Patchy tar balls on Navarre Beach, boom closure announcement

 County staff have reported tarballs moving onto Navarre Beach from west of beach walk over #11 (near the intersection of New Jersey Street and Gulf Blvd.) west to the Gulf Island National Seashore. Coverage is patchy, estimated at 20 percent.  The State Warning Point has been notified and clean up has been requested. Beach walk over #10 east to Navarre Beach Park have no impacts at this time. There are currently no swimming or fishing advisories for this area.   

Additionally, the booms at Zamarra Canal, Gilmore Bayou, Woodland Bayou, Villa Venyce, Santa Rosa Shores, Hoffman Bayou and Polynesian Isle will be closed this afternoon due to the threat of oil product as forecasted by trajectory maps over the next several days. The boom may remain closed for several days. Residents are asked to stay clear of the area. The boom has been placed to protect environmentally sensitive and strategic areas, and damaging or removing the booms puts those areas at risk. Crossing booms can also cause serious damage to boats. Requests for boom openings for emergencies can be made by calling (850) 602-0242.  Residents in the area with landline phones will be notified by an automated community notification phone system.