ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - As the Unified command in St. Petersburg continues planning in response to the possibility of shoreline impacts resulting from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The St. Petersburg UC met for the third time Saturday via teleconference with representatives from Operation Centers in Pinellas County, Hillsborough County, Manatee County, Sarasota County, Charlotte County, Lee County, Collier County, Taylor County, Dixie County, Levy County, Citrus County, Pasco County, and Hernando County.

During the meeting a UC representative briefed the managers on the absence of imminent threat to the western Florida coastline based on current forecasts; UC's focus to strategically deplying the right resources at the right time for maximum protection; and the UC's commitment to plan aggressively in preparation for potential impact.

As the UC continues reviewing and updating the Area Contingency Plan, a county by county reassessment to determine additional environmentally sensitive areas is being conducted in the case of impact to the West Coast of Florida. During the meeting, County managers provided valuable input in regard to their area's ACP

Geographic Response Plans, communicated areas of concern in the contingency plans that may need updating, and were given the UC's current planning strategies.

"Now is the time for area contingency plan review. Early planning offers the opportunity to fine-tune protection strategies if oil reaches our coastline," said Coast Guard Cmdr. Aylwyn Young, deputy commander, Unified Command St. Petersburg. "Our objective is to make the best use of our resources."