A Pinellas County tourism leader is urging President Donald Trump to reconsider a proposal that would open portions of Floridas far offshore Gulf waters to new oil and gas drilling, a move he believes could endanger the beaches and economy that define the region.

Charlie Justice, President and CEO of the Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce, says Pinellas County already knows what even the threat of an oil spill can do.

During the BP oil spill in 2010, Pinellas County beaches were largely spared, but the perception was enough to trigger canceled vacations, empty hotel rooms, and financial pain for businesses that depend on tourism.

We saw a big dip in tourism after the spill, after the fire there, Justice said.

Justice has drafted a letter to the President asking him to reverse course

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