Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–August 31, 2010.
PAST 24 HOURS
Admiral Allen Provides an Update on the Impacts of Severe Weather on the Response
After a private meeting and a tour of the Plaquemines Parish marsh, National Incident Commander Admiral Thad Allen and Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser provided a briefing to inform Louisiana residents and answer questions on the administration-wide response to the BP oil spill at Myrtle Grove Marina in Port Sulphur, La. Admiral Allen reported on the continued suspension of some response operations due to severe weather. Both officials recognized the importance of cooperation between the federal government and local officials to the cleanup effort.
FWS Personnel Continue Wildlife Rescue and Recovery Missions Across the Region
From Houma, La., Incident Command Post, 238 personnel, 75 vessels and two helicopters have been deployed for reconnaissance and recovery operations, responding to 42 calls on the Wildlife Hot Line. From the Mobile, Ala., Incident Command Post, 21 two-person teams, 19 vessels participated in reconnaissance and wildlife rescue and recovery missions, responding to 28 calls. To report oiled wildlife, call (866) 557-1401.
Approved SBA Economic Injury Assistance Loans Surpass $24.8 Million; Deferments Granted on Existing Disaster Loans Top $5 Million Per Month
SBA has approved 285 economic injury assistance loans to date, totaling more than $24.8 million for small businesses in the Gulf Coast impacted by the BP oil spill. Additionally, the agency has granted deferments on 895 existing SBA disaster loans in the region, totaling more than $5 million per month in payments. For information on assistance loans for affected businesses, visit the SBA’s Web site at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance, call (800) 659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the hearing impaired), or email [email protected].
By the Numbers to Date:
- The administration has authorized the deployment of 17,500 National Guard troops from Gulf Coast states to respond to this crisis; currently, 1,127 are active.
- More than 21,700 personnel* are currently responding to protect the shoreline and wildlife and cleanup vital coastlines.
- More than 3,850 vessels* are currently responding on site, including skimmers, tugs, barges, and recovery vessels to assist in containment and cleanup efforts—in addition to dozens of aircraft, remotely operated vehicles, and multiple mobile offshore drilling units.
- Approximately 1.78 million feet of containment boom** and 9.23 million feet of sorbent boom have been deployed to contain the spill—and approximately 2.54 million feet of containment boom and 2.55 million feet of sorbent boom are available.
- More than 34.7 million gallons of an oil-water mix have been recovered.
- Approximately 1.84 million gallons of total dispersant have been applied—1.07 million on the surface and 771,000 sub-sea. Approximately 577,000 gallons are available.
- 411 controlled burns have been conducted, efficiently removing a total of more than 11.14 million gallons of oil from the open water in an effort to protect shoreline and wildlife. Because calculations on the volume of oil burned can take more than 48 hours, the reported total volume may not reflect the most recent controlled burns.
- 17 staging areas are in place to protect sensitive shorelines.
- Approximately 126 miles of Gulf Coast shoreline is currently experiencing moderate to heavy oil impacts—approximately 111 miles in Louisiana, 10 miles in Mississippi, 3 miles in Alabama, and 2 miles in Florida. Approximately 499 miles of shoreline are experiencing light to trace oil impacts—approximately 229 miles in Louisiana, 94 miles in Mississippi, 64 miles in Alabama, and 112 miles in Florida. These numbers reflect a daily snapshot so that planning and field operations can more quickly respond to new impacts; they do not include cumulative impacts to date, or shoreline that has already been cleared.
- Approximately 48,114 square miles of Gulf of Mexico federal waters remain closed to fishing in order to balance economic and public health concerns. Approximately 80 percent remains open. Details can be found at http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/.
- To date, the administration has leveraged assets and skills from numerous foreign countries and international organizations as part of this historic, all-hands-on-deck response, including Argentina, Belgium, Canada, China, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Qatar, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, the United Nations’ International Maritime Organization, the European Union’s Monitoring and Information Centre, and the European Maritime Safety Agency.
*The decreases in personnel and equipment are a result of the temporary suspension of some response operations due to the effects of severe weather.
**The decrease in boom numbers is due to the continued recovery of displaced boom. Once recovered, this boom must be decontaminated, repaired, inspected, and certified before being staged or redeployed. New boom is being deployed in some areas.
Source: deepwaterhorizonresponse.com
