Ankle-deep oil

Mousse-like oil on beach at Alabama-Florida line

By MELISSA NELSON
Associated Press Writer

PENSACOLA, Fla. -- Emergency officials on the western Florida Panhandle went into battle mode late Wednesday as heavier oil washed on shore at the Alabama state line and threatened inland bayous and estuaries in both states. Escambia County officials said the substance was ankle deep Wednesday on the beach outside the landmark FloraBama Lounge, on the Florida side of the line on Perdido Key. Signs were posted Wednesday on Perdido Key warning people to stay out of the water, but the beaches there remain open.

County Commissioner Gene Valentino said booms that the county had placed along its inland estuaries and waterways were being locked into place late Tuesday and would be monitored overnight. "Through the weekend, significant portions of the plume will be pushed into the Panhandle," County Commissioner Gene Valentino said.

Coin-sized tar balls began washing up along the shoreline from Perdido Key through Pensacola Beach and the Gulf Islands Seashore National Park seven days ago. On Wednesday, thicker oil was first reported near the state line and health warnings were posted on six miles of Florida beaches. Valentino said the county would do everything to protect the beaches and inland waters and deal with reimbursement from the federal government and BP later. "We will be deploying all of our resources," he said.

Earlier Wednesday, Greg Hall had watched dolphins off Pensacola Beach as he took his daily walk. The lifelong resident of the area is monitoring the beach for county officials. He was among the spotters who reported the first tar balls Friday. "Those guys are too close to shore, I haven't seen them that close in before. The water is pretty shallow there," he said as watched the dolphins. Moments later, the dolphins turned toward deeper water. Hall was relieved. "I snorkel a lot and I know there is so much more to this," he said. "How does BP compensate for an entire ecosystem?"

Florida officials were angry at officials in Alabama for giving late word on the heavy oil breaching booms designed to protect inland waterways on that side of the state line. John Temperilli, a contractor with the Washington-based James Lee Witt Group for crisis management, said the Coast Guard failed to relay the message. "No one bothered to notify us when they first intercepted the oil coming through the pass. Perdido Pass is our back door," he said.