Oil crises could impact Eglin beachgoers, boaters

  • Published
  • By Mike Spaits
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  With the tar balls and oil mats washing ashore on an almost daily basis, residents of Northwest Florida and Eglin need to be aware of more than just the Surf Condition Flags.

According to Maj. Rebecca Carter, 96th Aerospace Medical Squadron Bioenvironmental Engineer, beachgoers and boaters need to also pay attention to Health Notice Postings as a result of the Deepwater Horizons oil crises.

"The Okaloosa County Health Department along with Eglin health professionals, are monitoring the oil impacts daily and warning swimmers and boaters when it might not be safe to swim through the use of Health Notice Postings," said Maj. Carter.

"A health notice advises avoiding contact with the water when oil product is present and avoiding contact with oil product on the beach. The health notice doesn't close the beaches or waters," she said.

According to the Okaloosa County Health Department, if oil product is present on the beach or in the water (such as too numerous to count tar chips/balls; tar mats; oil mousse, sheen or slick), beachgoers should avoid swimming, wading or entering the water.

"I advise beachgoers to avoid touching oily product on the beach or in the water, as well as avoiding contact with dead or dying fish or other water life. If people see animals in need of rescue, they should call the County by dialing 311, option 0," said Dr. Karen Chapman, Okaloosa County Health Department Director.

Dr. Chapman also recommends that people experiencing respiratory problems, leave the area and contact their physician, as they deem necessary.
Beach and water conditions can change daily, said Dr. Chapman, and the health department recommends checking with the lifeguard (if available) if there are any questions about entering the water. People should not touch or attempt to clean residual tar from the beaches. If accidental contact occurs, wash off tar with grease-cutting dishwashing detergent and water.

Eglin health officials will notify the base populace when a health notice is posted.

All Health Hazard Postings for Eglin beaches will be posted at beaches and announced on the Eglin website, on the Force Support Squadron website, at the Okaloosa County website or the Okaloosa County Health Department website.

Notices for Eglin beaches and waterways will also be announced on the Commander's Access Channel, through base-wide emails and on the Eglin radio station - 530 AM if necessary.

Beach closures, if they become necessary, will also be posted on the websites listed as well as "Beach Closed" signs posted at all public access points.

Additionally, if oil breaches the Destin East Pass or the Pensacola West Pass and threatens Choctawhatchee Bay, the 96th Civil Engineer Group Spill Response program manager will deploy the spill booms for the waterways under Eglin's care. Ben's Lake Marina, Bear Creek Marina, Yacht Club Boat Ramp and Post'l Point Marina will all be boomed off. Boat traffic will not be able to access the bay from any marinas on base.

When Ben's Lake Marina and Bear Creek Marina close, boom will be deployed across the entrance and no one will be allowed to take the their boat out via the waterway," as directed by Col. Bruce McClintock, 96th Air Base Wing Commander.

Boaters can stay aware of boom operations by contacting Ben's Lake marina at 882-9090.