Escambia County is hosting a virtual public meeting, May 4 at 5:30 p.m. to offer another opportunity for feedback on the RESTORE Act Draft Multi-Year Implementation Plan (MYIP) Amendment 2.
Escambia County released the plan (linked here) for a 45-day public comment period beginning Tuesday, April 13 through Monday, May 31 at 11:59 p.m. There are several options for residents to provide feedback.
Public comments can be submitted in the following ways:
In April 2010, the Deepwater Horizon oil platform exploded, killing 11 workers and led to the worst environmental disaster in U.S. history. As a result, the RESTORE Act was signed into law in 2012, directing 80% of administrative and civil penalties back to the impacted areas of the Gulf Coast through the Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund.
The U.S. Department of Treasury serves as the administrator of the RESTORE Act Direct Component, one of five funding streams through the RESTORE Act. In Florida, RESTORE Direct Component projects are selected and implemented by the 23 Gulf Coast counties, contingent on compliance with the RESTORE Act and acceptance by the U.S. Department of Treasury.
In order to ensure projects are consistent with the RESTORE Act and obtain broad-based participation in the project selection process, Treasury requires submittal and acceptance of an MYIP. On October 20, 2017, the U.S. Department of Treasury approved Escambia County’s Initial MYIP, which included 10 projects selected by the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners.
The first amendment to the MYIP was approved by the U.S. Department of Treasury on June 16, 2020, which included modification to three projects included in the Initial MYIP and the addition of eight new projects.
This amendment, MYIP Amendment 2, proposes the addition of funds to the Eleven Mile Creek Regional Stormwater Ponds Project and the addition of a new Cantonment Community Center Project.
A summary of all projects included and removed to date can be found on page eight within the MYIP Matrix. The RESTORE Act and the U.S. Department of Treasury require the County to complete a 45-day public comment period to obtain broad-based participation from the public prior to the submittal and approval of MYIP Amendment 2.
Escambia County will take all public comments under advisement and reflect those comments in the Public Comment Section of this document following the public comment period closure.
MYIP Amendment 2 does not propose any alternations, additions or deletions to any other projects identified in the MYIP.
To view MYIP Amendment 2, please visit this link.
