Oil Spill Update

Last revised: 8/31/10 (Updates will be semi-weekly)

Department of Interior/NOAA's oil disposition report

On Wednesday, Aug. 4, a federal interagency team led by the Department of the Interior and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released a report in regards to the disposition of the oil at this point in time. They estimate through direct recovery efforts, including burning, skimming and in-situ removal, twenty-five percent (25%) of the oil released by the wellhead has been removed from Gulf of Mexico waters. Another twenty-five percent (25%) either naturally dissolved or evaporated into the environment. Twenty-four percent (24%) of the oil was dispersed, either naturally or as a result of operations, as microscopic droplets into the water. The remaining portion of the oil, twenty-six percent (26%), is still on or in the water as sheen and weathered tar products, is ashore or has been collected from shore or is buried in sediments. Currently, oil that has been dispersed or is in the residual category is being actively degraded through natural processes.

So, we remain optimistic our shoreline and islands will have minimal impact from the Gulf oil spill. Recent projections by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) report the probability of oil impacting the Fort Myers/Sanibel area is less than 1 percent.

Southern Florida, the Florida Keys, and the East Coast are not likely to experience any effects from the remaining oil on the surface of the Gulf as the oil continues to degrade and is hundreds of miles away from the loop current, according to a new NOAA analysis release July 30. This analysis assumes the Deepwater Horizon/BP wellhead will remained capped.

That echoes the opinion of Kristie Anders, education director for the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation. She says the Loop Current in the Gulf of Mexico follows the edge of the continental shelf, which runs parallel to the state's coast and extends to about 150 miles off the destination’s shores. When the strong current hits the shelf, it curves southward along its edge. So, barring a major storm, it will steer the Loop Current away from our area and well offshore of southwest Florida. See for yourself.

At this time, the Deepwater Horizon oil spill has not impacted The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel, nor are there any projections that there will be.

Destination officials on The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel are monitoring the situation closely and will respond accordingly to any potential impact on our area. If you are traveling to the destination within the next few days, you can monitor the following websites for the latest updates on the spill and check back with this site for specific information regarding The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel.

J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island is reporting, “There are currently no impacts to our refuge waters. The beaches are clean and open.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Have Lee County beaches been impacted by the oil spill?
No. The Florida Division of Emergency Management gives 72 hour forecasts and no impact on beaches in southwest Florida is indicated.

When is the oil spill expected to reach Lee County?
No one knows the long-term direction or impact of the spill. Currents and weather play a big role in determining the direction of movement.

Is it safe to swim, fish in the Gulf of Mexico off Lee County?
There are no advisories for Lee County at this time.

Is it safe to eat seafood?
Yes, commercial seafood can be purchased at local restaurants and from grocery stores.

Has a state of emergency been declared in Florida?
On May 20, 2010 Gov. Charlie Crist added Lee County into the ordered state of emergency. This is the state of emergency issued by the state; the Lee County Board of County Commissioners has not declared a state of emergency for Lee County at this time. The declaration of a state emergency issued by the governor frees up emergency money, etc. This state of emergency for Lee County was lifted by the governor on Aug. 26, 2010.