OIL SPILL INFO

To report sightings of oil or tarballs on the beach, please call 866-448-5816. To report oil impacts to wildlife, contact 866-557-1401.   Here are some convenient links to news sources about how the oil slick will affect us locally and what you can do to help.

**5100 square miles of Gulf are opened to fishing and 8 3-day weekends are planned for fall snapper season.

**Cap on Deepwater Horizon well being temporarily removed as crews raise broken BOP that cause initial explosion.

**Sheen floating from latest rig explosion.

**Another rig explodes off the coast of Louisiana; no deaths reported but some injuries.

**GCCF checks not coming in as promised.

*Wheelhouse Restaurant in Gulf Shores closes.

**Oil spill has made several Orange Beach residents sick with tests to prove it.

**BP still not comitting to relief well's completion.

**Transocean worker testifies about confusion before rig explosion.

**To file a claim (even if you've claimed before), you must log on to GulfCoastClaimsFacility.com to submit your application.

**Gulf Waters Open to Fishing, Catching, Keeping

**The Business Support Center is now open at Faulkner State Commuinty College.  Individuals are encouraged to utilize their free services including claims preparation assistance, career counseling, business planning, financial assistance and crisis counseling.  Call 968-3118 or visit GulfCoastBSC.com for more information.

**The Alabama Department of Public Health has lifted the swimming advisory for gulf waters, however, the department warns that there may still be sporadic oil on or near the beaches and discourages individuals from entering the water if there is visible oil present.

 **The Cotton Bayou boat launch in Orange Beach, Alabama is now open. “Idle Speed Only-No Wake” order is still in effect.