Environment

Tag

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...

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...

4-H Camp Timpoochee July 5-9

This year’s theme is Super Heros! Head to Camp Timpoochee for five days of fun July 5-9. Sponsored by 4-H, children will enjoy canoeing/kayaking, swimming, environmental education, marine science, archery, arts and crafts, campfires, water sports and games. Cost is $200.00. Scholarships are available for children whose families meet certain income requirements. Please check with Tri-County in DeFuniak Springs (892-3615). If you do not qualify for assistance from Tri-county and need help please contact the 4-H office for alternative resources....

Regional Utilities places booms on Choctawhatchee Bay during water line installation

New water line coming across bay Regional Utilities of Walton County is currently working on Choctawhatchee Bay installing a second sub aqueous water line. This line is being installed as redundancy, as well as a future water supply for South Walton County. Regional Utilities is using the boom as protection for the environment of the bay.  The boom has not been placed due to the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Regional Utilities of Walton County apologizes for the...

County receives necessary permits, initiates coastal dune lake protection

C.W. Roberts bulldozers prepare to close the outfall at Western Lake. ©Lori Ceier/Walton Outdoors Coastal dune lakes outfalls being prepared for closing to avoid oil spill intrusion Walton County has received the necessary permits from the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to initiate our Coastal Dune Lake Protection Plan.  Contractors began implementing the first stage of our plan by stock piling sand to close the dune lakes and re-contour lake outfalls to prevent...