By Trimmel Gomes
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wfsu/local-wfsu-905306.mp3
Tallahassee, FL – Florida is bracing to get hit with oil that is moving closer and closer to the coastline. An oil sheen has been spotted just nine miles off the coast of one of Florida's best beaches.
Pensacola Beach could see tar balls wash up on its shore in about a day or two from the oil sheen. Governor Charlie Crist says the state is doing what it can to minimize the impact.
"Approximately 257-thousand feet of boom has been placed along the most sensitive areas of the Panhandle near Pensacola. In addition, I have authorized 66-thousand feet of supplemental boom for Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa counties."
Because of the change in weather, the oil slick is now making its way toward Florida. Crist is requesting a fishery disaster declaration from the U.S. Commerce Secretary to make the state's commercial fishermen eligible for federal financial relief resulting from the spill.