Environment

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Traces of red tide found in Northwest Florida

A bloom of the Florida red tide organism, Karenia brevis, persists in Southwest Florida and extends from northern Pinellas to Lee counties along ~125 miles of coastline. Aerial surveys conducted on 9/6 and 9/11 as well as recent water sampling indicate that the bloom of K. brevis still extends offshore (10 miles or more) in some areas. A bloom of K. brevis was also observed in Northwest Florida for the first time this past week. Observations of >1,000,000 K. brevis cells per liter (“high” concentrations)...

Public forum on beach activities in Santa Rosa Beach Sept. 10

Join the South Walton Community Council for a public forum on beach activities on September 10, 2018 at 6:45 p.m. The event will be held at the Walton County Coastal Branch Library, 437 Greenway Trail, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459. The purpose of the forum is to give the public and opportunity to discuss trash collection on the beach, code enforcement, beach vendors, and public beach access and develop some workable solutions. Once we collect this input, SWCC will make...

Volunteer for coastal clean up day at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Sept. 15

Join Topsail Hill Preserve State Park on International Coastal Cleanup Day for a beach cleanup on September 15, 2018 from 9:15 – 11:30a.m.  Help keep the beach safe for the threatened and endangered species that call the beach home by minimizing the impact of marine debris on the beach and in the Gulf. To register as a beach cleanup volunteer please call 850-267-8330 and provide your name, email address, phone number and number of people coming. Volunteer check in is...

Health advisory remains for Morrison Springs

Water samples collected at Morrison Springs on August 27, 2018 are still above the public health threshold for fecal indicator bacteria. Water quality exceedances are based upon the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) recommended standard of no more than 61 Enterococci CFU/100mL in any single sample. The sample result is 126 Enterococci CFU/100mL. The Florida Department of Health in Walton County monitors monthly water samples submitted by public bathing places during their operation season. The water samples are being analyzed...

Microplastic awareness program at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Sept. 21

Join Topsail Hill Preserve State Park and Dr. Laura Tiu, a Florida Sea Grant agent, to celebrate Microplastic Awareness month on September 21, 2018 from 10 – 11:00 a.m. Come learn about microplastics, what they are, plastic pollution in the Gulf of Mexico and the ocean and what you can do to help. This program is free with regular park admission. For more information contact Hallie Oalde  hallie.oalde@dep.state.fl.us A $6.00 entry admission per vehicle into the park. Topsail Hill Preserve State...

Health advisories issued for Holly Street and Eastern Lake beaches

The Florida Department of Health in Walton County (DOH-Walton) conducts regularly scheduled saltwater beach water quality monitoring at seven sites through the Healthy Beaches Monitoring Program. Samples are collected from March through the end of October. The water samples are analyzed for enteric bacteria (enterococci) that normally inhabit the intestinal tract of humans and animals, which may cause human disease, infections, or rashes. The presence of enteric bacteria is an indication of fecal pollution, which may come from storm water...

Health advisory issued for Morrison Springs

A Health Advisory is issued on August 15, 2018, for Morrison Springs. The Advisory is issued based on the criteria for fecal indicator bacteria. This should be considered a potential health risk to the bathing public and swimming is not recommended. Samples taken are above the public health threshold for fecal indicator bacteria. Water quality exceedances are based upon the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) recommended standard of no more than 61 Enterococci CFU/100mL, or 235 E. coli CFU/100mL in...