Guidelines for Waterfront Property Owners

Guidelines for Waterfront Property Owners Oil is a hazardous material.  It should only be handled by professionals trained in handling hazardous material. Avoid entering areas where oil can be seen or smelled. Avoid direct skin contact with oil, oil-contaminated water, sediment, and wildlife. Do not swim, ski, or fish in areas affected by the oil spill. If you get oil on your skin, wash it off immediately with soap and water. Do not eat dead fish, fish with oily residue, or fish that have a petroleum odor. Restrict pets from entering oil-contaminated areas. Report oiled shorelines to 866-448-5816 Report oiled wildlife to 866-557-1401 Report claims to BP at 800-440-0858 Take photographs of your shoreline to document pre-impact baseline conditions, and after oil impact. On inland waters (bays, bayous, estuaries, rivers), private property owners may install oil absorbent material, booms, or fences on private property above the mean high waterline (MHWL) only.  No material may be installed or sprayed below the MHWL. On Gulf-front property, the use of silt fences, obstructions, hay bales, peat, surfactants, or other material is not approved.  The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) is the permitting agency for Beaches and Coastal Systems.  No obstructions to sea turtle nesting behavior is allowed. BP has the lead for response and clean-up activities.