By Sarah Wilkerson Maconaghy
Florida’s Gulf Coast boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in the country. That’s why millions of visitors from around the world flock here each year, making tourism and our blue economy the backbone of local prosperity and our way of life.
My family has been in the vacation rental business with Gulfside Resorts for over 35 years. In fact, one of our properties was named for me as a young child — Sarah’s Seaside. I’ve witnessed many challenges to our coastline and economy. But none pose a greater threat than offshore oil drilling. The risk of a catastrophic oil spill is simply too high — and it’s a risk we should never take.
Floridians have consistently opposed expanding offshore drilling, and we’ve urged our federal leaders to safeguard our shores. That’s why I was heartened to see bipartisan cooperation with the introduction of the Florida Coastal Protection Act by U.S. Reps. Kathy Castor, Vern Buchanan, Darren Soto and Gus Bilirakis. This vital bill would permanently ban oil exploration, development and production off Florida’s coast.
Clean beaches and a healthy ocean aren’t just good for the environment — they’re essential for my business. My livelihood depends on the natural beauty that draws people here in the first place.
April 20 marks 15 years since the BP Deepwater Horizon disaster, which killed 11 workers and unleashed one of the worst environmental catastrophes in U.S. history. The images of oil-drenched wildlife and devastated coastlines are seared into our collective memory.
The economic toll was staggering: Over 25,000 jobs lost, billions in tourism revenue wiped out and years of recovery — even in areas like ours that didn’t see oil on our beaches. The lesson is clear: When they drill, they spill — and we’re left with the bill.
This isn’t a partisan issue. Polls show that two-thirds of voters — across party lines — support banning new offshore drilling. Nearly 400 municipalities and more than 2,300 local officials across the Atlantic, Pacific and Gulf coasts have formally opposed offshore drilling expansion.
Some may wonder: “Is offshore drilling really still a threat here in Florida?”
The answer is yes. While Florida voters approved a constitutional amendment in 2018 banning drilling in state waters (up to nine miles offshore), federal waters beyond that are still at risk. A future president could reverse existing restrictions with the stroke of a pen. And the oil and gas industry has made no secret of its desire to expand into untapped areas — including the eastern Gulf of Mexico, which has long been off-limits.
That’s why we must act now. Our coastal economy, environment and way of life are too valuable to gamble away. The Florida Coastal Protection Act would make permanent what most Floridians already want: a future free from the threat of offshore oil drilling.
As a coastal Florida business owner, I’m calling on the entire Florida congressional delegation to support this bill. Let’s protect our coast — for our businesses, our communities and generations to come.
Sarah Wilkerson Maconaghy is part of a three-generation beach vacation business, Gulfside Resorts, comprised of restored 20th century cottages in Indian Rocks Beach. Banner photo: Sunset on Indian Rocks Beach (iStock image).
Sign up for The Invading Sea newsletter by visiting here. To support The Invading Sea, click here to make a donation. If you are interested in submitting an opinion piece to The Invading Sea, email Editor Nathan Crabbe at ncrabbe@fau.edu.
