Walton County Health Department lifts swimming advisory, issues guidelines (UPDATED)

This is the latest from the Walton County Emergency Management Office.

Effective immediately, the Walton County Health Department is rescinding the health advisory issued on June 23, 2010 for the following beach waters in Walton County that were affected by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

Beaches from Miramar Beach access point eastward to the east end of Topsail State Park.

The health department is rescinding its health advisory now that government officials verify that there have been two consecutive high tides with no oil sheen or oil slick observed in the water from the high water mark out to 100 yards from shore. 

Government officials continue to monitor the water for impact from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

Hours later, Walton County issued health advisory guidelines for future health advisories.

“In the absence of outside leadership, we have created these guidelines in order to respond timely and effectively,” says Walton County Emergency Management Chief, Captain Mike Barker.

County officials would like to remind beach goers that a health advisory for swimming does not represent a beach closure or restriction on beach access. Also, the beach flag system is not related to the impact from the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, the flag system is in place and represents the status of rip currents.

The complete set of guidelines appears below.

Localized Isolation of Shoreline and Coastal Waters

Due to Oil Product Exposure

Guidelines

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this document is to provide guidance for local public safety and health agencies with regard to the health and safety of the beach patrons in regard to the recreational waters and beaches affected by the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. It includes guidance for the assessment of the water and shoreline for oil product impact and provides a measured response to those assessments.

Planning Assumptions

• Coastal water quality is an important issue from public health, environmental, and economic standpoints.

• Coastal water pollution has economic impacts: every day a beach is affected by the oil increases the adverse economic consequences to local communities and tourism.

• Florida beach safety is a shared responsibility across local, state and federal authorities. Multiple entities have authority to regulate Florida beaches or beach water access.

• The Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill has impacted Florida beaches.

• Beaches may be impacted at varying levels by the oil spill over time.

• It may be necessary to issue advisories in order to protect the health and safety of Florida residents and visitors.

• The Florida Constitution allows local jurisdictions to restrict beach access or use in the interest of public’s health and safety.

• BP Company has the lead for response and clean-up activities. BP contracted oil spill cleanup crews require unfettered access to beach areas impacted by oil product for the safe and efficient cleanup of the product.

GUIDELINES:

County Health Department Directors / Administrators have the authority to issue beach water health advisories if the quality of beach waters fails to meet guidelines established by the department.  For purposes of the Deepwater Horizon incident, the guidelines below have been established by a local task force made up of representatives from the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, South Walton Fire District, Walton County Tourist Development Council, Walton County Department of Health, and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Beach Survey

Once a report of potential oil product impact on the beach has been received by the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), a beach survey will be performed that identifies actual or potential type of oil product and the scope of the impact. The Beach survey team is comprised of representatives from the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, South Walton Fire District, Walton County Department of Health, and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Assessment and Response

If upon assessment of an area of coastline the visible presence of moderate concentration of tar balls are observed by the designated local health and public safety task force, the following actions are recommended;

• The EOC will notify the appropriate oil spill cleanup contractor based on the location of the oil product impact.
• Identify and temporarily isolate oil impacted area of the beach with signage, to allow for unfettered access for crews to perform clean-up activities.
• Once affected area has been cleaned up, the signage will be removed, and temporary isolation of the area will end.
  

Assessment and Health Advisory

If upon assessment of an area of coastline the visible presence of extensive oil sheen, oil slick, oil mousse, or extremely large numbers of tar balls in the water within 100 yards of the shore as observed by the designated local health and public safety task force, the following actions are recommended;

• The EOC will notify the appropriate oil spill cleanup contractor based on the location of the oil produced impact.

• Identify and temporarily isolate oil impacted area of the beach with signage, to allow for unfettered access for crews to perform clean-up activities.

• Health Advisory for swimming to be posted at beach or at public bathing areas: It is recommended the advisory signs be posted at the beach 'access points' from land side and from the water side, based on the local knowledge of where people are swimming and mooring or launching boats. Health advisory for swimming does not represent a beach closure or restriction on beach access.

• Disseminate appropriate public messaging based on the level of impact, per individual agency’s protocols.

• The decision to rescind a health advisory and for the affected areas of the beach or public bathing areas will be based on the following:

•  At least two consecutive high tides (based on local knowledge of the beach hydraulics) with no oil sheen/oil slick/oil mousse/extremely large numbers of tar balls observed in the water from the high water mark out to at least 100 yards from shore, as observed by the designated local health and public safety task force.

For more information contact: 

• Walton County Health Department at (850) 892-8015 or www.doh.state.fl.us/chdwalton/
• Walton County Citizen’s Information Line at (850) 267-2000
• Florida Oil Spill Information Line at (888)337-3569

For more information on health questions, contact the Walton County Health Department at 850-892-8015 or