Levy: We’re Prepared If Oil Reaches Suffolk County

While BP announced Thursday afternoon that the well which has been spewing millions of gallons of oil

Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy discusses the Gulf oil spill emergency response plan for the potential impact on Suffolk County at Timber Point Country Club on Thurs. July 15, 2010. Photo by Amanda Marzullo.

into the Gulf for the past 86 days has been capped, the full  impact of the existing oil in our waters has yet to be seen.  In preparation for a possible oil contamination of Long Island’s waters, Suffolk County officials devised an emergency response plan to deal with the catastrophe if it does reach the shores of Long Island.

Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy, Suffolk County Legis. Tom Cilmi (R-Bay Shore), and Suffolk departmental commissioners joined together to unveil The Gulf Oil Spill Emergency Response Plan at Timber Point Country Club Thursday afternoon.

“The good news is the threat is minimal at this point,” said Levy about the oil reaching the Island. If oil impact our shores it will not happen right away.  “It would be after the summer tourist season,” he said.

A major part of the emergency plan is to continually monitor the flow of the oil from the Gulf and whether  it will make its way around the Florida panhandle and up the coast.  Furthermore, Levy stressed monitoring and communication between the different level of government regarding the issue.

Adequate supplies, workforce cleanup training, how to dispose the waste, and even initiatives to deal with wildlife that could be affected by the oil have all been accounted for in the response plan.

“We want to be ready,” said Levy.

The emergency plan has also implemented the FRES HOTLINE, 631-852-4900, which individuals can call in case oil is spotted on Long Island shores. Fisherman and boaters can also contact the number if tar balls appear in fishnets.

Seafood control and sampling at a local level has not been set in place yet. The US department of Agriculture is responsible for regulating seafood from any area and also incoming food is regulated by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.
Aside from local government plans, U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) has also requested in a letter that the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers prepare for the worst scenario.

The Deepwater Horizon offshore rig leased by BP exploded in the Gulf of Mexico on April 20, killing 11 workers. Since then, there has been no successful plan to stop and contain the oil from gushing. According to government estimates, between 25,000 and 30,000 barrels of oil having been spilling each day. Each barrel contains about 42 gallons of oil.

Unlike the dark brown and black liquid flowing in the Gulf, if the oil does reach Long Island it will be in a different form. The oil will be below the surface and in the form of harden solidified oil otherwise known as a tar ball.

“We want to be pro-active in Suffolk County,” added Legislator Cilmi.