Florida’s Fears are Realized
The Deepwater Horizon disaster in 2010 was a wake-up call for residents who live near the Gulf Coast of Florida. Even though the oil rig exploded 400 miles away from Fort Myers Beach, the devastating environmental impact was still felt by the community.
The Futility of Past Protections
Florida lawmakers banned drilling in state waters in 1992, but the protection only extended to an area about 3.5 miles off the east coast and 10 miles from the west coast. This limited protection was not enough to prevent the Deepwater Horizon disaster, which killed 11 workers and released an estimated 4.9 million barrels of oil into the Gulf.
| Year | Event | Impact |
| 1992 | Ban on drilling in state waters | Protected an area of about 3.5 miles off the east coast and 10 miles from the west coast |
| 2010 | Deepwater Horizon explosion | Killed 11 workers, released an estimated 4.9 million barrels of oil into the Gulf |
Consequences of the Disaster
The Deepwater Horizon disaster had severe environmental and economic consequences. The spill caused widespread devastation, impacted marine life, and dealt a severe blow to Gulf Coast economies dependent on tourism and fishing.
- Widespread environmental devastation
- Heavy impact on marine life
- Dealt a severe blow to Gulf Coast economies dependent on tourism and fishing
A New Effort to Protect Florida’s Gulf Coast
A new effort to ban oil drilling permanently in both state and federal waters off Florida’s coasts is being spearheaded by Rep. Vern Buchanan and Rep. Kathy Castor. The Florida Coastal Protection Act aims to protect the state’s coastal waters and wildlife from the known risks of offshore drilling.
Quotes from Environmentalists
“The barrier islands, white sandy beaches, and coastal marshes surrounding Florida’s shoreline provide necessary habitat for iconic reef fish, extensive shorebird populations, sea turtles, and marine mammals like the Florida manatee. This legislation will protect Florida’s coasts from the known, concrete risks of offshore drilling while moving to ensure a safer future for the endangered and imperiled coastal wildlife that call the state home.” – Ben Prater, Defenders of Wildlife director
“Florida’s beaches, bottlenose dolphins, and manatees are too important to risk for more oil, but we’ve seen repeatedly that when we drill, we spill.” – Lisa Frank, Environment America’s director
Key Players
* Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Sarasota
* Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Tampa
* Defenders of Wildlife
* Environment America
* VoLo Foundation
The Future of Oil Drilling in Florida
The Florida Coastal Protection Act has bipartisan support and is one of the rare times when politicians from both parties agree with most environmentalists. However, the bill still faces opposition from lawmakers and lobbyists representing oil-producing states. The consequences of a future spill could be devastating. The recreational fishing industry alone contributes nearly $14 billion to Florida’s economy and supports over 120,000 jobs. The state set a record with 142.9 million visitors last year, contributing $131 billion in direct spending.
A Call to Action
The Florida Coastal Protection Act is a crucial step towards protecting Florida’s Gulf Coast from the risks of offshore drilling. It’s time for Congress to pass this bill and send it to President Trump’s desk.
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