Deepwater Horizon Oil SpillGulf of Mexico - 2010

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times”

-- Tale of Two Cities – Dickens

Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in the Gulf of MexicoApril 20th explosion killed 11 and injured 17

~4.9M barrels of oil released by July 15th, when capped

Largest marine oil spill in history

Extensive damage to marine and wildlife habitats

Job, income and other economic losses for Gulf's fishing, tourism and related industries

Job, income and other economic losses due to drilling moratorium

Drop in real estate prices

Many challenges … but many opportunities to show value!!

Extension’s Response

Immediate response to issue (diverted formula funds)

Extension (SG and CES) in AL, FL, LA, MS and TX Formed 4 task forces – collaboration

Damage Assessment and Assistance

Family Financial and Stress Management

Food Safety and Consumer Confidence

Communications

Extension’s Response Key – boots on the ground Used EDEN, MittNet, eXtension TFs wrote joint Special Needs proposal

(funded by NIFA for max $200K) Fact sheets, FAQs and Ask the Expert

system underway as an eXtension CoP (http://www.extension.org/oil%20spill)

Educational materials translated for Vietnamese and Hispanic audiences

Extension’s Response

Hazmat training has been provided

Claims assistance being provided

Seafood sensory safety training workshops - Pascagoula, Baton Rouge, and Gainesville

HACCP training provided for primary seafood processors

Extension’s Response

Harvest from Open Waters program – safety and consumer confidence

Phase I of Peer Listening Training sessions for volunteers held

Workshops held dealing with financial and stress management

Oil spill economic damage estimates are being developed

Extension’s Response

Market Maker and other programs implemented to connect seafood suppliers with seafood buyers

Comprehensive proposal being developed

Others

Extension is making a difference in lives of our people!

The Family

Gaines Smith, Paul Coreil, Millie Ferrer-Chancy, Joe Street, and Ed Smith

Bobby Fletcher (Project Leader), Jenne Farr (Adm Asst.), Pat Skinner (EDEN), Virginia Morgan (eXtension)

The Family

Task ForcesDamage Assessment and Assistance

(Gail Cramer, LA +13)

Family Financial and Stress Management (Paula Threadgill, MS + 9)

Food Safety and Consumer Confidence (Steve Otwell, FL + 13)

Communications (Frankie Gould + 10)

Cooperation and Accountability

Revised federal regulations on multi-state Extension and Integrated Extension and Research

State budgets call for efficient use of resources

As we help people, remember that it is to our advantage to cooperate in doing so, and to focus on showing that we are accountable within our states and on a multi-state basis.