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NOAA Experts Forecast the Naples/Marco Island Beach Areas Will Remain Clear from Oil Spill Impacts
August 31, 2010

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecast the area will remain clear and free from any oil spill impacts.

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Naples, Fla. (August 31, 2010) – Southwest Florida’s Paradise Coast, including the beach resort communities of Naples and Marco Island, never received any oil from the recent Gulf of Mexico oil spill. Now, officials at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecast the area will remain clear and free from any oil spill impacts.

"NOAA's shoreline threat assessment has consistently shown Collier County, Florida (including Naples and Marco Island) to be one of the Gulf coast areas least likely to receive surface oil from the Deepwater Horizon BP oil spill. Now that significant amounts of oil on the surface are no longer being observed in the northern Gulf, it is a virtual certainty that Collier County beaches will not be affected by this incident as long as the well is successfully controlled," said William G. Conner, Ph.D., Chief, HAZMAT Emergency Response Division NOAA Office of Response and Restoration.

—The misperception that the oil spill affected most of Florida continues to affect our tourism industry,” said Jack Wert, executive director for the Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention and Visitors Bureau. —With NOAA experts behind us, we are pleased that we can continue to reassure visitors that our coast is clear.”

It’s not too late to book your end-of-the-summer getaway and take advantage of incredible deals like free resort credits, free additional hotel nights, golf rounds, spa treatments, restaurant specials and more. From thrilling airboat rides to shopping in historic districts, discover the many fun summer activities highlighted in the Paradise Coast Summer Fun Guide, Paradise Coast Summer Fun Guide.

For more information on visiting Naples, Marco Island and the Everglades – The Paradise Coast, call 1-800-688-3600 for free visitors guide or visit the area’s official visitor information Web site, www.paradisecoast.com.

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