It has been more than 60 days since the Deepwater Horizon Oil Rig sank. While the U.S. Coast Guard continues working with BP to cap the leak, it is important that individuals and businesses have the information and resources they need to recover.

Our recovery from this spill will be long and it will require the collective efforts of local, state, and federal agencies, along with the private industries, to aid the workers and businesses that have been affected by this tragedy.

Below please find information regarding the status of the ongoing efforts to address and solve the challenges of this hazardous oil intrusion.

n  The Mississippi Department of Employment Security is now accepting applications from Mississippi residents seeking paid oil response work at local WIN Job Centers as well as on-line at www.mdes.ms.gov. For assistance, contact any Mississippi WIN Job Center or call 1-800-224-1388.

n  For SBA disaster loans,  the application is available on-line using Electronic Loan Application at  www.email.capitolhillnewsonline.com/m/310Gd5ftswSZ2xodVF0NODL4s1An0GKKbvpJ7c8Hoz1Xg8Nrzw.

n  BP is now accepting claims for the Gulf Coast Oil spill. You can call for more information at 1-800-440-0858. If you are not satisfied with their resolution, please contact the National Pollution Funds Center at www.email.capitolhillnewsonline.com/m/645Gd5ftswSZ2xodVF0NODL4s1AnzD4TmJSvT_Nb3ntENL8s4Q or call 1-800-290-7118.

n  NOAA has opened more than 8,000 square miles of previously closed fishing areas in the Gulf of Mexico, because the agency has not observed oil in the area. The most significant opening is an area due south of Mississippi which was closed Monday, June 21.

n  According to the Mississippi State Department of Health all local beaches remain open, however, the state’s health department advises individuals not to swim, ski or paddle surfboards in any water visibly affected by oil. Do not drive boats through oil slicks or sheens.  For more information, call the State Department of Health at 1-866-519-6362.

n  The Mississippi Department of Environment Quality (MDEQ) and the Department of Marine Resources are conducting extensive environmental monitoring to document the current condition of the state's coastal waters. This includes sampling water, sediment, fish, shrimp, crabs and oysters. MDEQ and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are sampling the air. Some data is available in real time; however, some samples can take time to process, usually about three to four days. Sampling data will provide specific information about the pollutants and will be used to help guide the response and cleanup. To see the latest data, visit www.airnow.gov.  

I will continue monitoring the situation on the Gulf Coast to ensure this mess is fixed and that individuals and small businesses receive the help they need to make a full recovery. As always, please continue to keep me informed about your opinions and concerns by phone at (202) 225-4306 or by visiting my website at www.childers.house.gov.