Laguna Beach, California, has reopened its beaches with limited access following the oil spill off the coast of Huntington Beach after an oil spill caused beach closures to begin the clean-up process.
The reopening went into effect Oct. 8 at 7 a.m. for the sand, which does not include the shoreline or water, both of which are still fully closed off until further notice.
“I am very pleased that our City team has come up with a plan to open the sand so that our residents and visitors can walk and relax on our beautiful beaches,” Laguna Beach Mayor Bob Whalen said in a statement.
“The Coast Guard advises that we must keep the water closed for health reasons until the water quality can be fully analyzed. I ask everyone to cooperate with this restriction and stay out of the water. We will be working with state and federal officials to open the water as soon as it is safe.”
Officials warned that oil spill residue may still be present in the sand, so visitors are encouraged to use precaution and avoid contact with any oil traces.
The city noted that they will continue to monitor the beaches in the weeks to come, with the possibility of intermittent isolated closures if oil begins to appear on the beaches, with future full reopenings dependent on consultations with the U.S. Coast Guard and the Orange County Health Care Agency.
Laguna Beach announced a closure to its beaches on Oct. 3 at 9 p.m. in anticipation of the spill reaching the city’s shoreline.
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