The Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast States Act of 2012, or RESTORE Act, and U.S. Department of Treasury’s regulations direct Escambia County to prepare a Multi-Year Implementation Plan that prioritizes eligible activities for Direct Component funds awarded to the county through the Deepwater Horizon Settlement and RESTORE Act, and to obtain broad-based participation from individuals, businesses, Indian tribes and non-profit organizations as part of plan preparation.
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners established the RESTORE Advisory Committee in 2012 to gain input from Escambia County citizens to develop a Needs Assessment, Selection Criteria and rank project submittals to the Project Portal. The BCC then shortlisted the following ten projects in February 2017 to include in the initial MYIP:
- Carpenter Creek Revitalization Plan
- Eleven Mile Creek Basin
- Eleven Mile Creek Restoration
- Hollice T. Williams Stormwater & Recreational Park
- OLF8 Commerce Park Improvements
- Perdido Key Gulf of Mexico Beach Access
- Perdido Key Multi-Use Path
- Project Universal Access
- SOAR with RESTORE
- South Dogtrack Drainage
In preparation of submitting the final MYIP, Escambia County is accepting public comment for a period of 45 days for those projects included within the plan.
The board authorized staff at the May 25, 2017 regular board meeting to conduct the 45 day public comment period. The public comment period will open June 5, 2017 and close July 19, 2017. On Monday, June 5 RESTORE staff will host a public comment kickoff meeting at 5:30 p.m. at the Central Office Complex (3363 West Park Place), Room 104.
Public comments can be submitted in the following ways:
- In person: MYIP kickoff meeting, Monday, June 5 at 5:30 p.m., Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place, Room 104
- Email
- Mail: Attention - Escambia County Natural Resources Management-RESTORE, 221 Palafox Place, Pensacola, FL 32502
- Phone: 850-595-0820
On July 19 RESTORE staff will review the public comments submitted and incorporate them into the MYIP.
Next, Escambia County will submit the MYIP to the U.S. Treasury who will take 30 to 60 days to review and approve. The BCC anticipates voting to accept the approved MYIP in early September.
Approval of the MYIP allows Escambia County to begin individual grant applications for the projects. It is anticipated that final adoption of grant awards will occur in January 2018 with projects beginning shortly thereafter.
To learn more about Escambia County's Multi-Year Implementation Plan or submit a comment about the plan, please click here.
