Under the leadership of Governor Charlie Crist, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has been designated the lead state agency for responding to potential impacts of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill along Florida’s shoreline. Together, DEP and the State Emergency Response Team are actively coordinating with other federal, state, and local agencies in response to the incident.
To safeguard the health of Florida’s residents and resources, DEP and other partners are carefully monitoring air and water quality along Florida’s Gulf Coast. Baseline monitoring was completed in Northwest Florida prior to oil entering the region and is underway or has been completed along the remainder of Florida’s Gulf Coast.
StormSmart Coasts an excellent resource for Gulf Communities.
StormSmart Coasts Network Website
June 1, 2010 – Released just in time for storm season, the StormSmart Coasts website equips Gulf residents and decision makers with the latest and best information addressing severe weather.
StormSmart Coasts (www.stormsmartcoasts.org) identifies what should be done before, during, and after a storm. The website provides state specific, in-depth information about potential hazards, how to minimize risks, improve emergency response and more. State and local emergency contacts lists are available. StormSmart Coasts also provides instruction on uniting your community in tackling the challenge of clean-up after a storm.
Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Deepwater Horizon Response
The Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the northern Gulf of Mexico is on the minds of many people. The United States Coast Guard and the Minerals Management Service are taking the lead on the Gulfwide oil spill response and in Florida the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will be the lead for our state.
Many people have expressed interest in helping with the Gulf oil spill in some way. Volunteers interested in helping are encouraged to visit the Volunteer Florida website.
The Gulf of Mexico adapted from NASA satellite imagery.
Florida depends on the Gulf of Mexico for much of its economy and character and for the ecological services provided by the ninth largest water body in the world. For these reasons, Florida, the other four U.S. Gulf of Mexico States, and Mexico partner to protect its health through the Gulf of Mexico Alliance. This historic regional partnership program will help the Nation to manage the Gulf and sustain its abundance for years to come.
The Second Governors' Action Plan, released in June, 2009.
Florida is actively contributing and benefiting from participation in the Gulf Alliance which is a group of dedicated researchers, educators and managers from dozens of state agencies throughout the Gulf, 13 federal agencies, non-profits, universities, citizens and others. Through the identification and creation of issue teams, the Gulf Alliance began in 2005 to "strengthen our response to common challenges."
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Learn more about the Gulf of Mexico Alliance by watching this 6-minute video.
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Local Governments Take Action
Many on the ground actions and important decisions occur at the city and county levels. That's why the city of Naples' Natural Resources Manager, Mike Bauer, addressed over 200 Alliance partners at the Gulf of Mexico Alliance meeting in Mobile, Alabama in August 2009. Bauer spoke about the city's work to clean up polluted waters and restore oyster and mangrove habitats - among other steps the city has taken to promote a healthy Gulf. Hear his speech and read the full article ...
This project was funded by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Gulf of Mexico Program, under Assistance Agreement Number MX-964795 awarded to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The contents of this document do not necessarily represent the views and policies of the Environmental Protection Agency, nor does the mention of trade names or commercial products constitute an endorsement or recommendation.
From its deep water coral reefs to barrier islands and intriguing sea creatures, the Gulf of Mexico comes alive in the Gulf of Mexico Minute 90-second radio messages. The entire nation is pitching in to protect the environmental and economic health of the Gulf of Mexico by recycling, conserving energy, and supporting local businesses. Listen to the Gulf of Mexico Minute Radio Podcasts and join these regional efforts to support the Gulf! Read More
Florida depends on the Gulf of Mexico for much of its economy and character and for the ecological services provided by the ninth largest water body in the world. For these reasons, Florida, the other four U.S. Gulf of Mexico States, and Mexico partner to protect its health through the Gulf of Mexico Alliance. This historic regional partnership program will help the Nation to manage the Gulf and sustain its abundance for years to come.
This project was funded by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Gulf of Mexico Program, under Assistance Agreement Number MX-964795 awarded to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The contents of this document do not necessarily represent the views and policies of the Environmental Protection Agency, nor does the mention of trade names or commercial products constitute an endorsement or recommendation.
Discussion to focus on health and resiliency of the Gulf and coastal communities
Seagrass communities are among the most productive ecosystems in the world
From its deep water coral reefs to barrier islands and intriguing sea creatures, the Gulf of Mexico comes alive in the Gulf of Mexico Minute 90-second radio messages. The entire nation is pitching in to protect the environmental and economic health of the Gulf of Mexico by recycling, conserving energy, and supporting local businesses. Listen to the Gulf of Mexico Minute Radio Podcasts and join these regional efforts to support the Gulf! 
