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Florida DEP Scales Back Oil Response Efforts
07/29/10 - 07:34 PM
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Now that the threat of oil is diminished, Florida’s state emergency response efforts are being scaled back.

Crews began removing boom from state waters last week and Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Mike Sole has announced plans to “rightsize” the state’s future response efforts – meaning adjustments are ahead.

In a press release, Secretary Sole said the capping of BP’s well and progress toward a permanent kill have reduced the threat of oil and the focus will now shift to recovery.  “However, boom will be redeployed as necessary, as well as other assets within each branch area of operation, should conditions change,” said Sole.

Bay County officials will continue to work with state and federal agencies to determine appropriate response efforts.

“There’s a lot of oil out there that hasn’t been accounted for and so that’s of concern,” said Valerie Lovett, Bay County Public Information Officer.  “We’re certainly still very much in the mindset that we’re not entirely out of the woods yet.”

Lovett said the piling-based boom protecting Saint Andrew Pass will remain in place for the foreseeable future, while moveable boom will be dry-staged locally – ready to be returned to the water if oil once again threatens Bay County.