Florida Deepwater Horizon Response for Aug. 4
Under the leadership of Governor Charlie Crist, the State Emergency Response Team and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection are actively coordinating and responding to the Deepwater Horizon incident.
Message of the day: Sea turtle relocations
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, continues to relocate sea turtle eggs along Florida’s Northwest Gulf coast. Scientists began the relocation process in response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
As of July 31, workers have excavated 135 nests from the Gulf coast and placed the eggs in specially prepared coolers. FedEx trucks transported them to the East coast for keeping in climate-controlled rooms at Kennedy Space Center, where they are monitored daily.
Once the hatchlings emerge from the eggs, they are released on Central Florida beaches, where they crawl into the Atlantic Ocean. As of August 1, 2,168 hatchlings have been successfully released. The majority of the eggs are loggerheads; 131 relocated loggerhead nests produced 2,043 hatchlings for release. Three relocated Kemp’s Ridley nests produced 125 hatchlings for release. The eggs from one green sea turtle nest relocated July 31 have not yet hatched. Learn more.
Current Situation
The State Emergency Operations Center is activated at Level 1 or full activation.
The State continues to focus on mitigating impacts to Florida’s shoreline.
BP began the effort known as a static kill yesterday afternoon. After eight hours of pumping heavy drilling mud, the well appears to be static. Cement may be applied to fill the well over the next few days. Learn More.
No new oil has been discharged from the Deepwater Horizon well since July 15.
State reconnaissance teams operating by air, land and sea continue to identify potential impacts and are actively coordinating with cleanup teams. View the latest reconnaissance reports.
Although sporadic sightings of tar balls may continue, Florida’s shoreline is not expected to receive additional impacts over the next 72 hours.
Tropical Storm Colin degenerated into a tropical wave on Tuesday afternoon. There is a 20 percent chance that the remnants of Colin could redevelop into a tropical depression within the next 48 hours. Forecasts continue to show the system moving between the Bahamas and Bermuda this week. There is also a 20 percent chance that a tropical wave over the Central Caribbean Sea could develop over the next 48 hours.
Oil Impact Notices are posted for all Escambia County and Walton County Gulf beaches, as well as designated beaches in Okaloosa County. Signs may remain in place until local authorities determine that beaches are no longer impacted by the oil spill. Learn more.
The coastal state waters previously closed to the harvest of saltwater fish were reopened on July 31. The area will remain closed to the harvest of shrimp and crabs pending additional testing. Learn more.
Learn More About Florida’s Response:
Visit www.deepwaterhorizonflorida.com to learn more about Florida’s response to the Deepwater Horizon incident, sign up for daily updates, view tips for businesses and consumers, find a listing of Unified Command, BP and Florida phone numbers, and more.
The Oil Spill Information Line is available at 1-888-337-3569 from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. seven days a week. Persons with disabilities can contact 1-800-955-8771 (TDD) or 1-800-955-8770 (voice).