However, she was concerned about the long-term ecological health of the Gulf of Mexico, where the runaway well leaked more than 400 million gallons of oil before its flow was halted in mid-July.
“It can’t be good for the stocks in the Gulf,” she said. “Any type of pollutants, the oil, the dispersants; we want there to be a bottom line now and in the future, we want to be working for generations to come, hopefully.”
Manatee and Sarasota counties remained pristine throughout the spill, but many businesses suffered from the perception that oil had polluted their beaches, said Elliott Falcione, interim director of the Bradenton Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.
“It’s good to hear,” Falcione said of Feinberg’s decision. “Obviously, if some of our properties were truly affected by the perception of the oil spill, it would be great if BP was focusing on their compensation.”
He was optimistic that a more accurate perception might be taking root among potential visitors worldwide, he said.
Keith Overton, of St. Pete Beach, chairman of the board for the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association, termed Feinberg’s decision “excellent news for our industry, and the state’s economy.”
Overton added, “What that means: 2,000 claims in the State of Florida already placed that didn’t have oil on their beach, or were businesses not in close enough proximity to the oil spill to be considered compensable.”
“Those claims, and I’m assuming others, will be filed,” he predicted.
Although the Tampa Bay area remains free of oil, hotels, restaurants and fishermen have been affected nonetheless, said U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Tampa, whose district includes parts of Manatee County. “They have suffered economically, and many have legitimate claims,” she said. “I am glad we have been able to overcome this hurdle, and it is appropriate their claims will be considered,” Castor said. “Mr. Feinberg clearly heard from us about just how important it is for these claims to have a fair review.” Feinberg acknowledged in his announcement that his decision was prompted in part by pleas from Florida officials. “After listening to these concerns, I have concluded that a geographic test to determine eligibility regarding economic harm due to the oil spill is unwarranted,” Feinberg said in a press release. He will continue to review each claim on a case-by-case basis, and claimants must prove damages resulting from the spill itself and not other causes, he added. U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Sarasota, said businesses in Florida’s 13th District have suffered financially and “deserve timely and fair compensation for their losses.
“This is a step in the right direction,” he said.
In six weeks, almost $1 billion in claims has been paid to 50,000 individuals and businesses throughout the Gulf Coast.
Sara Kennedy, Herald reporter, can be reached at (941) 745 7031.
Tampa Bay area eligible for oil spill claims – Gulf Oil Spill …
