Kitty Taylor shared this info so I am adding it to the blog.
Walton County Emergency Management
Oil Spill Defense
Oil Spill Defense
Stage One Defense:
Barges equipped with blowers will be placed to spray hay into the water for the oil to adhere to.
Walton County Emergency Management in conjunction with C.W. Roberts Contracting INC, has developed a plan to prevent the oil from reaching the 26 miles of Walton County beaches. This makes Walton County the first county in our area to have a plan, outside of placing booms, that will take effect before the oil is on the beaches. Booms are 90 percent ineffective in open water. The plan encompasses three stages.
In stage one, barges equipped with blowers will be place to spray hay into the water for the oil to adhere to. The hay will clump together with the oil and will make it easier to remove the waste from the water. The plan is to spot the oil as it nears our beaches, but is still miles off shore, and begin to spread the hay, (Video demonstration will be available on www.waltonso.org and the Walton County Sheriff's Office FaceBook on Wednesday.)
Stage two includes 50,000 feet of New Green Type 4 belted silt retention fence ready to be deployed along the shores of the Walton County beaches. As needed, the fencing will be positioned along the beach as a second line defense against the oil. Bales of hay are being strategically placed along the beaches of Walton County and will rapidly deployed in the case oil does reach the coast. The hay will be spread along the shore in front of the New Green Type 4 belted silt retention fence to capture the oil and will make cleanup easier. The oil covered hay can be cleaned up using the machinery the county uses to clean up the seaweed.
Stage three provides a great defense for our precious Coastal Dune Lakes. The lakes will be protected by concrete jersey walls, wrapped with the New Green Type 4 belted silt retention fence, placed and lined with GeoHay. GeoHay is make from 1-hundred percent recycled synthetic fiber. This product acts as a filter and is highly absorbent, as well as non-biodegradable, strong, and durable.
Additionally Regional Utilities and Murphy Oil have provided 10.000 feet of boom that is ready to be deployed. Until floating petroleum approaches the Florida Coast, it is impossible to predict the precise locations, extent and amount of time the boom equipment would need to be deployed. The county is submitting the action plan to the Department of Environmental Protection seeking their approval. The county is prepared to move forward with this plan in an effort to protect the beaches of Walton County.
We have reservations at the State Park for in a week and a half...do we need to cancel them?
ReplyDeleteYou know, I don't think so. It really is hard to get those reservations at the State Park...there is a long waiting list. I really would recommend you keeping them. The county is getting ready just to be safe...would recommend you watch the news and also keep checking blog. Will update daily info on oil in this area. Hope this is helpful.
ReplyDeleteI must say you people have your stuff togather. My wife and I go to Grayton Beach every year on Memorial Day, this has been going on for the last 7 years. We live in alabama. but we love it there. Back to the point if more of our so called "leaders" with EMA or any other org. would try using common sence and quit having meetings to see how they can get some more free stuff from the Gov and use what they have in their area and start thinking outside the polical box they might get a plan or get something done. Thanks for showing that the people in SOWOL has there stuff togather.
ReplyDeleteMy family of 35 plans a trip every other year to Grayton Beach, we rent three houses and look so forward to the trip! This is our every other year, and are planning to be in Grayton June 12-19th, we are concerned about the oil spill, should we cancel and try again next year?
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