BP sets up numerous hotlines to deal with oil spill

I have received several emails from people with suggestions on how to stop the flow of oil leaking from BP’s deepwater Macondo well on Mississippi Canyon Block 252. Other readers are emailing me with questions about how they can volunteer or telling me that they have boats available to use in the Gulf of Mexico oil spill response.

BP has set up a number of hotlines for people to call with various offers or with damage claims:
--To report oiled shoreline or request volunteer information, call 866-448-5816.
--To submit alternate response technology, services, or products, call 281-366-5511.
--To submit your vessel to help with skimming, call 281-366-5511.
--To submit a claim for damages, call 800-440-0858.
--To report oiled wildlife, call 866-557-1401.

Some readers are asking why I am not reporting about oiled birds. The short answer is that there were few oiled birds as of early May. BP is working with various wildlife response organizations to ensure quality care for any oiled wildlife.

The first oiled bird to be recovered was a northern gannet, a seabird. It was caught on Apr. 30 and treated by Tristate Bird Rescue and Research, a company of bird experts hired by BP to rehabilitate wildlife.

Expertise and training is required to properly feed, hydrate, and clean oiled birds. The Joint Information Center is advising the public against attempting to rescue oiled or injured birds. People instead are urged to call the Oiled Wildlife hotline at 866-557-1401.