PENSACOLA, Fla. -- Both U.S. Senators from Florida have recently weighed in amid complaints about BP's settlements.
Sen. Bill Nelson released a letter on Monday lambasting BP for its request to stop claims payments for future losses.
On Friday, BP requested that claims administrator Kenneth Feinberg not pay any more claims for future losses because the areas affected by the spill have recovered and the economy is improving.
In a letter to Feinberg sent Monday, Nelson said the extent of environmental and economic damage from the oil spill is still unknown, noting that environmental damage from the Exxon Valdez spill wasn't fully realized for years.
"BP doesn't need to be protected from the citizenry. It's the other way around," Nelson said.
Nelson asked that Feinberg fully account for all losses -- past, present and future.
"Anything less would be legally and morally insufficient," Nelson said.
Sen. Marco Rubio was in Pensacola to hear from citizens.
"I want to hear from those most impacted by the spill. How can I help them as the junior senator from Florida?" Rubio said. "For people in Northwest Florida, this is still happening. That's why we need to have this hearing, to keep talking about this."
An audience of about 60 - including numerous political staffers, nonprofit organization officials and Gulf Coast business representatives - attended the two-hour hearing at the Jean and Paul Amos Performance Studio at Pensacola State College.
Testimony centered on persistent issues with claims payments, concerns about unknown environmental consequences and lingering effects on tourism.
"Congress has the attention span of a 20-minute sitcom, and it is critical to remind them of what the continued harm is to the Gulf Coast," state Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam said.
Putnam said the state engaged in an intense marketing campaign to counter public misconceptions that Florida beaches and seafood were tainted by the oil spill.
"We have found no evidence of damage to Florida seafood, but that preconception remains," Putnam said.
Putnam said Florida needs more than billboards and TV ads to restore its tourism economy. Funding also should be poured into fish stock enhancement methods, such as artificial reef development and saltwater-fish hatcheries, he said.
"It is important that at the end of the tragedy, whatever has been done, we can look back and say this was a permanent benefit to the State of Florida," Putnam said.
Bob Zales, president of the National Association of Charter Boat Operators, said fishing has recovered, but the BP claims process continues to frustrate businesses.
"To many of us, the Gulf Coast Claims Facility is a massive failure," Zales said.
Zales said claims payments have been plagued by months-long delays and "ridiculous offers" from BP.
Joe Gilchrist, co-owner of Flora-Bama Lounge and Package, said many frustrations stem from a murky and inconsistent claims process.
"A lot of arbitrary decisions are being made by people nobody can find or hold accountable," Gilchrist said.
Rubio said it is important that Gulf Coast states continue to rally against politicians diverting oil spill money to districts far from the Gulf Coast.
"I think it is critically important for Gulf states to put up a unified front on why this money should come to the Gulf Coast," Rubio said.
Pensacola News Journal, First Coast News, and Associated Press