Governor Crist Requests $100 Million From BP For Continued Oil Spill Response
Governor Charlie Crist today sent a letter to Lamar McKay, president of BP America, requesting $100 million to cover the costs of the critical and time sensitive response to threats from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill to Florida’s seabed, water column, surface and shoreline.
The Sunshine State has over 1,260 miles of coastline along the Gulf of Mexico.
Our coastal areas host our tourist destination, fishing industry and many natural areas.
Collectively, they generate $526 billion for Florida’s economy. Importantly, they are home to some of the most sensitive and precious ecosystems in the world.
The destructive spill is already having an impact on Guld of Mexico coastal areas, and the threat to our state is real and imminent.
If we are to adequately protect Florida’s economy and environment, we must act in a swift and orgaized manner to monitor, evaluate and respond to the contantly changing conditions.
I have counseled with Florida’s many research, scientific and private organization who are presently involved in monitoring and responding to the evolving conditions in the Gulf. In order to assure tha tflorida is highly involved in the process of dealing with this threat, I have directed these organizations to prepare a plan that outline critical and immediat response needs and specifies action steps to be taken.
An important step in this response is descried in the attached Florida Institute of Oceanography (FIO) Response Proposal. A critical component of this effort is the need to maintain an independent, real-time monitoring capability, and documentation of the evolving conditions in order to respond to the threats to Floridas seabed, water column, surface and shoreline.
The proposal also provides for the development of technologies that improve the ability to detect and remediate oil spills in the Gulf, before they cause irreparable harm. This event has attracted an array of suggested technologies that must be evaluated and enhanced.
Clearly, it is important with respect to both the existing spill and potential future incidents, that we improve our ability to quickly capture and mitigate the hazard’s threat to the environment and economy.
You recently announced a pledge of $500 million for an independent research and evaluation of the effects of oil spillage.
The FIO Response Proposal will be the first step for the state of Florida in accomplishing the mutual goals that were stated. Although I understand your desire to appoint an independent advisory group to evaluate research proposals, the immediacy of the need described in the enclosed proposal requires that Florida join in the initial steps of the monitoring and mitigation program.
Florida’s interests are urgent and unique. Our stat represents a substantial portion of the marine recreational fishing in America.
Our wide Gulf shelf supports a multi billion dollary fishing industry and the Florida Keys are a national marine sanctuary. The potential impact of the spill on our economy, habitat and coastal communities demands that our state have a leadership role in the response.
As you can see from the enclosed summary, the federal, state and private partners involved in the FIO Response Proposal is an impressive assembly of expertise and didecation to this issue.
In order to implement the activities described in the proposal, I am asking BP to immediately commit $100 million to be spent in this critical and time sensitive effort.
The FIO team has advised me that they can begin deployment of the monitoring system immediately.
Thank you in advance for your continued responsiveness to the challenges resulting from the Deepwater Horizon incindent.
Sincerely,
Charlie Crist
Florida Beach Closures and State Parks Closures:
Florida’s state parks are all open for public enjoyment.
This website will be updated to list any parks that may be impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
To date, there have been no impacts to beaches in Florida.
Visitors with camping or cabin reservations will be notified if their stay will be impacted.
If you have any questions, please call (850) 245-2157.
Topics: 2010, animals, beaches, BP, British Petroleum, business, coastline, Deepwater Horizon, Department of Commerce, Economy, emergency response, environment, environmental impact, fire, fisherman, Fishery Failure Determination, fishing, Florida, Florida seafood products, GOHSEP, Governance, government, Governor Charlie Crist, Gulf of Mexico, Halliburton, loans, moniter, monitor, natural disaster, news, Obama Administration, Oil Rig, oil rig explosion, oil spill, Panhandle, pollution, President Obama, tourism, Transocean, U.S., UCG, United States, VISIT FLORIDA marketing campaign, White House, www.visitflorida.com
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