Escambia County recently received the 2015 Partners for Environmental Progress (PEP) Environmental Stewardship Award for its Mahogany Mill Boat Ramp project. The award, which has been given out annually since 2005, helps recognize innovative environmental best practices on the Gulf Coast in manufacturing, construction, engineering, conservation or restoration.
The Mahogany Mill Boat Ramp was built using various eco-friendly materials on a 2.82 acre parcel that features a public boat ramp with multiple lanes, public gazebo, portable toilet facility, various sized parking spaces to accommodate a wide range of water craft, a tie down area, sanitary pump-out station and an educational kiosk. The project also included the reconstruction of Mahogany Mill Road with drainage improvements and sidewalks for the public access to the site.
Following the official groundbreaking in January 2013, the project began using Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) funding from BP, with joint construction led by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), administered by Escambia County Community Redevelopment Agency and construction managed by Public Works Department. Funding for design and engineering services for this project was provided by the Florida Boating Improvement Program using the Sport Fish Restoration Program from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
For more information on this project or other boat ramps in Escambia County, please contact the Escambia County Community and Environment Department at (850) 595-3496.
