Project Impact to host Mystery Family Night

The City of Apalachicola’s Project Impact afterschool program will be hosting Mystery Family Night from 5:00PM to 6:00PM on Friday, October 29, 2010.

The theme of the night, "Who stole the fun at Project Impact?” Will feature all the staff at Project Impact dressed as book characters with the parents along with their children visiting each classroom looking for clues.

The event is part of the programs monthly family nights to get parents more involved in the lives of their children.

Project Impact’s is located at the Municipal Community Service Complex, which is the former site of the Apalachicola High School off 14th Street. All is welcome to attend and snacks will be provided.

For more information, please email either Faye Johnson, Project Impact Director at fayejohnson@cityofapalachicola.com or Brittany Simmons, Marketing Director at b_simmons85@yahoo.com.

Gulf Seafood Declared 100% Safe

Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Commissioner Charles Bronson announced yesterday, Oct 27 that after extensive and continued testing there is “absolutely no evidence of oil, not a single taint of oil” in Florida seafood being caught in the Gulf of Mexico.

Bronson made the statement in response to a request from Senator Don Gaetz, Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Florida’s Economy. Gaetz said it is important that visitors to Florida and residents of the state be assured of the high quality of fish caught, consumed, and sold through the state’s recreational and commercial fishing industries.

Bronson also announced that BP would pay $20 million to his department over the next three years to fund even more enhanced seafood inspections and marketing efforts designed to bolster public confidence in Gulf seafood. The BP funds will be split equally between inspections and marketing.

The importance of getting accurate information to the public and to wholesale purchasers of Florida fish was emphasized by the Senate Select Committee in its report on the economic impact of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill.

The recreational fishing industry brings millions of tourists and $4.4 billion to Florida’s economy and commercial fishing accounts for $170 million in dock value and many hundreds of millions more in Florida fish sold in restaurants in the state and throughout the nation.

Senator Gaetz praised Commissioner Bronson for pushing BP to provide funding and for the Commissioner’s intensive efforts to test seafood and report results.

Ecosystem Restoration Task Force to Meet

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator, Lisa P. Jackson announced the first meeting of the newly created Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force.

Recognizing the Gulf Coast as a national treasure, on October 5, 2010 President Obama issued an Executive Order creating the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force, continuing the Administration's ongoing commitment to the region following the Deepwater Horizon BP oil spill.

Jackson appointed by the President to Chair the Task Force stated that the group would rely on the input of local stakeholders, state and local governments, tribes, scientists, and the public to ensure accountability in the restoration of the Gulf Coast Region.

The Task Force includes Presidential appointments of at least one senior official from each of the following executive departments. The Department of Defense; the Department of Justice; the Department of the Interior; the Department of Agriculture; the Department of Commerce; the Department of Transportation; the Environmental Protection Agency; the Office of Management and Budget; the Council on Environmental Quality; the Office of Science and Technology Policy; and the Domestic Policy Council.

The group will hold its first public meeting Monday, November 8, 2010, from 11:30AM to 4:00PM CDT at the Pensacola Civic Center - 201 E. Gregory Street - Pensacola, Florida. The meeting is open to the public, and everyone is welcome to attend.

For more information or questions, please visit www.restorethegulf.gov or either email gulfcoasttaskforce@epa.gov or call (800) 241-1754.

Early voting is under way

Early voting is under way - in fact, it began a week ago Monday, Oct 18, and it will end at 4:30PM Saturday, Oct 30.

In just 8 days, the 2010 election cycle will be finally over with the conclusion of the mid-term general election on Tuesday, Nov 2.

However, before that happens, we need to realize that we have both an opportunity and an obligation to ourselves, our community and to our state and country to vote for and elect only candidates that represent our interest and values.

As in this or any other election the polls can’t and don't vote, newspaper endorsements can’t and don't vote, mail outs can’t and don’t vote and television and radio commercials can’t don't vote either.

You and your neighbors are the only part of this whole equation that really matters and we need to be steadfast and determined with our vote to elect at all levels of government only leaders who are accountable to us.

It’s up to all of us to help shape our future, therefore if you haven’t already - don’t forget that you can vote early today Monday, Oct 25 through Saturday, Oct 30, 2010.

Community Pride

*NOTE: On Thursday, October 21, 2010, Apalachicola Seat 4, City Commissioner Brenda Ash released the following letter.

Speaking both as a City Commissioner and concerned citizen, I think it is imperative that we preserve our community. And there is a sense of urgency concerning this. Preserving our community can be done by all of us combining our efforts and working together to create and maintain a neighborly environment, one with a shared sense of community spirit where we welcome our children, encourage our youth and appreciate our senior citizens. That is the responsibility by all citizens of a community. But not only are we responsible for our community now, we owe this to the future generation; those boys and girls yet to come forth and call the Hill their home. As present-day residents, we are obligated to them; thus we must begin now fulfilling our commitment as stewards of our community.

We must join together with a united sense of urgency so the current generation, as well as those that follow, will understand that prosperity is possible in our community. I include our current generation because I feel, although not a lost group of people, with the current state of our society, the dismal economic pictures of the past years and the steady decline of employment opportunities, they have felt unmotivated, uninspired and simply disenfranchised from a life of positive possibilities.

Our “Future” needs us! They need us to ban together as a unified front of citizens and work for the betterment of our community. They need us to show them that prosperity can be achieved in our community. They need us to show them that our Hill can once again be a vibrant community with businesses that promote a family-oriented lifestyle. They need to know there is more to entrepreneurship than selling alcohol. They need us to teach them to think outside the “box” and not just settle for what's easier, but to work towards achieving positive goals for a prosperous future. And together, we can do this. United we stand divided we fall!

I'm sure you are all aware that a new business, a liquor/specialty store, is being proposed for the Hill, with its location centered right in the heart of our community-9th Street.

If this matter concerns you, please share your thoughts with the City Commission 6p.m on November 2, 2010 at 1 Bay Avenue.

Brenda Ash
Apalachicola City Commissioner
213 17th Street
Apalachicola, FL 32320
(850) 323-0590

Red Cross Training: Coping in Today’s World

The Capital Area Chapter of the American Red Cross will be offering a free course on how to cope in today’s world at the Franklin County Emergency Management Operations Center (EOC) at 1:00PM on Friday, Nov 12, 2010.

Participants will include members of the community who would like information and skills to help each other in times of stress, crisis, or disaster.

The goals of the course are to strengthen the participants own psychological resilience and that of their children, to learn how to recognize stress in adults, and in children, how people react to it and to learn how to provide immediate support and use coping skills to help others.

The four hour long course will present concepts of psychological resilience, psychological first aid, how to help children in times of stress, and resources for referral.

Educational and experiential methods will also be used to help participants learn how to handle their own stressful times, and to assist others with theirs.

“Being prepared is so important, as we learned from the Oil Spill crisis. Knowing what to do and where to go for help is vital for your own wellbeing and that of your friends and neighbors”, said Clarice Powell with the Franklin’s Promise Coalition.

The EOC is located at 28 Airport Road - West of Apalachicola, to register for the free course call (850) 878-6080.

Census Bureau releases final mail participation rates

The U.S. Census Bureau released on Thursday, Oct. 21, the final Mail Participation Rates (MPR) for the 2010 census. The MPR’s are the percentage of forms mailed back by households that received them in any particular geographical area.

Sixty-seven percent of all Franklin County residents mailed back their 2010 Census forms, which is considerably higher than the 44% achieved by the county during the 2000 Census count.

Additionally, both municipalities within the county - Apalachicola and Carrabelle surpassed their 2000 MPR’s. Apalachicola achieved a return rate of 66%, which is 13% higher than the 53% rate obtained in 2000 and a whopping 71% of Carrabelle residents returned their forms as opposed to 38% during the last count.

Carrabelle’s 2010 rate is only 3% lower than the national Mail Participation Rate.

Seventy-four percent of all households within the United States filled out and returned their 2010 Census questionnaire, matching the nations final 2000 MPR.

Data collected from the questionnaires is used to help determine the amount of Federal funding each State, County and City receives, the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives and it’s used to determine where to build new roads, hospitals, and schools.

The final 74% U.S. rate includes an additional 2 percent of households that mailed back their forms after April 27, when the U.S. Census Bureau announced a 72 percent participation rate. While these forms were received too late to prevent a visit by a census taker, they were included in the final tally.

“We are very pleased with the public's response to the 2010 Census, and these results demonstrate that the public stepped up to be counted,” Census Bureau Director Robert Groves said.

Approximately 47 million households that did not mail back a census form by the deadline were visited by census takers in person as part of a series of operations and methods to ensure as complete a count as possible. The Census Bureau either received a form or attempted repeated visits to 100 percent of the identified housing units in the country.

“As the law requires, we look forward to reporting to the nation by Dec. 31 the national and state populations as well as the allocation of seats to each state in the U.S. House of Representatives,” Groves said.

BP official addresses Clean Gulf Conference

Mike Utsler appointed by BP in early August to replace Doug Suttles as their lead representative in the Unified Area Command (UAC), recently addressed the Clean Gulf Conference in Tampa.

In his speech, Utsler provided an overview of the new BP Gulf Coast Restoration Organization, which is under the leadership of Lamar McKay, President of BP America.

This special business unit of BP will manage their ongoing response and restoration activities from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill with offices in each of the affected states, including Florida, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, and Texas.

Utsler told the conference that with the well capped and sealed, BP would now start focusing on making sure the company keep their promises to the people and environment of the Gulf Coast.

“I have seen, and felt the spill’s impact - human and environmental - first hand. I try every day to help BP deliver its promises to the people of this region”, said Utsler.

However, it was only after the urging of President Obama, that BP established the $20 billion fund for claims payments, which Ken Feinberg is currently administering through the Gulf Coast Claims Facility.

Utsler also announced that BP is working closely with state and local officials across the Gulf region to make sure that their legitimate costs in responding to the crisis are reimbursed.

, “BP looks forward to a long future here. We know that it will take time to fully understand the oil spill's environmental impact, to ensure that any remaining oil is appropriately cleaned, to remediate environmental damage, and to make sure that all legitimate claims are paid. We'll be here working on those issues, and working to make drilling safer, every day for as long it takes”, said Utsler.

“Additionally, we’re doing what we can to foster economic restoration in this region working with key industries… we are confident that the Gulf region will rebound”.

Inovia awarded Scipio Creek renovation project

At a special meeting held Tuesday, Oct 12 the Apalachicola Board of City Commissioners awarded the contract to rehabilitate and refurbish the Scipio Creek boat basin to Tallahassee engineering firm Inovia Consulting Group.

Out of the five firms that submitted Statements of Qualifications, the city commission ranked Inovia as its number one choice to oversee the project with Baskerville Donovan, Inc., out of Pensacola receiving the number two nod.

Inovia founded in 1999 by Apalachicola native Jim Waddell will oversee the $2.5 million dollar restoration project, which is slated to create up to 44 new seafood related jobs.

The city received funding for the project from various sources including the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration, the Florida Department of Community Affairs Community Development Block Grant Program and the City’s Revolving Loan Program.

In 2006, Inovia participated as a contributing consultant in the preparation of a feasibility study, funded by Enterprise Florida, Inc., to examine the viability and long term use of the boat basin.

Additionally, in August 2009, the firm assisted both the city and the Apalachee Regional Planning Council with the application for funding by preparing the preliminary engineering report for the project.

In a telephone interview with Waddell on Monday, Oct 18, the engineer said that he expects his firm to start designing the project by the end of October with construction anticipated to start six months later and project completion by early January 2012.

The Inovia Consultant Group has over 50 years of cumulative experience which include stormwater facility design, roadway design, parks and recreation, water and sewer system design and construction administration and inspection.

Collaborating with Inovia on the design and renovation is engineering firm Preble-Rish, Inc., out Port St. Joe and Architect Mark Tarmey’s 4M Design Group out of Tallahassee.

Once construction is completed, the facility will sport off loading docks for seafood, ice handling facilities, a boat repair yard and haul out facility and an open air retail market for seafood.

Memorial bench to grace Library grounds

At the Oct 12, special city meeting, former Apalachicola resident Gary Barber sought and gained city commission approval to install a memorial bench in memory of his mother on the grounds of the Apalachicola Municipal Library.

Barber told the commission that he would defray all costs associated with the installation and removal of the bench if it becomes necessary.

Barber’s mother the late Erma Barber faithfully served the City of Apalachicola as its Municipal Librarian for a period of sixteen years. The 5’ wide inscribed bench made out of Georgia grey granite is expected to arrive at the library in early November.

On a motion made by City Commissioner Frank Cook, the commission moved unanimously to grant Barber’s request.

Account setup for Lanark Village fire victims

The devastating fire that occurred in the Lanark Village area on Saturday, Oct 9 has left five homeless and in desperate need of assistance.

The early morning blaze consumed everything in its path before being extinguished by the fire department and rendered the apartment units once used as barracks during World War II uninhabitable.

Since the fire the American Legion Post #82 has collected funds to aid the victims and some emergency monies from the Red Cross have been given - however more support is needed to help the victim’s overcome their losses.

An account has been established at Gulf State Community Bank for anyone wishing to contribute a tax deductible donation.

To do so just stop by one of the conveniently located bank branches and tell one of the customer service representatives that you would like to donate to the Lanark Village Fire Fund.

Administration sends seventh bill to BP

Washington – On Thursday, Oct 14, the Obama Administration sent a seventh bill for $62.6 million to BP and other named responsible parties for response and recovery operations relating to the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. To date, the Administration has sent these seven bills to BP and other responsible parties (Transocean, MOEX, and Andarko) for oil removal costs, of which the first six have been reimbursed in full by BP.

The responsible parties are financially liable for all costs associated with oil removal, including efforts to stop the leak at its source, reduce the spread of oil, protect the shoreline and mitigate damage to the public health or welfare.

To provide full transparency of the ongoing efforts and to ensure that the American public is not held accountable for the costs of response activities, the Federal Government bills responsible parties regularly for costs approved by the Federal On-Scene Coordinator to support Federal, State, and local removal efforts and ensure the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund is reimbursed on an ongoing basis.

This is the seventh bill the Administration has sent to date. The first six bills have been paid in full by BP, totaling $518.4 million.

This invoice is based on specific Federal Government expenses that are subject to billing at this time, including expenses associated with the response of over two dozen Federal entities and agencies from four States, in accordance with the Federal On-Scene Coordinator request for assistance process. Federal response activities not subject to billing at this time, including future activities, will be billed to the responsible parties through subsequent invoices. In addition, these bills do not include any other costs for which BP and the other responsible parties are liable to any other party.

The United States Coast Guard is responsible for administering the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund to ensure rapid response to oil spills, to compensate individuals and communities harmed by oil spills, and to ensure that the costs of response and cleanup are borne by the responsible parties.

HHS Launches Oil Spill Distress Helpline

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced earlier this month the availability of a new toll-free helpline to provide information, support and counseling for families and children affected by the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Part of the Obama Administration’s long term oil spill recovery plan, the Oil Spill Distress Helpline (1-800-985-5990) links callers to behavioral healthcare services and will serve as an important resource for the localized oil spill outreach efforts in the Gulf Coast states.

“We know that residents throughout the Gulf Coast region continue to deal with the disruption to their livelihoods and communities caused by the oil spill. The resulting stress they are feeling is real and if behavioral health conditions are left untreated, we can expect that the situations these individuals and their families are living in will worsen,” said Secretary Sebelius. “The Oil Spill Distress Helpline will be a critical tool in getting people the help they need, and I want to acknowledge the state, local and federal partnership that helped get it set up and available.”

Administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the Helpline will route callers to the nearest Gulf Coast area crisis center, where trained staff from the region will answer calls and provide assistance. In addition, these crisis centers are working to provide support via text messages, a capability which will launch later this fall.

“History tells us that the emotional impact of the devastating losses experienced by individuals and families as a result of the oil spill will continue to play out over the years to come,” said SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde, J.D. “Now that the immediate response phase has come to a close, we are shifting our focus to long term recovery and being there for gulf coast residents in need of emotional strength as they rebuild their lives.”

The helpline is funded by BP’s contribution to SAMHSA, which will help states to provide counseling and support for individuals and families in the Gulf Coast region affected by the oil spill.

For more information, visit the HHS BP Gulf Oil Spill page at www.hhs.gov/gulfoilspill/index.html.

Blues in the Lot scheduled for October 23

At the Apalachicola Board of City Commissioners Oct 5 regular meeting, city officials approved a request from local resident Jerry Garlick to hold his annual Blues in the Lot Concert in historic downtown Apalachicola.

The event scheduled from 12:00PM – 6:00PM on Saturday, October 23, 2010, marks the 10th Annual Blues in the Lot Concert hosted by Garlick.

Garlick asked for permission to block off a portion of Avenue D between Verandas and 4th Street to setup for the concert a stage and seating directly in front of the historic Hays house at 48 Avenue D.

Garlick said that he’s expecting at least 1,000 people to attend the event and that a percentage of the proceeds from the $5 ticket sales will go toward band equipment for the Franklin County School.

Wilbur Smith who attended the meeting and lives a few blocks from the proposed concert site expressed concerns over the decibel level that might emanate from the event.

Commission unanimously approve Garlick’s request with the condition that he be attentive to the noise levels in the neighborhood.

H’COLA collaborates with City

Elinor Mount-Simmons, President of the Hillside Coalition of Laborers for Apalachicola, Inc., (H’COLA) appeared before the city commission at their Oct 5 meeting and requested a partnership between the City of Apalachicola and the H’COLA group.

“February 2011 marks H’COLA’s eighth annual outdoor celebration of African-American History within the City of Apalachicola. Because of the vast history of Apalachicola, including that of many African-Americans, H’COLA would like to partner with the city to extend its weekend celebration to a month-long recognition and celebration of African-American history”, said Mount-Simmons.

First recognized in 1926 as “Negro History Week”, the celebration of African-American History has been recognized in the United States and Canada since 1976 during the month of February.

Mount-Simmons told the commission that H’COLA had several ideas for events and ways to accomplish the collaboration and that the group would be more than happy to share the ideas with city officials to bring a citywide celebration to fruition.

“It is our hope that you are receptive to our idea to incorporate this nationally recognized celebration within the city. We hope that this is the beginning of a dialog between the City of Apalachicola and H’COLA as we continue to work toward the betterment of or community and our city”, Mount-Simmons concluded.

The commission unanimously moved to support the partnership and instructed City Administrator Betty Taylor-Webb to appoint a point person on behalf of the city.

City to select engineer for Scipio Creek project

The city commission opened at its Oct 5 meeting, Statements of Qualifications (SOQ) received from engineering firms vying for the contract to provide their services to renovate the Scipio Creek Boat Basin.

The Boat Basin is scheduled to receive a major facelift using funding secured this past June from the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA), along with a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), and funding from the City’s Revolving Loan Program.

The renovations will include the installation of a haul out lift, fueling station, icehouse, an unloading dock, and facilities to encourage open-air markets where local seafood harvesters could sell their catch right off the boats. The cost is expected to run $2,490,596 and afterwards create up to 44 new jobs.

Five engineering firms submitted SOQ’s for the city’s consideration, Baskerville & Donovan, Inc., out of Pensacola; North Florida Professional Services, Inc., out of Lake City; Environmental Consultant & Technology, Inc., out of Tallahassee; Inovia, out of Tallahassee; and PBS&J, out of Tallahassee.

The city commission will hold a special meeting at City Hall this afternoon at 6:00PM, Oct 12 to select the firm.

Police Department Report

Apalachicola Chief of Police Bobby Varnes told city commissioners at their Oct 5 meeting that his department responded to 200 calls during the month of September.

Varnes also briefed the commission on his department’s investigation into the alleged serial rapist purported to have attacked two Apalachicola women over a month ago. He told commissioners that the investigation is ongoing, and that he couldn’t give details at this time.

He also told the commission of the difficulty he has encountered since taking over the duties of Harbormaster. The Harbormaster’s position was eliminated from the city’s 2010/2011 Fiscal Year budget and those duties were assigned to the police department.

Varnes said that he’s going to have to start from scratch; contracts for rental slips needed to be renewed and past due rent needed to be collected.

He asked for direction from the commission to determine the correct amount to charge for slip rentals and for help tweaking the ordinance governing the marinas.

Plenty of excitement going on at Project Impact

The City of Apalachicola’s Project Impact Program wrapped up its “Enrichment Program” yesterday Oct 11, but has announced plenty of other exciting programs for the rest of October and November.

On Thursday, Oct 21, Project Impact will be hosting “Lights on Afterschool”. Lights on Afterschool is a National Campaign to draw attention to afterschool programs that keep kids safe, inspire them to learn and help working families. During the event Project Impact will be opened from 4:00PM to 6:00PM and will showcase to parents of Project Impact students “The Combustion Show”, an “explosive” special program designed by the Mary Brogan Museum out of Tallahassee.

On Friday, Oct 29, from 5:00PM to 6:00PM, the program will be hosting a fun filled Mystery Night titled, “Who stole the fun at Project Impact”? The students will travel from room to room searching for clues to solve the mystery. In each room, they will find hidden clues with the help of mysterious characters to see who stole the fun at Project Impact.

On Thursday, Nov 4, the Franklin County School will be in session for only a half day and from 12:00PM to 6:00PM, Zoo World will be at Project Impact with their mobile zoo. Zoo World has agreed to bring up to five animals from their Panama City facility for the Project Impact kids to enjoy.

On Saturday, Nov 6, starting at 10:00AM the Project Impact Drum Corp will be marching in the Seafood Festival Parade and all students are welcome.

Project Impact services students from grades PK-12 and is located at the City of Apalachicola’s Municipal Complex (formerly Apalachicola High School).

For more information about the many programs offered at Project Impact, call (850) 653-1325.

Apalachicola meets tonight in regular session

PUBLIC HEARING & REGULAR MEETING
CITY COMMISSION
CITY OF APALACHICOLA, FLORIDA
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2010 – 6:00 PM
COMMUNITY CENTER @ BATTERY PARK
#1 BAY AVENUE, APALACHICOLA, FLORIDA

AGENDA

I. PRAYER AND PLEDGE

II. PUBLIC HEARING – CDBG FAIR HOUSING INFORMATION SESSION

III. REGULAR MEETING

1. Recognition of Visitors – Gerald Garlick – Blues in the Lot Road Closure
2. Approval of September Minutes
3. Approval of August Bill List
4. Hospital Surtax
5. Scipio Creek Renovation Project Proposals
5. Mayor’s Budget Cutting Proposal Discussion
6. Chamber of Commerce Report
7. Traffic Safety Team Report
8. Library Report
9. Planning & Zoning Report
10. Fire Department Report
11. Police Department Report – Chief Varnes

12. City Administrator Report – Betty Webb

Department Reports:
1. Water & Sewer Department – William Cox
2. Street Department – Marvin Croom
3. Public Works Department – Wilbur Bellew
4. Building Department – Gene Osburn
5. City Clerk – Lee Mathes

13. Attorney Floyd Report
14. Other Visitors & Comments
15. Mayor & Commissioner’s Comments

Any person who desires to appeal any decision at this meeting will need a record of the proceeding and for this purpose, may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceeding is made which includes testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is based. Persons with disabilities needing assistance to participate in any of these proceedings should contact the City Administrator’s Office 48 hours in advance of the meeting.

Feinberg Clarifies Geographic Proximity

Yesterday, Oct 4, Kenneth Feinberg, Administrator of the Gulf Coast Claims Facility (GCCF), announced that geographic proximity to the BP oil spill would not prevent a legitimate individual or business claim from being processed.

“I have heard from elected officials in Florida, including Governor Crist, Attorney General McCollum, CFO Sink, and others, about their concerns regarding Floridians’ proximity to the spill and how, regardless of distance, there has been economic impact beyond the areas closest to the spill. After listening to these concerns, I have concluded that a geographic test to determine eligibility regarding economic harm due to the oil spill is unwarranted.”

Feinberg continues to review each claim on a case-by-case basis and claimants must prove damages resulting from the spill itself and not other causes, but “physical proximity from the spill will not, in and of itself, bar the processing of legitimate claims”, he said.

In six weeks, since the facility has been up and running, the GCCF has paid out close to one billion dollars to 50,000 individual and business claims throughout the Gulf.

2-1-1 Big Bend Launches Oil Spill Distress Helpline

TALLAHASSEE – On Friday, Oct 1, 2-1-1 Big Bend, Inc. launched the Oil Spill Distress Helpline to assist Florida residents impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The new helpline, (800) 985-5990, serves those struggling with stress, anger and resentment caused by the economic and psychological impact of the spill. Trained counselors are available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week and calls are free and confidential.

“We are honored to be selected as the response agency for Florida’s families during their time of need,” said 2-1-1 Big Bend President, Randy Nicklaus. “This helpline complements the comprehensive care we provide through our existing six hotlines and speaks to the continued need in our coastal communities.”

The U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reports that some individuals affected by the oil spill are exhibiting early signs of substance abuse and dependence, psychiatric disorders, suicidal tendencies, and familial breakdown. Administered by SAMHSA, the helpline will route callers to the nearest Gulf Coast area crisis center. It received $10 million of $52 million BP contributed to fund mental health, substance abuse support services and outreach programs in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. 2-1-1 Big Bend, Inc. received $140,000 to fund the helpline and advocacy efforts.

According to data published on Thursday, Sept 30, by the Gulf Coast Claims Facility (GCCF), 30,084 Floridians submitted a claim to cover the economic impact to the environment or their livelihoods. Yet only 17,301 have received payment. During the next 15 months, 2-1-1 Big Bend will launch a grassroots outreach effort to educate Floridians about the helpline and support services available.

“People are frustrated and overwhelmed by the spill’s impact in their communities,” said 2-1-1 Big Bend Director of Hotline Programs Rosey Ilic. “Floridians are resilient, but we know that if left untreated, the mental well-being of these individuals will dramatically deteriorate and create a more costly impact in the long run.

2-1-1 Big Bend answers more than 60,000 calls each year through its six-hotline programs. The regional 2-1-1 helpline program is a 24/7 service that assisted more than 25,000 callers last year. Thousands of people have sought help for unemployment, utilities, food, housing and mental health concerns. Anyone can dial 2-1-1 in the Capital Area for help with these issues and other concerns.

For more information about 2-1-1 Big Bend and the Oil Spill Distress Helpline, visit www.211bigbend.org. 2-1-1 Big Bend is a United Way Agency.

NOAA reopens 5,000 plus square miles in Gulf to Fishing

On Friday, Oct 1, NOAA reopened to commercial and recreational fishing 5,628 square miles of Gulf waters off eastern Louisiana, just west of the Mississippi River delta. This is the seventh reopening in federal waters since July 22.

This reopening was announced after consultation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and under a reopening protocol agreed to by NOAA, the FDA, and the Gulf states.

"Reopening these critical fishing grounds signals progress and is important for the long-term recovery of the Gulf’s commercial and recreational industries," said Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., undersecretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. "Our tests continue to reveal that Gulf seafood is safe for consumption. We will not reopen an area until we are certain the seafood from it is safe."

The total area reopened today is about two percent of federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico and 18 percent of the current closed area, as last modified on September 21. No oil or sheen has been documented in the area since August 6. At its closest point, the area to be reopened is about 75 statute miles south of the BP Deepwater wellhead.

NOAA began sampling the area on July 27 but suspended sampling when oil was observed by scientists aboard the sampling vessel. NOAA conducted a second and complete sampling of the area between August 15 and September 19 for finfish and shrimp once the area was known to be completely free of oil. Sensory analyses of 89 finfish and 25 shrimp samples, and chemical analyses of 188 finfish in 15 composites and 75 shrimp in 15 composites collected after August 15, followed the methodology and procedures in the reopening protocol. Sensory analysis found no detectable oil or dispersant odors or flavors, and the results of chemical analysis were well below the levels of concern.

NOAA will continue to take samples for testing from the newly reopened area. The agency will also continue dockside sampling to test fish caught throughout the Gulf by commercial fishermen.

Fishing closures remain the first line of defense to prevent contaminated seafood from entering the marketplace. NOAA continues to work closely with the FDA and the Gulf states to ensure seafood safety. NOAA and FDA are working together on broad-scale seafood sampling that includes sampling seafood from inside and outside the closure area, as well as dockside and market-based sampling.

The remaining closed area now covers 26,287 square miles, or about 11 percent of the federal waters in the Gulf. The boundary of the fishery closure has changed 28 times after it was first instituted on May 2, at which time it covered about 3 percent (6,817 square miles) of Gulf waters around the wellhead. As oil continued to spill from the wellhead, the area grew in size, peaking at 37 percent (88,522 square miles) of Gulf waters on June 2. To date, NOAA has re-opened more than 52,000 square miles of oil-impacted federal waters under this protocol and sampling regime.

Salazar Announces Regulations to Strengthen Drilling Safety

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Thursday, Sept 30, the U.S. Department of the Interior announced two new rules that will help improve drilling safety by strengthening requirements for safety equipment, well control systems, and blowout prevention practices on offshore oil and gas operations, and improve workplace safety by reducing the risk of human error.

“These new rules and the aggressive reform agenda we have undertaken are raising the bar for the oil and gas industry’s safety and environmental practices on the Outer Continental Shelf,” said Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, who announced the rules in a speech at the Woodrow Wilson International Center. “Under these new rules, operators will need to comply with tougher requirements for everything from well design and cementing practices to blowout preventers and employee training. They will also need to develop comprehensive plans to manage risks and hazards at every step of the drilling process, so as to reduce the risk of human error.”

The Drilling Safety Rule and the Workplace Safety Rule join a host of reforms that the Department of the Interior has undertaken in the five months since the Deepwater Horizon oil spill that touch every stage of the offshore planning, review, permitting, drilling, and development processes.

“These two rules are part of a broader series of reforms we are undertaking to reduce the risks of offshore energy operations,” said Michael R. Bromwich, director of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation, and Enforcement (BOEM). “We are substantially raising the standards for all offshore operators, and are doing it in an orderly and responsible way. We will continue to move forward with other changes and reforms in what will remain a dynamic regulatory environment. We owe the public nothing less.”

The Drilling Safety Rule, effective immediately upon publication, makes mandatory several requirements for the drilling process that were laid out in Secretary Salazar’s May 27th Safety Report to President Obama. The regulation prescribes proper cementing and casing practices and the appropriate use of drilling fluids in order to maintain well bore integrity, the first line of defense against a blowout. The regulation also strengthens oversight of mechanisms designed to shut off the flow of oil and gas, primarily the Blowout Preventer (BOP) and its components, including Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs), shear rams, and pipe rams. Operators must also secure independent and expert reviews of their well design, construction and flow intervention mechanisms.

The Drilling Safety Rule is being issued under an emergency rule-making process. Director Bromwich said that BOEM will soon move forward with a standard rulemaking process that includes greater opportunity for public comment and that considers implementing additional recommendations of the Secretary’s May 27th Safety Report, such as the requirement that BOP’s have two sets of blind shear rams.

The second regulation, known as the Workplace Safety Rule, requires offshore operators to have clear programs in place to identify potential hazards when they drill, clear protocol for addressing those hazards, and strong procedures and risk-reduction strategies for all phases of activity, from well design and construction to operation, maintenance, and decommissioning.

The Workplace Safety Rule requires operators to have a Safety and Environmental Management System (SEMS), which is a comprehensive safety and environmental impact program designed to reduce human and organizational errors as the root cause of work-related accidents and offshore oil spills. The Workplace Safety Rule makes mandatory American Petroleum Institute (API) Recommended Practice 75, which was previously a voluntary program to identify, address, and manage safety hazards and environmental impacts in their operations.

BOEM will undertake additional workplace safety reforms, such as requirements for independent third-party verification of operators’ SEMS programs, through an additional rulemaking process that BOEM will be launching soon.