Beaches

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Walton County responds quickly to oil impact at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park

County takes proactive approach to clean up and prevention and installs silt fencing and Geohay Walton County has reported minimal impacts from a moderate amount of small tar balls around Topsail Hill State Preserve. Oil reported on the surface of the water remains nine miles off Walton County’s shoreline, but these initial impacts are due to tar balls that have moved from the spill site along the bottom of the gulf. In an effort to respond quickly, Walton County quickly...

Walton County continues to respond to the oil situation in the Gulf of Mexico

Preparations include possible implementation of berms, geo-bales and silt fencing The Walton County Sheriff’s Office is flying a helicopter daily to obtain real time reports of the location and status of oil. Areas of oil have been spotted three to five miles south of Destin. Wind and water currents change the position of the concentrations of oil daily. As the oil gets closer to our coastline, Walton County prepares to fight the battle and keep as much oil as possible...

Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance initiates Coastal Watch in Walton County

Coastal plant and wildlife volunteers needed to monitor beaches Individuals who live along or are visiting coastal communities can watch for oiled wildlife, vegetation, and beaches by becoming a Coast Watch volunteer. Similar to the Crime Watch program, Coast Watch volunteers are community members who know the daily wildlife and plants that exist on their local beach. The “Coast Watchers” will assist BP and their partnering organizations in identifying beaches that need attention. Coast Watchers will work within the coastal...

BP storage tank washes up on Walton County beach

Storage tank discovered on Miramar Beach From the Walton County Sheriff’s Office: A shiny, metal marine storage tank washed ashore over the weekend on Miramar Beach.  It’s believed the tank is from the April Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion.  The tank is intact, and there does not appear to be any oil leaking from it. A similar tank washed ashore on the west end of Panama City Beach on Saturday.  Officials there estimated the tank to be in excess of...

Proposed oil clean-up plan in place for South Walton beaches

Coastal dune lake protection plan in effect Local agencies in Walton County continue to work together to ensure that our coastline remains oil free and open for the enjoyment of residents and visitors. The South Walton Fire District lifeguards have played a vital role on the front lines. This past weekend when a dozen quarter size clots of what appeared to be oil washed ashore, the lifeguards instructed beach goers not to touch it.  The lifeguards then notified the State...

South Walton residents gather to share thoughts, prayers for the Gulf of Mexico

Candlelight vigil offered opportunity for many to express their love for the Gulf More than 50 local South Walton residents gathered at Ed Walline beach access in Santa Rosa Beach for a candlelight vigil hosted by the Surfrider Foundation on June 8. Attendees took the opportunity to share their thoughts on the current oil spill catastrophe in the Gulf of Mexico, expressing their love for the Gulf, anger at what has occurred and hopes for future change. “Our friends need...