Fairhope still hoping for oil boom

FAIRHOPE, Alabama (WALA) - The secluded beaches of Fairhope are the picture of serenity. To protect this quiet coast, the city has asked BP for protective boom to cover from the Fairhope Yacht Club on the north to the American Legion Post on the south.

"What we've asked for is about five miles for the city of Fairhope and approximately two miles for the Grand Hotel," said the city's public works director Ken Eslava.

City officials were told the boom was supposed to arrive Friday, but four days later, the water is still boomless. Eslava said the unified command center in Mobile told them they've had priorities change and boom for the city was a less immediate concern. However, that doesn't mean the city is downtrodden.

"We've had Coast Guard call for a command post set up," said Eslava. "We've seen the contractors fly over the area and assess it, so we feel good about it being here."

Eslava says when the city receives the boom, they're not just going to rush it out into the bay as quickly as possible.

"We're in full hopes that they'll use the option to stage it. So it doesn't interrupt maritime traffic, folks coming in and out of the water ways, and basically prevent people from using our beaches that are still perfect," Eslava added.

Eslava said BP has not yet told him or the city where the contractors are based. Of course, the city is encouraging BP to use local crews.