BEFORE YOU DIG

Grayton has lots of underground utilities including TV/internet cables, gas lines, phone lines, and electrical lines. Before you DIG please call 811 annd the companies will come out and mark where the lines are. There is no cost for this service.

Saturday, July 31, 2010

July 30th Beach Report

July 30, 2:30 p.m. – All Beaches Open; Heat Advisory in Effect
Posted on July 30, 2010 by South Walton Update
All 15 of our beach communities are open for enjoyment and we’ve received no reports of tar balls washing ashore since this morning. According to DEP Reports, Heat Advisories are in effect for all of Northwest Florida today.
The NOAA Oil Spill Trajectory shows the oil plume is 175 miles from Pensacola, and 250 miles from Panama City. It is expected to remain well south and west of Florida, with no direct impacts through at least Sunday.
At the urging of the Florida Department of Health, the local health department has posted Oil Impact Notices at beach access points, advising beachgoers of health tips to follow if noticeable oil product is present. Beachgoers are advised to exercise personal judgment as conditions can change quickly.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Coastal Lakes Video Link

Ever wonder what a bird might see as they fly over the coastal lakes along our Walton shores...then check out this great video.

http://www.sowal.com/video/aerial-video-of-sowals-coastal-dune-lakes

Monday, July 26, 2010

Beach Report

July 26, 3:00 p.m. – No Tar Balls Reported; All Beaches Open
Posted on July 26, 2010 by South Walton Update

Visitors and residents are enjoying all 26 miles of our coastline today and we’ve received no reports of tar balls washing ashore.
The NOAA Oil Spill Trajectory shows the oil plume 120 miles from Pensacola, and 200 miles from Panama City. The forecast indicates the oil patches will remain well south and west of Florida, with no direct oil impacts through at least Wednesday.

Saturday, July 24, 2010

July 23rd Beach Report

July 23, 3:30 p.m. – All Beaches Open; Oil Moving Away
Posted on July 23, 2010 by South Walton Update

All 15 of our beach communities are open for enjoyment and we’ve received no reports of tar balls washing ashore today. Beachgoers are encouraged to exercise caution in the water as yellow flags signifying moderate surf conditions continue to fly over the beaches.
According to NOAA
reports, overflights and aerial imagery indicate the surface oil is continuing to break up into numerous patches. The latest NOAA trajectory has the oil plume moving away from our shores throughout the weekend.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

July 20th Report

July 20, 2:30 p.m. – No New Tar Balls Reported; All Beaches Remain Open
Posted on July 20, 2010 by South Walton Update
All 15 of our beach communities remain open for enjoyment today and no additional reports of tar balls have come in since early morning.
Due to the light impacts over the last several weeks, the Walton County Sherriff’s office is
reporting the number of cleanup workers on the beaches is being reduced.
According to the latest NOAA
forecast, persistent ESE and E winds are expected to continue through Thursday with speeds of 10-20 kts. Satellite analysis and overflights indicate surface oil has moved west, away from the beaches.
At the urging of the Florida Department of Health, the local health department has posted Oil Impact Notices at beach access points, advising beachgoers of health tips to follow if noticeable oil product is present. Beachgoers are advised to exercise personal judgment as conditions can change quickly.

Monday, July 19, 2010

Beach Cleanup Scaled Back

WCSO: Walton County Beach Cleanup Operations
July 19, 2010 6:51 PM
Freedom Florida
Due to the light oil impact experienced in Walton County, Emergency Management in conjunction with BP and cleanup contractors, are working through the Branch command center to scale back the number of cleanup workers located on the beach. Chief of Emergency Management, Captain Mike Barker met with contracting crew supervisors late last week and is working with the supervisors to reduce the number of cleanup workers on the beach. Captain Barker, along with the Branch command center is working to create a better, more efficient scaleable system for beach cleanup.
“We know the number of workers present on the beach needs to be reduced and we are working to resolve the issue. However we want to ensure we can ramp back up if the impact of oil starts to increase,” Barker said.
Today the number of cleanup workers was around 400 which is a large reduction from the two thousand present previously.
Beach cleanup night operations have also been ceased due to the light impact being experienced.

Friday, July 16, 2010

Oil Report July 16th

Walton County to streamline cleanup effots
July 16, 2010 3:52 PM
Florida Freedom Newspapers
Due to the light oil impact experienced in Walton County, Emergency Management, in conjunction with BP and cleanup contractors are working through the Branch command center to scale back the number of cleanup workers located on the beach. The command center would like to create a better, more efficient system for beach cleanup.

“The reorganized cleanup structure will have the capability of ramping back up if the need arises, and beach cleanup personnel will be right sized for the current level of shoreline impact,” said an emergency management official.
“We are scaling operations to create efficiencies and flexibility to accommodate beach goers and to expand the force should the need be presented.”
Night beach cleanup operations have also been ceased due to the light impact being experienced.
Walton County Emergency Management and BP officials are working to create a list of guidelines to be distributed to crew supervisors.
The guidelines will serve as ground rules for cooperation on Walton County beaches. They will also serve as a tool to help enhance consideration of beach goers, and to improve respect for our environment.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

July 14th Oil Report for Grayton

July 14, 9 a.m. – No Tar Ball Reports; Beaches Open
Posted on July 14, 2010 by South Walton Update

We have received no tar ball reports this morning, and all 26 miles of our coastline are open for enjoyment.
According to the latest NOAA surface oil forecast, “remote sensing imagery and overflights indicate that oil from the source is continuing to move to the south/southeast and there is very little oil remaining to the north.” Our region remains outside of NOAA’s zone of uncertainty.
At the urging of the Florida Department of Health, the local health department has posted Oil Impact Notices at beach access points, advising beachgoers of health tips to follow if noticeable oil product is present. Beachgoers are advised to exercise personal judgment as conditions can change quickly.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

July 13th Update

http://bswupdate.com/

For daily updates cluck on the above link.


July 13, 9:30 a.m. – Positive Beach Reports
Posted on July 13, 2010 by South Walton Update

Aside from a couple of small tar balls spotted between Seagrove Beach and Deer Lake State Park, we’re monitoring “all clear” reports along the beaches this morning.
According to the latest Air Quality Status Report, “ozone and particle data are consistent with typical values that occur during this time of year and no obvious influence due to the oil spill is evident.”
At the urging of the Florida Department of Health, the local health department has posted Oil Impact Notices at beach access points, advising beachgoers of health tips to follow if noticeable oil product is present. Beachgoers are advised to exercise personal judgment as conditions can change quickly.

Thursday, July 8, 2010

REMINDER

Don't forget that if you don't renew your driving on the beach permit by August 1st, you will lose your right to apply for one one forever unless the county changes the ordinance that was passed in January.

July 8th Beach Report

July 8, 4 p.m. – Isolated Tar Balls; All Beaches Open

Posted on July 8, 2010 by South Walton Update

Beachgoers are enjoying all 25 miles of our coastline today under sunny skies, though red flags continue to warn of rough surf conditions.
There have been isolated reports of small tarballs on some area beaches, and crews are quickly responding. As part of the ongoing response strategy, Walton County now has more than 1,000 contract workers stationed throughout beach areas.
The Florida DEP is collecting water and sediment samples in various locations today for analysis. Reports from sediment samples taken June 28 and July 2 showed only trace amounts of oil, and water samples showed no oil. DEP advised that none of the results suggest that recreational activities should be restricted.
At the urging of the Florida Department of Health, the local health department has posted Oil Impact Notices at beach access points, advising beachgoers of health tips to follow if noticeable oil product is present. Beachgoers are advised to exercise personal judgment as conditions can change quickly.

Check out Grayton Beach: http://www.sowal.com/webcam/grayton-beachcam

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Happy 4th Of July from Grayton

Today we had our annual parade throughout Grayton Beach. We all gathered together at Kitty's Taylor's to have lemonade and watermelon at the end of the parade. It was a great time to greet and mingle with old friends. Shirley Sahlie who retired from the GBNA Board this year was honored for her decade of service to Grayton. Her family were all present to see her accept the award. I think we surprised her.
I have also included a link for a You Tube video of our parade for you to view.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96HksNsUQXk

Another link to another video of our parade:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWOCdhVzh3U&feature=related


There is really something so special and so magically about Grayton Beach, I wish that all of you could have been here to celebrate the Fourth with us.

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Friday Oil Update


(From Walton Sun)

FRIDAY UPDATE: Walton County lifts health advisory and drains bulging dune lakes
July 02, 2010 5:37
Freedom Florida
The health advisory has been lifted with two clear high tides and Emergency Management officials have resumed work on the Coastal Dune Lake Protection Plan. Walton County Health Department officials assessed the location impacted by the health advisory and determined that it was no longer necessary.
Tar balls continue washing ashore and officials are closely monitoring the situation as the holiday weekend nears. Walton County beach patrol deputies are working with Emergency Management personnel by responding to reports of oil and assessing the findings. All Walton County beaches are open.
State Officials have provided health notices that will be posted permanently at all beach access points in Walton County. In the future there will be no health advisories issued and this notice will permanently exist until there are no effects from the oil spill. Signs will begin to be posted this weekend throughout the 26 miles of beach.
Most of the Coastal Dune Lakes are open and water levels are being lowered, Stallworth and Oyster are being opened by end of day. Oyster lake will not be opened completely but will be partially opened to allow the water level to lower. Deere Lake is the final lake remaining closed, it will be opened either today or tomorrow.
The county continues to research companies capable of provding independent water testing, which will be in addition to current testing being performed by the Department of Environmental Protection. The county hopes to have results of recent testing from the Department of Environmental Protection today or tomorrow. Once results are made available to the county, they will be posted on the Walton County Sheriff’s Office website for the public to view.
Air quality test results continue to be consistent with values typical for this time of year and no obvious influence due to the oil spill is evident.
The Health Department has a team on the beach monitoring the conditions and testing local waters for bacteria. These results will also be posted on the Sheriff’s Office website as soon as they are available.
The county has purchased a machine to assist in the clean-up of tar balls and other products on the beach shore. County officials traveled to Pensacola last week for a demonstration of a Beach Tech 2000 machine being used for clean-up. The officials were impressed with the machine and reported that it could be beneficial to the clean-up of Walton County beaches. The Beach Tech 2000 should arrive soon and will be used on Walton County’s beaches.
Walton County Emergency Management officials would like to remind residents and visitors, the beach flag system is directly related to the condition of the current. The flag system does not represent anything to do with oil.

Friday, July 2, 2010

Turtle Eggs and the Oil

(from Walton Sun)

South Walton turtle eggs dug up, relocated to East Coast
July 02, 2010 8:12 AM
Deborah Wheeler
The eggs were laid and buried with care on South Walton’s beaches, but when the baby sea turtles hatch it will not be on our white sands.
With the oil spill threatening all Gulf wildlife, the Fish and Wildlife Commission made the decision to move all sea turtle eggs to the East Coast’s shores.
“I don’t know what else we can do,” said South Walton Turtle Watch director Sharon Maxwell. “I would rather dig them up and move them to the East Coast than leave them in the ground here.”
While Maxwell notes that she is not a scientist and doesn’t know for sure what effect oil would have on turtles in the Gulf, her best guess is it will kill them.
“You can wash a bird off, but not a turtle,” she said. “Turtles live and eat in the water. When they open their mouths to eat, they will take in oil.”
A month into the nesting season, Maxwell said there are currently 16 nests, and nesting will probably be complete for this season in two weeks.
Fifteen of the nests were loggerheads and the other is a Kemp’s ridley. Digging of the nests began last week.
“It bothers me that they won’t imprint on our white sand beaches,” said Maxwell. “When they imprint on our sand, their magnetic compass sends them back to our beach when it comes time for them to lay their eggs. It worries me that we will lose a bunch of sea turtles, but I don’t know what else to do.”
Both the loggerheads and Kemp’s ridley are endangered species.
In spite of the oil, there are 16 nests at this point in the season — only off last year’s number by one.
“Sixteen is not a great number, but it’s OK,” said Maxwell. “This is a hard year to be a nesting turtle. The sand is really packed down and hard with all the traffic on the beach due to the oil.”
Maxwell will soon know if this season’s nests will match last year’s total of 39.
Maxwell founded South Walton’s Turtle Watch program in 1995 and heads the group of volunteers who walk the 26 miles of beach each morning at 5:30 a.m. looking for turtle tracks on the sand. Tracks on the sand lead to a nest or sometimes, if the nesting turtle encounters obstacles on the beach, she will return to the sea without laying her eggs. When Maxwell or her volunteers find a nest, it is marked and monitored to keep track of the species.
Officials from FWC, the National Marine Fishery, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, Maxwell, and two representatives from an ecological consulting firm were on hand for last week’s dig.
“I don’t have much hope for the relocated eggs, but it was a national-level decision,” said Maxwell. “No one at our level made the decision.”
Despite Maxwell’s worries about relocating the eggs, she believes it is the lesser of two evils.
“Walking the beach every day at 5:30 a.m. is hard, but its reward is getting to see the hatchlings. We won’t get to see the hatchlings this year,” she said.
Maxwell wouldn’t reveal the East Coast location where the eggs are being taken, saying it was a discreet location.
“Maybe it will be better next year after we get this all cleaned up,” she said. “We’ll just have to wait and see.”

Walton County Meeting on Oil

(From Walton Sun)

SANTA ROSA BEACH — As tar balls washed ashore on Walton County’s beaches, a standing-room-only crowd met Thursday for a town hall meeting to discuss the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
Local officials and representatives from BP and the Unified Command fielded questions that area residents have been begging to have answered.
“All the information we’ve been getting before just raises more questions,” Janet Hardy of Santa Rosa Beach said before the meeting at Coastal Branch Library. “I want to gather as many detailed facts so I can form my own opinion on if living here is safe.”

Santa Rosa Beach resident Don Fogila said he has had many issues with the handling of the oil spill since April.
“There’s really been a credibility issue,” Fogila said. “We have property in this area, so what affects this area affects my life and everything I’ve worked for.”
Walton County Sheriff Mike Adkinson told the crowd that not only would their questions be answered, but hopefully results would be seen.
“What we’re dealing with is going to be an ongoing process,” Adkinson said. “I’m going to do my best, though, to make sure you are informed.”
Among the coveted answers given were test results for water and air quality, which sparked a lot of discussion.
While the air-quality tests showed results typical for this time of year, the water results were mixed.
According to tests performed June 22 through the Department of Environmental Protection, no petroleum contaminants were found in the water. Results from a water sample taken one meter away from a visible tar ball on June 22 showed trace levels of petroleum-related compounds, but the reports indicate no health exposure benchmark was exceeded.
Hands were raised asking officials if the water is safe to swim in and if the beach is safe to walk on.
“If you see tar balls in the water, I wouldn’t get in there,” said DEP representative Darryl Boudreau. “The data is telling us that if you can see an impact, don’t get in.”
Audience members asked to see more advisories and “swim at your own risk” notices rather than notices stating the water is fine for swimming.
“We’re putting people at risk here when we don’t know the answer,” said Ed Berry with Reclaim Our America. “Instead of saying everything’s safe and the waters are open, let them know it’s swim at your own risk.
“We need to be truthful in our statements.”
Officials also discussed skimmer boats out in Destin and requests for additional booms. They also gave an assurance from officials that BP dollars, which have not been handed to the county yet, will come soon.
Adkinson assured the audience that, from the Sheriff’s Office standpoint, the safety of Walton County citizens and the environment will continue to be a top priority.
“As of today, we’ve been lucky,” Adkinson said. “I’ll be honest with you; it can get a whole hell of a lot worse.”

Thursday, July 1, 2010

June 30th Oil Report

From the Walton Sun)

This is the latest Walton County emergency management update:
Walton County beaches continue to have tar balls wash ashore and officials are continuing to closely monitor the situation as the holiday weekend nears. Walton County beach patrol deputies are working with Emergency Management personnel by responding to reports of oil and assessing the findings. All Walton County beaches are open.
The Walton County Health Department issued a health advisory this afternoon, following a report by the Walton County Emergency Operations Center of oil substances coming ashore along a section of Walton County beaches.
The advisory covers beaches from the Lake Stallworth outfall to the western edge of Topsail State Park. The health department will continue to work with the Emergency Operations Center, and will notify the public, through the media and its website www.waltonso.org when the health advisory is no longer in effect.

Tar balls continue to be pushed ashore due to the tide and surf conditions. Emergency Management officials reached out yesterday afternoon and expressed concern about clean-up workers being pulled from the beach. The officials would like to ensure clean-up crews are on the beach and are ready if they should be needed, in the case of lightning or severe weather then they would be relocated to a safe area. Clean-up crews were on the beach last night and crews are on the beach again this morning.
The berming project, that got underway Friday afternoon, remains on hold until the tide level and surf conditions permit crews to resume working on the project. County consultants are discussing possible modifications that could be made to improve the berming plan; many of the berms that were constructed through the weekend have been washed away due to the tide. Modifications are being researched and the plans are being reviewed to see if there is potential for improvement.
Walton County continues to research companies capable of providing independent water testing, which will be in addition to current testing being performed by the Department of Environmental Protection. The county hopes to have results of recent testing from the Department of Environmental Protection today or tomorrow. Once results are made available to the county, they will be posted on the Walton Sun site.
Air quality test results continue to be consistent with values typical for this time of year and no obvious influence due to the oil spill is evident.
The Walton County Health Department has a team on the beach monitoring the conditions and testing local waters for bacteria. These results will also be posted on the Sun site as well.
The coastal dune lakes are reaching maximum capacity and will be relieved. Officials are deciding whether to relieve the lakes with a pump or to manually remove the berms and let them drain out as they do naturally.
The county has purchased a machine to assist in the clean-up of tar balls and other products on the beach shore. County officials traveled to Pensacola last week for a demonstration of a Beach Tech 2000 machine being used for clean-up. The officials were impressed with the machine and reported that it could be beneficial to the clean-up of Walton County beaches. The Beach Tech 2000 should arrive soon and will be used on Walton County’s beaches.
Walton County Emergency Management officials would like to remind residents and visitors, the beach flag system is directly related to the condition of the current. The flag system does not represent anything to do with oil.

Health Advisory Issued: Lake Stallworth outfall to the western edge of Topsail State Park
The Walton County Health Department issued a health advisory this afternoon, following a report by the Walton County Emergency Operations Center of oil substances coming ashore along a section of Walton County Beaches.

The advisory covers beaches from the Lake Stallworth outfall to the western edge of Topsail State Park.
The health department will continue to work with the Emergency Operations Center, and will notify the public, through the media and its website www.waltonso.org when the health advisory is no longer in effect.

Consider the following tips for avoiding negative health impacts from an oiled shoreline:
• Avoid entering areas where oil can be seen or smelled (no wading, swimming or entering the water).
• Avoid direct skin contact with oil, oil-contaminated water and sediments.
• Avoid contact with dead or dying fish or other aquatic life.
• Do not swim or ski in areas affected by the oil spill, and if traveling through the area by boat take precautions when hoisting the boat anchor. If oil makes contact with the skin, wash it off with soap and water.
• Do not fish in oil spill-affected waters.
• Do not harvest or eat dead fish, fish with oily residue, or fish that have a petroleum odor.
• Avoid boating through oil slicks or sheens.
• Young children, pregnant women, people with compromised immune systems, and individuals with underlying respiratory conditions should avoid the area.
• Prevent pets from entering oil-contaminated areas.
• Those near Florida's Gulf Coast may detect an odor because of the oil spill. Some people are more sensitive to these odors and may experience nasal irritation and feelings of nausea. In combination with seasonal allergies, such as sensitivity to pollen, or pre-existing respiratory conditions such as asthma, some people may experience more severe symptoms.
• Individuals experiencing respiratory symptoms that are aggravated by the odors from the oil spill should consider:
o Staying indoors in air-conditioning and avoiding strenuous outdoor activity.
o If symptoms do not improve, contact a primary care physician or other health care provider for medical advice.
o Individuals who have pre-existing medical conditions such as asthma or other respiratory illnesses should contact their healthcare professional if feeling symptomatic.