County creates idea hotline as it calls on BP to beef up pass protection (with PHONE NUMBERS)

Okaloosa County is advocating and requesting more substantial protection for Destin East Pass be reviewed by British Petroleum (BP), United States Coast Guard and Unified Command in Mobile. Ideas in which they would like reviewed include:

• Closing Pass
• Placement of Barges in Pass
• Utilizing an Air Curtain that would force oil to the surface to then be captured

“It is not acceptable to wait for the oil to reach the beach and then clean it up,” stated Commission Chairman Wayne Harris. “Additionally, it is imperative we protect the Destin East Pass in order to protect our bays, bayous and inland waterways.”

Okaloosa County, with the assistance of Coastal Engineering, has launched a phone number for individuals to call if they have ideas for clean up, protecting our shores or anything relating to the Deep Horizon Oil Spill. The phone line at 1-850-270-SAND will have an automated message and ask callers to leave a name, phone number and information; however, the phone will be manned and answered Sunday through Saturday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. An e-mail address is also available:  okaloosaoilresponse@gmail.com.              

The majority of impacts to Florida’s shoreline will likely be highly weathered, in the form of tar balls, oil sheen, tar mats or mousse — a pudding-like oil/water mixture that could be brown, rust or orange in color.  Okaloosa County continues to place booms in the East Pass. Pilings were driven into the pass Friday to allow a more sustainable anchoring system to keep boom in place.

Phone Numbers, Addresses and Web Sites:

• Okaloosa Co.: 311, 8 for recording or 0 for operator and 850-423-4894 out of area. Twitter:  OKALOOSAEOC and ideas/questions: 850-270-SAND (7263); Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge:  850-837-1880
• Access Florida (food stamps, cash, Medicaid), call 1-888-444-4358 or visit www.myflorida.com/access/CPSlookup
• BP Claims office: 348 Miracle Strip Parkway, Suite 13, in Fort Walton Beach. Hours are 8:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m., daily; 1-800-440-0858; www.myfloridacfo.com
• The Small Business Administration (SBA): Destin Community Center Annex (Senior Center), 108 Stahlman Avenue, Destin, FL, 32541; 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday. www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance/.

State:

•BP Claims Page:  http://www.dep.state.fl.us/deepwaterhorizon/claims.htm

•Water & Air sampling: http://www.airnow.gov/ or http://www.epa.gov/bpspill/

• http://response.restoration.noaa.gov.
•  If oil is sighted on Florida’s coastline report it to the State Warning Point at 1-877-2-SAVE-FL (1-877-272-8335) or by dialing #DEP from most cell phones.
• To discuss spill related damage with BP representatives, please call the BP Claims Reporting Line at 1-800-440-0858.
• Florida’s open and closed fishing harvest areas 1-800-357-4273.
• Boat traffic needing access in or out of boom locations, should call 1-850-736-2261.
• Health Information: brief contact with small amount of oil harmless, but not recommended. DO NOT PICK IT UP. Report it to the Florida State Warning Point by calling #DEP from a cell phone or 1-877-2-SAVE-FL (1-877-272-8335). Visit: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/deepwaterhorizon/files/faq_doh_051010.pdf
• Florida Poison Information Centers at 1-800-222-1222.      
• Oil Spill Information Line 1-888-337-3569 from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Persons with disabilities: (800) 955-8771 (TDD) or (800) 955-8770 (voice).
• Environmental Protection (FDEP):  www.dep.state.fl.us/deepwaterhorizon
• Florida Fish & Wildlife:  www.myfwc.com
• Florida State Emergency Operations Center: www.floridadisaster.org/index.asp
• Volunteers visit www.volunteerfloridadisaster.org
• National Pollution Funds Center – oil spill claims:  www.uscg.mil/npfc/claims/default.asp.
• Environmental hotline & community info: 866-448-5816; Learn more at http://www.airnow.gov/ or http://www.epa.gov/bpspill/.
• Wildlife distress: 866-557-1401
• General Assistance, service, technology: 281-366-5511
• Vessels of Opportunity: 425-745-8017
• Joint Incident Command website: www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com
• Victim of Fraud: (866) 720-5721