NSBNEWS.net videos by Sera Frederick.

Congresswoman Suzanne Kosmas speaks to Orlando TV news crews WFTV and Central Florida 13, a Hometown News reporter and NSBNEWS.net on her meeting with Coast Guard officials at the Ponce Inlet station Saturday before speaking exclusively with NSBNEWS.net on this and other matters.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Congresswoman Suzanne Kosmas, D-NSB (FL-24), spoke with the media at noon Saturday following a meeting with top brass at the U.S. Coast Guard station, reporting that plans are in place to deal with the gulf oil mess that remains a potential threat to both Florida's coastlines.

NSBNEWS.net photo by Henry Frederick.

Congresswoman Suzanne Kosmas speaks to reporters outside the Coast Guard station Saturday.

However, because of currents and winds with hurricane season, Kosmas said she was told by Coast Guard officials Florida will likely escape the oil slicks that have devastated Louisiana.

"The likelihood of receiving anything greater than tar balls is slim," Kosmas said. Kosmas has already voted to allow the Coast Guard to receive advance monies from the "oil liability trust fund" for clean-up costs in the Gulf of Mexico after the oil rig explosion.

And the congresswoman supported a bi-partisan plan last month to increase "big oil bailout prevention act" cap from $5 million to $10 billion with BP taking on the burden of economic damages and not taxpayers.

Kosmas reiterated she was "concerned and outraged about the lack of oversight" both by BP and Washington, but her focus now is on preserving Florida's pristine beaches.

Kosmas said Coast Guard officials described the early preparedness efforts, including aerial reconnaissance and mapping to identify how best to protect the coastline. Officials also updated Kosmas on when oil might reach the East Coast, estimating that any impact would not be for several months and that if oil reaches Central Florida beaches it would likely be mostly in the form of tall balls, which are less difficult to remove.

The congresswoman told NSBNEWS.net in a one-on-one interview following her press conference: "Those of us who live here on the shores of Florida obviously are concerned about the potential impact on tourism and to our fishing and recreational facilities."

Kosmas emphasized to the media that she and others need to "get the word out that our beaches are still pristine."

She added, "The good news is that right now our beaches are clear and that any impact should be limited, but I want to make sure East Coast communities are prepared in order to minimize any damage."

'Those of us who live here on the shores of Florida obviously are concerned about the potential impact on tourism and to our fishing and recreational facilities.'