Friday, July 16th, 2010
Many islanders are breathing a sigh of relief after a recent computer model used by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicted only a very low probability of oil or tar balls from the Deepwater Horizon reaching Anna Maria Island.
NOAA’s computer model map identifies the probability of problems in various sections of the Gulf and Atlantic Coast. Not surprisingly, the eastern Louisiana coast, the entire Alabama coast and the western half of the Florida Panhandle coast are given the highest probability, from 81 to 100 per cent.
What is surprising, however, are the regions with the second-highest probability of being contaminated by oil and tar. Areas in this group have a 61 to 80 percent chance of this, and they include the south central Louisiana coast and a very small zone in the central coastal part of the Florida Panhandle. Then comes the big surprise for this 61 to 80 percent prediction area: another large zone that runs from the Florida Keys up around the entire southeast coast of the state.
Anna Maria Island sits right on the border between two probability zones. The “below 1 percent” zone runs south from here. The “1 to 20 percent” zone runs north, beyond Tampa, almost to the Panhandle. What welcomed news this is.
These predictions were based on the assumption that the oil will continue to gush through late July at a rate of 33,000 barrels a day. Since it is based on historic wind and ocean current patterns, it’s not possible to anticipate what variation may occur with a major hurricane in the Gulf. Continue reading “Anna Maria Island Unlikely to be Affected by Oil Spill” »
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Friday, June 18th, 2010
The pristine beauty of Anna Maria Island’s beautiful clean white-sand beaches is something that thousands of local people and visitors care very much about. Although the oil spill occurred almost 400 miles from our beaches, and although there is no oil near our shores, it is worth being prepared to act in case the oil comes our way.
On Thursday evening, June 17, islanders concerned about the oil in the Gulf gathered in large numbers at the Anna Maria Island Community Center at 407 Magnolia Avenue in Anna Maria. The streets around the center were lined with parked cars, and the crowd of hundreds filled the gymnasium, including the bleachers.
A large panel of speakers and representatives of various public and private organizations sat at a long table. A big projector screen showed the face of the speaker as well as slide presentations throughout the evening.
The event was organized by a new group called Keep OFF Manatee. The “OFF” stands for Oil Free Forever. Mike Shannon, manager of the Beach House Restaurant in Bradenton Beach, is the founder of the organization and he gave the opening remarks. After sharing his sentimental feelings about the beauty of the birds on the beach and the obligation of everyone to save them for future generations, Shannon turned over the microphone to Manatee County Commissioner Carol Whitmore. Whitmore said very complimentary things as she introduced all the other speakers, who included State Representative Bill Galvano, local Emergency Management Chief Laurie Feagans, Director of the Natural Resource Department Charlie Hunsicker, and Dr. Rich Pierce of Mote Marine Laboratories.
The point was made repeatedly that the meeting was not a place for finger pointing or blame. It seemed to be an opportunity for organizational structure and contact information to be disseminated and described.
Much information was provided in handouts, which included the following: Continue reading “Oil Spill Meeting at Anna Maria Island Community Center” »
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