CITY OF FAIRHOPE DAILY UPDATE

Incident Update from Ken Eslava


CITY OF FAIRHOPE OFFICIAL STATEMENT

In an effort to be proactive regarding the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the City of Fairhope is taking the following precautions:

  • BP and the Unified Command Center have approved placing multi-tiered booms along the bay front from the American Legion to the Yacht Club on Volanta Street. Booms, provided by Marriott’s Grand Hotel, will also be placed from the South East Corner of the Hotel property to the Marina. The local effort is being coordinated by the City of Fairhope, the Grand Hotel, BP, ADEM and the Coast Guard. These measures are in addition to the booms already being place in environmentally sensitive areas.

  • The City of Fairhope is also taking water and sand samplings from the beaches every seven days.

  • The City of Fairhope is also organizing an effort for volunteers to help clean the beaches from Marriott’s Grand Hotel to just North of Sea Cliff Drive in Fairhope. Once the sheen, hits the beaches all materials, including the sand, will become toxic. For this reason, it is imperative that we clean as much debris as possible off the shoreline before the oil reaches the beach. Volunteers may call 929-1466 to sign-up. Volunteers will be given a specific area of public beach that they will be responsible for cleaning and monitoring until the sheen comes ashore. Once the sheen comes ashore, the beaches will be closed and monitored by law enforcement or city officials.

  • Private property owners along the shoreline should also clean the beach area in front of their property. It is also recommended for Private Property owners to retain any receipts for cleanup related expenses and consider photographing (with time and date stamps) prior to landfall. For property owners who may be disabled or elderly, please call 929-1466 and we will try to send volunteers to help clean the area in front of your property.

  • Residents are reminded that Baldwin County Emergency Management is the best source of information regarding the spill. They are the point agency for Baldwin County. You may find them online at Baldwin County Emergency Management

  • Residents are also reminded that once the oil comes ashore that it is very toxic! Only OSHA trained personnel and/or volunteers should handle any materials and/or wildlife covered with the oil.

    Ken Eslava, Assistant Public Works Director, is oil spill recovery project manager for the City of Fairhope. Ken may be reached at 928-8003 for questions or concerns.

    VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AND INFORMATION
    OFFER YOUR VESSEL FOR SERVICE 1-281-366-5511
    VOLUNTEERS (Assist with cleanup) 1-866-448-5816
    LOCAL VOLUNTEERS 251-929-1466
    BP VOLUNTEER TRAINING Location and Schedule

    IMPORTANT NUMBERS
    REPORT OILED OR INJURED WILDLIFE 1-866-557-1401
    OIL SPILL RELATED DAMAGE CLAIMS 1-800-440-0858
    BP CLAIMS OFFICE IN FOLEY, AL 1506 N.McKenzie,Su 104
    NATIONAL RESPONSE CENTER (REPORT OIL) 1-800-424-8802
    COMMUNITY INFORMATION 1-281-366-5511
    IRS OIL SPILL HELP LINE 1-866-562-5227

    AIR QUALITY INFORMATION

    Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) on the Gulf Coastline
    Current Air Quality along the Gulf Coast
    EPA.GOV Questions and Answers about the BP Oil Spill in the Gulf Coast

    RENTAL INFORMATION/EVENTS

    For individuals or businesses that have events planned on City of Fairhope beach front property, please monitor the situation closely. If the oil does come ashore in Fairhope, the beaches will be closed and all events on the beach will be cancelled. For questions or concerns regarding events, call Michele Burmeister at 929-1447.

    RELATED DOCUMENTS

    BP Claims Flyer: English
    Odor Complaints Flyer: English
    BP Claims Flyer: Spanish
    Odor Complaints Flyer: Spanish
    Alabama Department of Public Health Precautions
    BP Claims Process Fact Sheet
    Damage Claims Process
    Small Business Administration Memo Regarding Recovery Centers

    LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION

    Baldwin County Emergency Management
    Mobile Baykeepers
    Alabama Coastal Foundation
    The National Pollution Funds Center - Site has information for Small businesses that are adversely affected by the oil spill and may be able to receive federal compensation. Businesses that may be affected by the oil spill should keep records of any loss of revenue in the events that federal funding is made available.
    www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com - The official website for more up to date information on the movement of the spill.
    www.noaanews.noaa.gov - NOAA Closes Commercial and Recreational Fishing in Oil-Affected Portion of Gulf of Mexico.
    www.osha.gov - OSHA: Keeping Workers Safe During Oil Spill Response and Cleanup Operations
    Mobile Bay National Estuary Program
    Alabama Joblink - The Alabama Career Center has this site to help identify everyone that is interested in being considered for any job that becomes available as a result of the oil spill.


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