BREAKING! CHARLIE CRIST GOVERNOR OF FLORIDA ASKS BP FOR 100 MILLION DOLLARS!!!

Full text of letter from Charlie Crist to BP:

Mr. Lamar McKay
President, BP America
501 West Lake Park Blvd.
Houston, TX 77079

Dear Mr. McKay:

The Sunshine State has over 1,260 miles of coastline along the Gulf of Mexico. Our coastal areas host our tourist destinations, fishing industry, and many natural areas.
Collectively, they generate $526 billion for Florida's economy. Importantly, they are home to some of the most sensitive and precious ecosystems in the world. The destructive spill is already having an impact on Gulf of Mexico coastal areas, and the threat to our state is real and imminent. If we are to adequately protect Florida's economy and environment, we must act in a
swift and organized manner to monitor, evaluate, and respond to the constantly changing
conditions.

I have counseled with Florida's many research, scientific, and private organizations who are presently involved in monitoring and responding to the evolving conditions in the Gulf. In order to assure that Florida is highly involved in the process of dealing with this threat, I have
directed these organizations to prepare a plan that outlines critical and immediate response needs and specifies action steps to be taken. An important step in this response is described in the attached Florida Institute of Oceanography (FlO) Response Proposal. A critical component of this effort is the need to
maintain an independent, real-time monitoring capability, and documentation of the evolving conditions in order to respond to the threats to Florida's seabed, water column, surface, and shoreline. The proposal also provides for the development of technologies that improve the ability to detect and remediate oil spills in the GUlf, before they cause irreparable harm. This event has attracted an array of suggested technologies that must be evaluated and enhanced. Clearly, it is important with respect to both the existing spill and potential future incidents, that
we improve our ability to quickly capture and mitigate the hazard's threat to the environment and
economy.

You recently announced a pledge of $500 million for an independent research and
evaluation of the effects of oil spillage. The FlO Response Proposal will be the first step for the
state of Florida in accomplishing the mutual goals that were stated. Although I understand your
desire to appoint an independent advisory group to evaluate research proposals, the immediacy
of the need described in the enclosed proposal requires that Florida join in the initial steps of the
monitoring and mitigation program.
Florida's interests are urgent and unique. Our state represents a substantial portion of
the marine recreational fishing in America. Our wide Gulf shelf supports a multi-billion dollar
fishing industry, and the Florida Keys are a national marine sanctuary. The potential impact of
the spill on our economy, habitat, and coastal communities demands that our state have a
leadership role in the response.

THE CAPITOL
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA 32399 • (850) 488-2272 • FAX (850) 922-4292
Mr. Lamar McKay
June 3,2010

Page Two
As you can see from the enclosed summary, the federal, state, and private partners
involved in the FlO Response Proposal is an impressive assembly of expertise and dedication
to this issue. In order to implement the activities described in the proposal, I am asking BP to
immediately commit $100 million to be spent in this critical and time sensitive effort. The FlO
team has advised me that they can begin deployment of the monitoring system immediately.
Thank you in advance for your continued responsiveness to the challenges resulting
from the Deepwater Horizon incident.

read the pdf of the actual letter here:
[link to www.dep.state.fl.us]