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June 9, 2010
Deepwater Horizon oil release update
Bay County continues to monitor oil release
 
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In This Issue
Bay County beaches remain unaffected
Bay County receives berm permit
Workforce Center seeking cleanup workers
Bay County Web site provides most current information
BP claims, outreach offices open
Bay County responds to reports of tarballs, no oil on Bay beaches
 
As of Wednesday 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 continue to respond to suspected tarball sightings. Bay County residents and visitors are asked 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. 
Bay County receives permit for beach berm in worst-case scenario
 
In an effort to protect Bay County beaches, Bay County has applied for and received a permit from the state Department of Environmental Protection to construct a berm along the length of the beach, should it become necessary. The berm would allow soiled sand to be more easily collected and disposed. Building such a berm would be a last-resort, worst-case scenario, according to Bay County Emergency Services Chief Mark Bowen. 
 
"While it's highly unlikely that we will have to build this berm, it's the least intrusive, most turtle friendly possibility anyone could come up with to protect the beach," Bowen said. "Bay County is the first to have such a beach protection plan approved." 
Workforce Center seeking potential clean-up applicants 
 
People seeking employment in any potential clean-up efforts should register with the Gulf Coast Workforce Center. BP has contracted with a private company to fill approximately 600 positions in Bay, Gulf and Franklin counties. For more information about oil spill-related jobs, click here.
Visit Bay County Web site for most current information 
 
Unified Command produces an incident action plan (IAP) every 48 hours weekdays on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The IAP contains the newest information regarding the release response in red so that it is easily discernable from more dated information. The IAP is the best way for the general public to keep abreast of all the latest news concerning the oil release. These are posted to the county's Web site for public review as soon as they are prepared and provide the most current information about the oil release.
 
To view the latest IAP, click here. You may also call the EOC information hotline at (850) 248-6030 for information.
 
Click here to visit the Bay County Web site.
 
BP claims, outreach offices open
 
BP has opened a claims office at 7938 Front Beach Road, located in the shopping plaza adjacent to the Bay Street Deli. Business owners and those who have been affected by the Deepwater Horizon oil release may use this as a resource for recouping their financial losses. BP advises that people filing claims should still call the toll-free number to enter their information into the claims database. That number is (800) 440-0858.
 
BP also has opened a community support office located at 3101 U.S. 98, across the street from Howell Marine and Tackle Supply. At this office, BP can provide information about the oil release and answer community questions.
 
Bay County continues to monitor the release and work with the U.S. Coast Guard in the ongoing effort to prepare for any effects of the oil release that may be realized here. For more information about the release and efforts being made to contain it, visit www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com.  
 
Bay County will continue to strive to provide residents and visitors with the most current information.
 
Sincerely,
 

Bay County Public Information Officer Valerie Lovett
Bay County Board of County Commissioners