News
County plans for spill money
By Michael D. Bates | Hernando Today
Published: December 2, 2012
BROOKSVILLE - County commissioners Tuesday will discuss developing a wish list of potential projects that could be funded from the expected money it hopes to get as part of fines levied against BP after the 2010 rig explosion.Published: December 2, 2012
Several counties in Florida affected by the spill are in the running for a pot of some $43.7 million.
Commissioner Wayne Dukes said Friday he believes the dispersal of the money may drag on and did not have any idea yet of when Hernando County could expect its share.
The final determination, he said, will be calculated based upon the impact of the spill on each community.
The money can be used to help with economic development or tourism.
Commissioners at a workshop Tuesday will consider the development of a portfolio of potential projects which would be eligible for funding.
The county administrator's office said the projects can include activities in the area of:
The administrator is also asking area civic groups and other stakeholders to submit any ideas, preferably with a budget and a narrative describing each project.
Commissioners are expected to expand on the wish list at their regular Dec. 18 business meeting.
Once completed, the portfolio will be sent to the appropriate federal officials for consideration.
The BPrig that exploded April 20, 2010, in the Gulf of Mexico near Louisiana discharged some 12,000-19,000 barrels of oil a day into the water.
The disaster threatened to stifle tourism in several coastal counties and jeopardize the livelihoods of charter boat operators, shrimpers and others.
Although none of the oil made it to Hernando Beach, the disaster affected the county's 13 charter boat companies, which reported a fall-off in new bookings due to people hesitant to come there and fish.
Some hotel owners reported business down 15-25 percent.
Besides Hernando, other counties involved in the BP compensation are Bay, Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, Dixie, Escambia, Franklin, Gulf, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lee, Levy, Manatee, Monroe, Okaloosa, Pasco, Pinellas, Santa Rosa, Sarasota, Taylor, Wakulla and Walton.
mbates@hernandotoday.com (352) 544-5290