This week, the Florida Legislature is being called into a special session to consider a ballot measure to permanently ban drilling in Florida waters. A ballot measure will allow the people to decide whether or not the state should engage in nearshore oil and gas exploration.
Please take the time to contact your local Senator and Representative and share your feelings on nearshore drilling. For Tallahassee residents and those willing to travel, 14 groups have gathered to organize a rally “Hands at the Capitol” and lobby day on Tuesday, July 20. You can learn more here.
Let’s get this issue on the ballot, and let the people decide!
The Deepwater Horizon has now leaked an estimated 3.5 million gallons of oil. Recently BP attempted to cap the leak with a containment dome. In only a day, the dome became blocked by hydrate crystals and had to be removed. BP is now considering a smaller containment dome, which will perhaps be less likely to fill with crystals. Also being considered, a “junk shot” where debris is pumped under high pressure directly into the blowout preventer, to stop the leak.
Meanwhile, tar balls have begun to wash up on Dauphin Island, Alabama and NOAA officials have warned that oil could be on shore in the Mississippi Delta, Breton Sound, the Chandeleur Islands by Tuesday.
Also of concern is the risk of the oil spill reaching the Loop Current, pulling the oil through the Florida Keys and up the eastern coast. The Current is positioned significantly south of the spill, but both the Current and the spill are on the move.
Finally, if you’re volunteering with pre-spill landfall beach cleanups, please take a moment to review these suggestions from the Audubon Society. It’s nesting season for shorebirds, and in the past few weeks nests have been inadvertently damaged by beach cleaners. Remove only man-made litter, stay below the tidal line , leave pets at home, leave natural debris in place. Please read their full list of suggestions here.
Thank you to volunteers, and please continue to check back for the latest news, information and resources.
On April 20, BP’s Deep Horizon rig exploded approximately 130 miles southeast of News Orleans in the Gulf of Mexico. The rig subsequently sank on April 22. Since that horrific incident, the Deep Horizon rig has been pouring an estimated 5,000 barrels of oil a day into the Gulf. The slick has already reached Louisiana and is expected to reach Mississippi and Alabama by Monday. From Thursday to Friday the slick more than tripled in size, from approximately 1,150 square miles to 3,850 square miles. Please visit the links below to learn how you can help the Gulf Coast respond and recover from this tragic indent. Don’t Drill Florida will continue to keep you updated and informed of new developments.
Facebook: Volunteer in the Panhandle
Sierra Club: Volunteer to help with the Gulf Coast oil spill
Mobile Baykeeper: Volunteer Information
Audubon of Florida: Volunteer to rescue injured birds
Deepwater Horizon Response
Oil Spill Volunteers: Cleanup in Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama
Volunteer Florida
