With oil now caught in the loop current, Rep. Carlos Lopez-Cantera, R-Miami, is calling for Gov. Charlie Crist to add Miami-Dade County to the counties that will be impacted by the oil spill in the Gulf.

“It is just a matter of time until the oil spill in the Gulf makes it to the shores in Miami-Dade,” said Lopez-Cantera.  “We need to begin planning ahead so we can minimize the spill’s impact on our region.  This could be an economic and environmental tragedy if we don’t have the resources available to deal with this crisis.”

“This morning, members of the Florida Congressional Delegation were briefed by the Coast Guard and told that the oil spill has entered the loop current and is expected to reach the Florida Straits a week from today,” wrote Lopez-Cantera in a letter to Crist. “By entering the loop current, the oil spill threatens the public health, safety, welfare and property of citizens throughout Miami-Dade County. Therefore, being added to the emergency list will provide Miami-Dade County additional resources to prevent, contain or reduce damage to natural resources and property that may occur as a result of the spill.”