January 2017 Update

Natural Resources Management

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Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council Activity

The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council met in New Orleans Dec. 16 to approve the Comprehensive Plan update. The meeting kicked off with remarks from Louisiana Gov. Jon Edwards, who applauded the council for their work but expressed a desire to find opportunities to expedite the process. Edwards also reinforced the message, “When we restore the environment, we restore the economy.”

Overview of Comprehensive Plan update:

Revised “improve water quality” goal to “improve water quality & quantity”
A new Funded Priorities List will be written every 2-3 years to help keep the focus on larger projects
Leverage resources and partner restoration programs
Increase engagement and collaboration
Enhance application of best available science

The complete update can be found here.

Council vote – The Comprehensive Plan update was approved. There were no requested changes from the public or council.

A representative from NRDA & NFWF both approved the updates and expressed that they are looking forward to collaboration opportunities.

Click here for more information on Restore the Gulf.

Gulf Consortium Activity

The Gulf Consortium met in Orlando Dec. 2 to discuss the projects brought forward by each county. ESA, the consultants, traveled to each county and provided a summary of the goals for each coastal county in Florida.

Gulf Consortium consultants presented preliminary project nominations from all counties (details here).

Escambia County

Issue

Legacy pollution problems in Bayou Chico from a history of industrial and military sources
Bayou Chico is a 303(d) listed impaired water body

Goals

Revitalize Bayou Chico as a Working Waterfront
Improve water quality & living resources throughout Bayou Chico
Restore ecological function to the Bayou

Project Proposals

Bayou Chico Restoration

Map and dredge contaminated sediments
Shoreline habitat enhancement along Bayou Chico

Project Budgets

Bayou Chico Restoration

Estimated Total Cost: $22.8 million
Estimated Pot 3 Request: $12.8 million
Other Potential Funding Sources: Pot 1, Pot 2, NFWF, NRDA

The next work order approved includes: 1. Screen, attribute and map the preliminary project list, and 2. Perform gaps, overlaps and opportunities analysis

Goal: Have full project list solidified by April (complete details of the projects do not need to be worked out, but counties must commit to a conceptual projects at this point).

Upcoming

Feb. 8 - Board Meeting: The full board will discuss the projects brought forward by each county and continue the development of the State Expenditure Plan (2 pm ET, Hillsborough County Administrative Center).

Click here for more information about the Gulf Consortium.

Natural Resources Damage Assessment Activity

Escambia County staff submitted six project proposals to the NRDA call for projects ending Dec. 6, 2016. The following projects are in development:

Bronson Field Habitat Restoration, Stream Restoration and Recreational Improvements
Swamp House Marina
Carpenter Creek Restoration
NAS Pensacola Living Shoreline
Perdido Paddling Trail & Boat Ramp Improvements
Bayou Grande Water Quality Improvements

Submitting a project for NRDA funding does not guarantee any of these projects will be funded. Projects chosen to be funded will be announced in April 2017.

Click here for more information on damage assessments.

Triumph Gulf Coast Activity

Upcoming

Jan. 12 - First meeting of House Select Committee on Triumph Gulf Coast has been scheduled from 4-6 p.m. EST.

Click here for more information on Triumph Gulf Coast.

While the exact benefits of the RESTORE research projects to Escambia County can be difficult to quantify, most programs are Gulf-wide and provide an overall benefit to the county.

NOAA RESTORE Act Science Program

Upcoming

The Science Program will also participate in several upcoming conferences including the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill and Ecosystem Sciences Conference (February 6-9, 2017, New Orleans), State of the Gulf of Mexico Summit 2017 (March 26-28, 2017, Houston, Texas), and Gulf of Mexico Alliance All-hands (March 29-30, 2017, Houston, Texas).

Click here for more information on the NOAA RESTORE Act Science Program.