that most visitors were not even aware of the problem. They had folks that walked the beaches early in the morning and reported oil stains or tar balls. He referred to it as "product". The product was then removed prior to any visitors were on the beach. This process will probably take place here. Tar balls will wash ashore from time to time and they will be removed.

Volunteer Opportunities:

Sole recommended volunteers sign up on state web-site. My experience the site times out and I was not able to register. I found other options listed below. Sole did see there was a need for more training opportunities and he would work to make more of them available at no cost. BP rep also stated to maintain a log of hours and that they would donate $10per hour to local charities assisting with the cause.

1. The State of Florida needs Coast Watchers to report oil in the water and on land. No special training is needed. CLICK HERE FOR COAST WATCHER HANDOUT

2. Florida citizens are encourage to volunteer through state web-site: http://www.volunteerfloridadisaster.org (I have tried to access site and it times out one you click for local volunteer centers.) You may also call: 1-866-448-5816

3. Keeping the beaches clean will help efforts to clean any oil that comes ashore.

CLICK HERE DEP Clean Beaches Hand Out

4. Emerald Coast Keepers is a great organization providing services in Escambia county: http://www.emeraldcoastkeeper.org/
This was on their site today:
We have only heard of training in Escambia County right now. They have set-up online self-registration at www.BeReadyEscambia.com/training.The Citizen Information Line will be able to register people for classes who do not have computer access between the hours of 8a.m. and 5 p.m. each day. The Citizen Information number is (850) 471-6600. They will continue to add additional classes as these fill up.

DO NOT attempt to clean oil or handle wildlife without proper training, materials washing ashore are extremely toxic!

5. Walton County Residents:

Residents looking to volunteer their time toward prevention and clean-up in Walton County are asked to go to the home page of the Walton County Sheriff’s Office web site, www.waltonso.org and complete an Oil Spill Volunteer Application. The Application can be emailed to ccox@waltonso.org, faxed to 267-1350 or you may drop your application off at the Santa Rosa Beach Substation Monday through Friday 8 AM through 5 PM. In addition, the web site will keep the public informed of any development concerning this incident and potential impacts. Call 267-2000 for more info..

Training is in three modules:

Mod. 1 - 45 min.: for general public volunteers ("unpaid") with NO contact with spill product or affected wildlife.

Mod. 2 - 45 min.(in addition to Mod. 1): will emphasize safety for those "paid" volunteers and employees working for contractors

Mod.3 - 4 hours (in addition to Mod.s 1 & 2): For Agency employees and personnel associated with entities such as Humane Society, Friends of Beaches; Turtle Rescue op.s etc.; to be presented along with Mod.s 1&2 for a total 6 hour training course.

6. The Red Cross is asking for volunteers to help clean up the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.: If
you're interested in volunteering in Bay County for the oil spill, you can e-mail your name, phone number, and e-mail address to: oilspill@redcrosscpc.org

7. Emerald Coast Wild Life Refuge are working closely with BP and Tri-state Bird Rescue and will soon be integrated into the hotline system. In order to more accurately track oiled wildlife related to this spill, if you find a suspected oiled animal, contact the Oiled Wildlife Hotline: 1-866-557-1401.... All reports in our response area will be forwarded to our team.Wild Life Effects-http://www.tristatebird.org/response/effects

In preparation for the oil slick, we need the following. Please drop items at 406 Mountain Dr, Destin FL 32541 between 9am-3pm. Thank you!

Plastic storage bins with lids (18-24 Gal)/Baby blankets/towels/Heating pads w/out auto shut-off (older models)/Heat lamps/Plastic stock tanks (Tractor Supply) 100 gal or larger/...Portable swim pool (non-inflatable) not shallow baby pools/Cash donations for medical supplies

Below are items to add to our Wish List of supplies needed for the oil spill. Items can be dropped at 406 Mountain Dr, Destin FL 32548. As always, we appreciate your support. Gift Cards - Visa (can be spent anywhere), Lowe's, Home Depot, Walmart, etc/Monetary donations to cover items not readily available to the public.../Heavy duty plastic garbage bags/Plastic trash cans/Paper towels/Bottled water

Question's from the Audience:

1. What is being done to secure the Destin Pass?

Booms may be placed but, they don't feel they will be effective due to the choppy pass and strong current. The state is also concerned about closing pass prematurely and shutting down navigable waters. Even though they don't have a lot of confidence in the booms, they will be placed. DEP is accepting alternative plans proposed by counties and other agencies. Sole has been working with command center in Mobile, Al to push through viable proposed plans. Alternate plans may be submitted by calling: (281) 366-5511.

Coast Watcher's (especially offshore fisherman) are our best defense. The skimmers are effective off shore for patches of oil when reported. If they see oil in the Gulf report immediately to 1-866-448-5816 / If spotted in Okaloosa County waters call 311.

2. Is our seafood safe? Yes, it is safe and cobia are running.

3. Can Snapper Season be opened early? 1st response from Sec.Sole was that it was a federal issue and he does not see that happening. Senator Gaetz stepped in and promised to contact proper chain of command and request to Open Snapper Early.

4. Is the water safe to swim in? Yes, there is no current danger swimming in our waters. Our water's are closely being monitored and he does not see any reason to close waters in the near future.

5. Can grant money be allocated to TDC and Chamber to promote area? No, but state officials promised to step up the Visit Florida program and promote our area as a clean safe place to visit.

6. What chemicals are being dispersed into the water and are there health risks? Sole stated they will get a list of all chemicals being used to fight spill and chemicals from the spill itself and forward to local health services for treatment to exposure. Water samples are being taken daily and at this time there are no dangerous chemicals in our water. OUR WATER IS SAFE!

7. Can the Navy and Air Force be deployed to fight spill? They already have been.

BP Claims: 1-800-440-0858

Everyone affected is encouraged to open a claim today. When calling to make claim you will be advised what records, documents, etc. are need for future impact. It is import you find out what you need specifically for your claim. The longer you wait the more difficult it will be produce proper documentation.

CAUTION: Be careful closing claim too early...make sure if you close claim that it does not prohibit you from future claims. If you close your claim and need further assistance contact the Coast Guard 1-800-280-7118.

Some folks at the meeting complained about claim line being busy or hour long waits. Most folks I know stated their average hold time was 15 minutes. BP stated they will add more reps to answer phone lines and reduce wait time.

For more information about eligible compensation under Oil Pollution Act: http://uscg.mil/npfc/

Helpful Contacts and Links:

Okaloosa County Residents are encouraged to report any oil or affected wildlife by calling : 311