FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 10 May 2010

CONTACT Kristian Gustavson, Below the Surface, Founder & Expedition Leader—p: 760.277.3503 e: kristian@belowthesurface.org

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Exploration Team Documents Oil Flow in Gulf of Mexico

~Below the Surface Team closes in on its first week in the Gulf of Mexico, discovers worst case scenario, deploys grassroots documentation efforts~

New Orleans, LA – On May 10th 2010, the exploration team from Below the Surface (BTS) has arrived and spent an extensive amount of time in the field documenting and assessing fall-out from the continued oil flow. This oil flow is rapidly becoming one of the worst environmental catastrophes in American history and could not come at a worse time. There are many reports indicating that the South will take an economic hit rivaled only by Hurricane Katrina.

The team has received reports of current oil flow into the Gulf of Mexico ranging from 5-20 million gallons with no signs of slowing as it spreads east & west across the coast. Current efforts to stave off the flow of oil by BP have been unsuccessful; the use of chemical dispersants to break-up the sheen is highly controversial because of heightened toxicity, the use of oil booms to protect the coast is ineffective due to wave action, hurricane season begins June 1st, and the next contingency to “Junk Shot” the well runs a high risk of failing and could increase the current flow of over 200,000 gallons per day to over 2 million.

It is imperative that the team continues with its baseline assessment of pre-contamination conditions in the Gulf of Mexico to aid restoration efforts. The team has been coordinating GPS-linked water sampling while obtaining video footage, and thorough photo documentation. All of these parameters are imperative for successful clean-up and rehabilitation efforts.

The BTS Team is asking that you send us your footage of the beach before and after the oil hits the shore! Be the Solution to the Deepwater Horizon disaster by participating in a critical grassroots effort. Go down to your local beach along the Gulf Coast with your camera phone, camera or a video camera, take a few photos and email them to us at video@belowthesurface.org! All data, videos, and footage we compile will be featured on our Google Earth map of the Gulf region that shows the conditions prior to and after the slick hits the shore. In addition, they are offering real-time updates through their social networks and daily media tours. This week, they are planning to document baseline conditions in the Atchafalaya Bayous on Wednesday, assess Mississippi Coast Thursday, participate in a fly-over Friday, Chandeleur Islands on Saturday, and Atchafalaya Bay on Sunday.

It was only three months ago that the BTS team completed their successful expedition on the Atchafalaya River in Louisiana to document nature’s resilience and Gulf Coast restoration—the Atchafalaya Delta is in now directly threatened by the trajectory of the oil sheen. A writer and a photographer from Reader’s Digest covered the story that just hit newsstands. They are preparing for a full-team rendezvous during the last week of May in lieu of a planned expedition to dedicate the first paddle-trail on the Lower Mississippi River; the dedication will take place at a date TBD.

REQUEST FOR SUPPORT: “Please consider a $10 donation to help support our work. Any donation up to the $34,000 budget total to get our crew on the ground for several weeks is greatly appreciated by us, the fishermen whose families rely on this coastline for survival, and the animals that thrive in this area,” says Gustavson—donations can be made directly @ www.belowthesurface.org. Below the Surface is a California non-profit organization focused on promoting water conservation and improving water quality.