Oil Slick 2010 Updates
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August 25, 2010
IMPORTANT NOTICE!!
BP CLAIMS INFORMATION
EFFECTIVE AUGUST 23, 2010 KENNETH FEINBERG'S ORGANIZATION HAS ASSUMED ALL BP CLAIMS. THE WEBSITE IS http://www.gulfcoastclaimsfacility.com .IF YOU HAVE NOT PREVIOUSLY FILED A CLAIM WITH BP YOU CAN GO TO THIS SITE TO GET THE INFORMATION YOU NEED TO FILE A CLAIM.IF YOU HAVE ALREADY FILED WITH BP AND HAVE AN EXISTING CLAIM NUMBER YOU MUST STILL FILE WITH THE GULF COAST CLAIMS FACILITY IN ORDER TO CONTINUE YOUR CLAIM. ALL CLAIMS OFFICES WILL REMAIN OPEN UNDER THIS NEW NAME. YOU MUST FILE BEFORE NOVEMBER 23, 2010 TO RECEIVE EMERGENCY AND OR MONTHLY PAYMENTS !!
Tuesday July 5, 2010
It was announced over the weekend that the government will be taking over the deepwaterhorizonresponse.com site. The name will remain the same but the .com becomes .gov.; then the name will be deepwaterhorizonresponse.gov. This change could happen in the next several days. The Department of Homeland Security is going to be more responsible for the content used on the site and hopes to make the site a one-stop site for all information on the BP oil spill.
Wednesday June 30th
Tom attended the weekly Orange Beach city's meeting on the oil spill. It was announced that Mr. Kenneth Feinberg, the escrow claims administrator, will meet with the mayors of Orange Beach and Gulf Shores tomorrow,
Thursday July 1st. Hopefully, we will find out more about paperwork needed to complete a claim. Mr. Feinberg stated in a meeting with the House Small Business Committee that a six month payment plan is under consideration.
Stay tuned. We hope to be able to post more about
the local mayors meeting with Mr. Feinberg as information becomes available.
Monday June 21, 2010
In front of Silver Beach today are about fifty boats from the VOP program (vessel of opportunity),which are the private boat owners. They are using booms to encircle oil so that it can be skimmed and/or absorbed. They are making a great deal of progress and the beaches are looking better by the day. Check the front page to see the great news about Jimmy Buffett, Kenny Chesney and other guests to see news about the *free concert they are giving to benefit Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Tom will attend the weekly townhall meeting in Orange Beach where he hopes to learn more details about filing with the new BP Escrow Account.
Thursday June 17, 2010
As many of you are aware, on June 16th, BP announced it was setting aside 20 billion for an escrow account to be administrated by Kenneth Feinberg. Mr. Feinberg headed the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund and was the " pay czar " for the executives of the Federal tax bailout. Owners can still file claims with BP OR elect to file with the independent escrow account. Our understanding is that if the owner is not satisfied with Mr. Feinberg's decision, the owner can appeal to a three judge panel that can overrule Mr. Feinberg's decision.
The rental owner can then either go back to BP with his claim or seek justice in the courts. This process is suppose to speed up the claims with claims payments made or denied within 90 days. It is our initial understanding that if you have already submitted documentation to BP on a claim you must await their determination of your claim, and if that determination is not satisfactory you can then file with the BP escrow procedure. Details have not at this time been released. Rental owners should check their news or governments web sites. As we learn more specifics about this new claims procees we will also update this site.
Wednesday June 9, 2010
We are sad to report that we are seeing tar balls on the beach here in Orange Beach. They are mostly small in size and, therefore, you may pick them up on your feet without even realizing it. We have installed a hand soap dispenser filled with "Dawn" detergent on the the board walk and a foot tub and brush for people to use to remove any tar from their feet. Hopefully this will aid in keeping the oil out of the pool and the units.
Today's weekly meeting sponsored by the City of Orange Beach was attended by one VP with the Mobile Office of BP, the Director of the Alabama Emergency Management Agency, the Mayor and others. The report by the Mayor was a bit discouraging in that it appears the number of skimming vessels anticipated by the State were not provided; boom that might have been used here was stockpiled in other state(s); and, the Coast Guard has determined that Perdido Pass will remain open and be opened and closed as they deem it necessary. It is reported that booms actually will not be that effective at the Pass due to velocity of the currents there. The State is looking at a engineering plan that would be paid for by BP and would involve driving metal pilings into the bottom outside the Pass and installing a "gate" like device of chain link and pipe that could be openened and closed. This is being considered now, but once started would be 16-17 days to complete. Meanwhile oil is now being reported inside the Pass as far back as Bear Point Marina by local boaters and others.
Other announcements in the meeting included Governor Bob Riley's plan to have the National Guard and and Alabama Emergency Management staff available in the area to assist claimants in putting together their claims for submission to BP. Jim Walker, Director of the Alabama Department of Emergency Management stated that the Governor's office and their agency have a committment from BP to then provide a determination on the claim within 48 hours and, if a check is due, then to be able to pick up the check at the local office within a day or two.
We have just heard that Orange Beach plans to have several mechanical "beach rakers" available shortly capable of raking and cleaning the sand of even very small particles.
Tuesday, June 01, 2010
As of Tuesday, June 1, both the NOAA and local station WKRG, do indicate the oil slick closer to our beaches. We now are listed in the area of "uncertainty" again, but there are verified news reports of oil reaching the beaches on Dauphin Island. For those who may not know, Dauphin Island is located just off the western entrance to Mobile Bay and is approximately 35 miles west of Gulf Shores.
The beaches of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are still clean and untouched by any of the oil as of this writing. The City of Orange Beach will be holding a weekly meeting at the Orange Beach Recreation Center @ 12:00 noon to update residents of Orange Beach of the city's action plan. The plan is designed to cope with the situation if the oil does actually come ashore here. We will have a representative attending that meeting, so please check back here for daily updates regarding the situation as it directly applies to Orange Beach and the immediate area.
Sincerely, Picard Realty Rentals
Visitor Bureau Report: Gulf Oil Spill Update, Wednesday, June 2, 2010, 10:30 a.m.
- To date, no oil has reached the beaches of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. According to NOAA's projections, there is a possibility of oil near shore or onshore starting Wednesday afternoon. The extent of that impact is unknown and this is only a forecast. Like the weather forecast, it is subject to change. See the current NOAA map and forecast here and check back frequently for changing conditions.
- No health advisories or closings have been issued for our beaches or the waters off Gulf Shores, Orange Beach or Fort Morgan at this point.
- The City of Gulf Shores has contractors working to lay protective berm across Little Lagoon Pass, preparing in advance of any oil to preserve the waters and habitats of Little Lagoon.
- NOAA has extended the limit of the closed fishing area to the line where federal waters meet Alabama state waters. However, fishing is open in state waters and to the southeast of us. Red Snapper season opened yesterday and boats are still departing from Orange Beach, Gulf Shores and Fort Morgan. To view a map of the closed area, go to http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/.
- We have had two isolated incidents of tarballs washing up on the beaches between Orange Beach and Fort Morgan. To date, only a few dozen tarballs have been reported along our 32 miles of beachfront and contracted crews immediately cleaned the affected areas. According to NOAA, tarballs DO NOT pose a health risk to the average person. However, beachgoers are advised not to pick them up and asked to report any sightings by calling 866-448-5816.
- All appropriate protective measures, including oil-absorbing booms, are being placed along beaches, bays, inlets, and sensitive areas in an effort to keep oil from reaching Alabama’s shoreline. National, state and local response teams are deployed at sites along the coast to deal with local effects.
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Wednesday 20, 2010
The toll free number for you to file a claim for loss of revenue/rents is 800-440-0858. If you intend to file a claim you will need to call that number first and a representative will get some basic information from you. BP claims for the Deepwater Horizon incident can also be submitted at www.bp.com/claims.
Upon our doing that, as it applies to us as a company, they asked for the following information: name, address, ss number or tax ID, phone number, type claim (loss of income) and other basic information. They then assigned a claim number and said that someone would contact us within 7-10 business days.
Now, in case you are in the area and choose to go by, BP does have a local claims office in Foley located @ 1506 North McKenzie (highway 59), suite 104, and that location is right behind the Bryant Bank located on the east side of highway 59 across from South Baldwin Hospital. Their office hours are 8:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m., seven days a week. You must first have a claim number before you can go and talk with them there, and the toll free # above is the number to use. There is no published number for the local office.
We did go by that local office with the claim number in hand. You might be interested to know that items that we were told to prepare included copies of: our business license; driver's license; prior years' tax records (best to have 3-5 years, but 08 and 09 would suffice); canceled rentals for April and May of this year; and, and proof of total rentals for April and May of '09 and '10. Claims will be processed month to month.
Again, once you have your claim number you will be contacted by an adjuster.
If you rent with us, your 09 records will have included all the monthly statements for that year that you will need and we will include in your coming monthly statements any copies of cancellations in your unit that you might need.
Sincerely, Picard Realty Rentals
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Some may laugh, we say "Why not"? If you have read an earlier posting about Chad Meyers, CNN's weather/space man, recommendation, this seems to be along the same lines of his peat moss. But let's see some action!! Are we could just wait around for BP to act.....yawn.
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Tuesday 12, 2010
As any owner knows who has even watched portions of the congressional hearings on the Gulf Coast oil spill, as far as BP, Halliburton or Transocean is concerned, the buck stops anywhere but here! CNN reports that the White House wants to adopt a " One-Stop-Shopping "
claim center that will be able to handle all claims, from fishing to vacation rentals. The Mobile Register reports a few tar balls have washed ashore at Fort Morgan.
Chad Meyers, CNN's main weatherman, had an idea for towns along the beach. Peat Moss. He suggested that when a wave of oil threatens a beach, fishing boats and ships should spread peat moss along the oil slick. The peat moss picks up the oil but is safe for the environment. The boats would then pick the peat moss up before it washes ashore. The peat moss could only be used in certain targeted areas. We've supplied a link if you would like to research the idea.
http://www.absorbentsonline.com/peatsorb.htm
Chad Meyer is not just another pretty face, he's CNN's go to person on space and the environment.
We are waiting to hear the results of the big meeting tomorrow night with the Alabama Attorney General and BP that will be held in the Mobile Civic Center. Hopefully answers will be forth coming on how condo owners and vacation rental owners can be compensated on this man made disaster.
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Subject: Oil Spill Update
Date: Mon., 10 May 2010
Monday 5/10/10 It was announced today that on Wednesday 5/12 in Mobile, the Alabama Attorney will meet with BP in a town hall meeting to be held at the Mobile Convention Center. The Attorney General's Office has stated that BP has agreed to process individual claims within 48 hours....but details remain unclear on the exact methods or conditions that must be met for BP to start processing these claims. Hopefully that will be cleared up Wednesday...hopefully. BP is setting up an office in Foley. Once again we urge you to use the web link to WKRG, found under Oil Spill Links on this webpage. As for the news concerning the oil reaching Dauphin Island, here is a video showing no oil in the water or on the beaches.
WKRG.com News
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Subject: Oil Slick Update
Date: Fri,7 May 2010
A forum meeting was held in Gulf Shores on 5/5 at 10:00 a.m. at the
Erie Meyers Civic Center. The meeting was hosted by Herb Malone of the
Alabama Gulf Coast Convention and Visitors' Bureau. On the panel were
representatives from BP, the Governor's office, the Alabama Tourism
Office, the Alabama Department of Environmental Management and the
Alabama Department of Public Health. More than 600 people attended the
packed-house meeting, while others outside listened via speakers
provided to accommodate those who could not get inside. The following
is a brief summary of some of the points covered.
James Stewart of the Governor's office informed the attendees of the
Unified Command station in Mobile which is headed by the U.S. Coast
Guard and partnered by the various federal and state agencies. He
stated that Governor Riley is very committed to seeing that Alabama's
coastal waters are protected and to maintaining pressure on BP and all
of the agencies involved.
Lee Sentel of the Alabama Tourism Office told the attendees that as
soon as the oil has been stopped and the timing is appropriate, their
office will be airing commercials letting people know that Alabama's
beaches remain open for business.
Bruce Johnson of BP summarized the efforts of their company to stop
the flow of oil to date. These include capping one of the 3 leak sites
and, although that has not stopped the rate of flow, they are hopeful
that placement of the "dome" structure over the entire wellhead will
be successful in capturing all of the flow into tankers. The dome is
being positioned over the next 12-24 hours and will be lowered into
place within the next 4 days. Although such a structure has never been
used at that depth, they are hopeful that it will be successful. In
any event, a relief well will be drilled to be the ultimate solution
to the leak.
Lance LeFleur of the Alabama Department of Environmental Management
summarized in more detail the efforts to stop the leak and containment
efforts:
First, at sea, disbursing agents are being used at the wellhead level
to try and diffuse the oil. NOTE: latest news stories indicate that
may have been stopped due to concerns over the environmental impact of
those chemicals themselves. Additionally, surface disbursement
continues at sea along with skimming vessels. Starting today
controlled burns will begin again thanks to calm sea conditions. The
sunny clear weather is actually causing some, limited, natural
disbursement, also. Of note is the fact that the outer edges of the
"sheen" area of the spill remain about 50 miles out with concentrated
ares still further away, and the projections through the week-end keep
it that distance away. Look to NOAA website for maps of the slick. Our
area is still in an area at the present time of "uncertainty" as to it
coming ashore, and if we should only get the sheen area then the
impacts will be far less adverse.
Second, closer to shore, booms continue to be deployed and if it gets
closer to shore, shallow water skimmer vessels will be deployed also.
He stated that great efforts will be also be taken to protect Mobile
and Perdido Bays and their estuaries. Pilings are being placed at the
mouth of Mobile Bay to help anchor the booms there and cargo vessels
coming into the bay will go through two wash down procedures before
entering the ship channel and docking there. You can go to ADEM.al.gov
for maps showing the location of the booms.
Mike Sholte , representative of AESIS (sp?), which is the adjustment
agency employed by BP spoke next. AGAIN THE HOTLINE FOR OWNERS WITH
CLAIMS FOR LOST RENTS (and homeowners' associations) IS 800-440-0858.
He stated that their first priority right now is addressing fisherman
and boat captains, but that the process is in place for all claims to
be taken. He advised that several factors will taken into
consideration with concern to rental income losses, including prior
years' occupancy rates. He could not give an answer as to how soon
owners' could expect to receive reimbursements and told the audience
that once you contact them, the claims process will begin and that you
will be advised of the documentation you will need to accompany your
claim. They are, according to him, using a number of adjusters from
the local area who will be familiar the area's rental economy.
Lastly, a representative of the Alabama Department of Health spoke as
to the health risks. He stated that so far, air and water samples do
not indicate any health risks in the local areas. Based strictly on
the data that is at hand at the present time, they do not currently
anticipate any closings of the beaches. Of course, if the situations
change and levels of hydrocarbons in the waters cross their threshold
acceptable level, they could issue advisories warning people to stay
out of the water. Again, at the present there are no warnings of that
kind for our beaches. He stated that even if we should see oil sheen
along our beaches ( and that is not a certainty that will occur) a
majority of people would likely not suffer any adverse affects from
even short term contact with the water. The hand out provided by their
agency is below and you are encouraged to review
that for important information.
"For those owners who rent their unit with Picard we have run
calendars for each unit for the Summer months and are also noting on
any reservations that are being cancelled that the oil spill is the
cause."
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Subject: Oil Slick Update
Date: Wed, 5 May 2010
Questions and Answers from today's Town Meeting (.pdf file)...pdf reader req'd-free
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Subject: Oil Slick Update
Date: Mon, 3 May 2010
MOBILE, Alabama - Eighty-one boats are back on the water this morning deploying more boom off the shores of Mississippi, Alabama and Florida, according to a Coast Guard spokesperson.
No oil here ! Warm sunny weather--beautiful day.
As of Wednesday morning, 382,400 feet of boom had been deployed to protect the three coastal states. An additional 560,000 feet of boom was readily available and 358,000 feet had been ordered.
Alabama Governor Bob Riley said Tuesday approximately 150,000 feet of boom are being deployed each day.
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Subject: Oil Slick Update
Date: Mon, 3 May 2010
ROBERT, La. - Favorable weather conditions have allowed responders to prepare to conduct a controlled burn today, May 5th.
As part of a coordinated response that combines tactics deployed above water, below water, offshore, and close to coastal areas, controlled burns remove oil from the open water in an effort to protect shoreline and wildlife.
No populated areas are expected to be affected by the controlled burn operations and there are no anticipated impacts to marine mammals and sea turtles. In order to ensure safety, the Environmental Protection Agency will continuously monitor air quality and burning will be halted if safety standards cannot be maintained.
A successful controlled burn, lasting 28 minutes and removing thousands of gallons of oil, was conducted on April 28th.
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Subject: Oil Slick Update 6:30 AM Monday
Date: Mon, 3 May 2010 08:18:54 -0500
Local News reports over 80% of the booms placed in the water to offer some protection from the BP oil spill in Orange Beach have washed ashore. There are plans being drawn up to place huge sand dunes in front of the marshes and estuaries to give them some protection. Local fishermen are very unhappy because crews unfamiliar with the area placed the booms out incorrectly. Bans have been placed on all commercial and sport fishing for the next 20 days. Some oil has washed ashore in Mississippi and the Chandelier Islands in Ms. Due to rain storms and prevailing winds, the oil slick has not reached the Orange Beach shoreline. There is a very small chance it could touch the shoreline today but chances are remote. Winds shift tomorrow and should help keep the slick off the Orange Beach shoreline. It is a day by day process. Will keep posted as events in the area occur. Oh, yes, the Blessing of the Fleet did take place in Bayou La Batre yesterday.
Millie & Tom
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Subject: Update Oil Slick
Date: Fri, 30 Apr 2010 10:57:37 -0500
The following are numbers or websites that SBOA may find helpful to offset the economic impact that is the result of BP's massive oil spill.
1-800-440-0858 is the number for BP. Millie called this number early this morning and a represent answered and confirmed this is the number that would handle loss revenue for rental income. We would advise keep all documents and contracts to back your claim.
The local Mobile television station is WKRG and their website, www.wkrg.com is a good source for local daily information. The web site www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com is an up date that includes the entire area and is a very comprehensive site. Lundy Wilder has also forwarded the site of the National Pollution Funds Center. This is a site posted by the US Coast Guard and the Department of Homeland Security. Go to www.uscg.mil/ccs/npfc/claims/default.asp
and you will information and links with forms
We are all hoping for the best possible outcome in the face of this crisis and will keep you posted as we receive additional information.
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Subject: Oil Slick Update
5:00 PM Thursday 4/29/10
Today it was announced that the entire Gulf Coast is in a state of emergency due to BP's uncontrolled oil spill. As of 5:00 PM, the oil spill is twelve hours ahead of the first estimate and will affect the Mississippi River Delta region of LA. tonight. A second national command center, made up of national and BP experts, was put in place in Mobile. Thirty miles of booms have been placed along the 300 miles of the Gulf Coast that will be affected and Orange Beach has been fortunate to have booms placed in our location. The booms were in place in front of Silver Beach by early afternoon. Rough seas are predicted and there is concern rough seas will cause the oil to wash over the booms. We will keep you informed to local conditions as any new information becomes available. Web sites are being formed to offer information that could be important to renters and owners and we will post on this site as soon as we can verify.