The Only Oil on Southwest Florida Beaches is Suntan Oil

By: Michael Burke – Bonita Springs, Estero, Naples, Luxury Real Estate Expert

Published in The News-Press June 12, 2010

The Only Oil on Southwest Florida Beaches is Suntan Oil

By D. Michael Burke

The BP oil spill has made big headlines since the April 20^th explosion that left one of their offshore rigs gushing oil. Although there has been a lot of discussion on how the oil spill will affect the nearby areas, environmentally as well as economically, here in Southwest Florida we seem to have escaped unscathed: We have no oil on our beaches, and as of this writing there is no indication that we will.

Nevertheless, I know this is a concern for many of you. Prospective buyers and sellers alike are worried about what will happen to property values if the oil touches down on our beaches. To offer some reassurance to my clients, I spoke with a friend of mine, Sharon Merchant, who is running for senate here in Southwest Florida. Sharon has been a community leader and a strong advocate for Southwest Florida for more than two decades, and I knew she would have the most up-to-date information on the spill.

Sharon confirmed that not only is there no oil on our beaches in Southwest Florida, but according to current data and the forecasted spread of the oil, we shouldn’t see any in the future, either.

"So far the movement pattern of the oil suggests that Southwest Florida will be spared," Sharon told me. "Oil that is captured by the Gulf’s Loop Current is expected to stay well off shore of our area."

To understand what she means, take a look at this map of the oil spill (on USAToday.com. The sunken well is located not far from the coasts Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and the Florida Panhandle — well away from Southwest Florida. If you check the bubble to turn on the arrows for the loop current, you’ll see that the current’s path stays well away from our beaches.

Nevertheless, oil has shown up on the beaches in the very tip of the Florida Panhandle, the area of our coastline closest to the sunken well. That reality, and the threat of something happening to the other beaches in the state, has spurred Floridians into action: "Florida Gov. Charlie Crist is considering a special session of the Legislature to approve sending to voters a constitutional amendment forbidding oil drilling off Florida’s coast," Sharon told me. But as Sharon pointed out to me, drilling is actually illegal in Florida already: "Adding it to the state constitution may make people feel better but it will have no practical effect since drilling is already banned." Floridians are no dummies — we’ve always known that our beaches are our crowning glory, and that we need to protect them as much is in our power to do so.

Which is why, even if some oil does touch down in Southwest Florida, Sharon isn’t worried. "Any oil that does reach us should be small in quantity and easily cleaned. Floridians understand the vital importance of our beaches and everything will be done to ensure that Southwest Florida beaches remain among the most beautiful in the nation."

Like me, Sharon doesn’t believe this oil spill will have any lasting effects on the desirability of our real estate. "People move to Southwest Florida for its charm, wonderful weather, coastal elegance and beaches that are second to none. Living here is something special and it always will be special to people who discover Southwest Florida."

As a luxury real estate agent specializing in the neighborhoods of Southwest Florida, I have the local experience necessary to see my clients through the buying or selling process. For any real estate-related questions you might have, I am here to help! If you have any other questions about the oil spill and related legislation, I invite you to contact Sharon by phone at (561) 315-9110, or via email at sharon@sharonmerchant.com. You can also find more information on her website, www.SharonMerchant.com.

Contributed by D. Michael Burke, P.A. Keller Williams Elite Realty
Michael@CoconutPointRealEstate.com / www.CoconutPointRealEstate.com