November 2016 Update

Natural Resources Management

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Direct Component Activity

Commissioners Continue Project Selection Discussion, Review Risk-Benefit Analysis
Committee of the Whole: Oct. 13, 2016

At this meeting, staff gave a presentation on the six Direct Component projects received to date (listed in random order).

Carpenter Creek & Bayou Texar Economic & Environmental Revitalization Plan
Project Universal Access
Perdido Key Gulf of Mexico Beach Access
Perdido Key Multi-Use Path
OLF8 Commerce Park Improvements
South Dogtrack Drainage- Coral Creek, Hampton Lake, Three Waters Green (aka, Mariner Village), Liberty Church

Two commissioners had not yet submitted their nominations. The presentation consisted of first, an overview of the projects selected and second, the risks versus benefit analysis for each project. Results from the risk analysis process completed by staff were explained. The process involved many different departments and permitting agencies. The results were based off of the applicants' draft conceptual designs, so it was stressed that many of these risks could easily be mitigated once planning and design phases have been implemented.

The board agreed that the risk versus benefit analysis process was successful and provided enough information to select projects. However, until the other two commissioners submitted their projects, they would not be able to move forward. Staff was directed to perform the same analysis on the remaining four projects once they were submitted, then the board would resume discussion on project selection. The goal is to continue the discussion in December, but a date will not be set until after staff receives all of the project nominations.

Once the board of county commissioners selects the projects to receive RESTORE Direct Component funding, the county will draft a Multi-Year Implementation Plan and initiate a 45-day public comment period. Public input will be reviewed and necessary updates will be made before the MYIP is submitted to the U.S. Treasury Department for final review and acceptance.

Click here for more information about the Direct Component.

Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council Activity

Oct. 17, 2016

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection staff has been working with Escambia County staff to submit grant paperwork to the Restoration Council for the projects Beach Haven - Joint Stormwater and Wastewater Improvement, Bayou Chico Sediment Removal Planning, and Pensacola Bay Living Shoreline - Phase I (Planning). The state must enter into an agreement with the Restoration Council before Escambia County can be sub-awarded the grants.

Sept. 12, 2016

Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council Public Meeting in Panama City on an update to the Funded Priorities List.

Click here for more information on Restore the Gulf.

Living Shoreline - Phase I Planning Ribbon

Gulf Consortium Activity

Oct. 3, 2016

The Gulf Consortium’s consultants Environmental Science Associates and Langton Inc. visited Escambia County for a tour of Bayou Chico. They engaged Natural Resources staff to gather information on the current issues with Bayou Chico. Their job is to convey the issues and importance of the Bayou Chico Restoration project so it can be incorporated into the Florida State Expenditure Plan.

Bayou Chico Water Quality Improvements Ribbon

Sept. 13, 2016

Full Board meeting in Hutchinson Island. Gulf Consortium consultants discussed the response from the initial project nomination process. They discussed the various statuses of the individual counties as well as the type of projects being submitted. However, individual project discussion did not occur.

June 16, 2016

The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners decided that the Bayou Chico Restoration Project would be the only project submitted to the Gulf Consortium as a part of the Florida State Expenditure Plan.

Upcoming

Nov. 17 - Executive Committee Meeting, Florida Association of Counties (Dial-In Number: 1-888-670-3525, Participant Passcode: 998 449 5298#): The Executive Committee will go over the draft agenda for the Dec. 2 full board meeting.

Dec. 2 - Board Meeting (9 a.m., Buena Vista Palace, Orange County): The full board will discuss the projects brought forward by each county.

Click here for more information about the Gulf Consortium.

Natural Resources Damage Assessment Activity

Oct. 20, 2016

Fish Hatchery Planning Meeting 60 percent design presentation. This was the last scheduled meeting for the Planning Committee. The 60 percent design has been approved by the City of Pensacola Planning Board and the Fish Hatchery Planning Committee. The design consultants, Baskerville-Donovan, will complete the design plans after a series of meetings for the Fish Hatchery Technical Committee.

Oct. 11, 2016

Fish Hatchery 60 percent design plans were presented to the City of Pensacola Planning Board.

Oct. 10, 2016

Implementation of the Gulf Islands National Seashore asphalt cleanup of Fort Pickens began.

Oct. 2016

Escambia County continues acquiring easements for the Perdido Key Dune Restoration project on private beaches.

Sept. 12-13, 2016

Public Meetings were held for the Bob Sikes Bridge Fishing Pier Improvements Project.

Click here for more information on damage assessments.

Triumph Gulf Coast Activity

Sept. 14, 2016

Triumph Board Meeting in Pensacola. The board is still waiting for next legislative session (April 2017) for the appropriation of funding before they meet officially. Board was tasked with beginning to think of ideas on transformational economic development and process development. A website for the Triumph board was in the works but must wait until funding before it is completed.

Click here for more information on Triumph Gulf Coast.

National Fish & Wildlife Foundation Activity

Oct. 5, 2016

Comments closed for the Draft Restoration Strategy Plan.

Sept. 14, 2016

GEBF Draft Restoration Strategy Webinar.

Click here for more information on NFWF.

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

RESTORE Centers of Excellence Activity

Upcoming

The Science Program will also participate in several other upcoming conferences including the Restore America’s Estuaries and The Coastal Society Summit (December 10-15, 2016, New Orleans), 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.

Oct. 27-28, 2016

FLRACEP held the second annual all-hands meeting at the Tradewinds Resort. Download the preliminary agenda.

Click here for more information about RESTORE Act Centers of Excellence.