May 20, 2026
Escambia County
221 Palafox Place
Pensacola, FL 32502
850-595-3935

To: All Interested Agencies, Groups, and Individuals

This is to give notice that Escambia County (Responsible Entity under 24 CFR Part 58) has determined that the following proposed action under the Florida Commerce Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery program (HS 019) that a portion of the project is located within the FFRMS floodplain and wetland. Escambia County will be identifying and evaluating practicable alternatives to locating the action in the floodplain and the potential impacts on the floodplain and wetland from the proposed action, as required by Executive Order 11988 in accordance with HUD regulations at 24 CFR 55.20 Subpart C Procedures for Making Determinations on Floodplain Management and Protection of Wetlands and Executive Order 11990.  The extent of the FFRMS floodplain was determined using the 0.2 percent flood approach, using FIRM panel 12033C00851, effective date 8/19/2025.

The purpose of the project is to repair and fortify two bridge structures against additional deterioration in order to increase their resilience to future disasters. 

Project Area #1 - Jefferson Avenue:  The first project area is on Jefferson Avenue is located just north of Freedom Road (Lat 30°58'20.35"N; Long  87°15'1.92"W) and includes slope stabilization with rip rap, flowable fill, grassing, etc. as required to harden the existing structure and mitigate against future damage.  Activities include the placement of a floating turbidity barrier for erosion/sedimentation control, cleaning and clearing of loose debris, placement of water diversion measures and/or de-watering pump, placement of filter fabric, bedding stone and rubble riprap, and the placement of flowable fill in eroded areas under and between the two existing culverts to fill and void areas in and around the pipe culverts.  A portion of the construction will take place in Flood Zone X (Shaded) (0.2% Annual Chance Flood Hazard Area) and within a Freshwater Forested/Shrub Wetland (PF01C) as per the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) National Wetland Inventory (NWI) mapper.  The project will result in 0.005 acres/269 SF/30 CY of permanent wetland and surface water impact and 0.027 acres/1,161 SF of temporary impact. 

Project Area #2 - Alger Road: Proposed construction includes the replacement of the existing culvert structure along Alger Road with a new concrete span bridge.  Activities include clearing and grubbing, demolition of the existing culvert structure, protection/relocation of existing utilities, construction of a new concrete bridge structure (27-foot-wide span with concrete wingwalls, two 15 foot-wide concrete approaches, an 18 foot road width with 2 foot shoulder and guard railing), the relocation of existing gas main adjacent to the new bridge via directional drilling, and relocation of the existing water main by hanging it from the new bridge structure, asphalt improvements, channel stabilization with stone rubble rip rap, regrading of existing roadside swales, slope stabilization, erosion control measures, roadway striping and signage and the location and protection of an existing gravity sewer main. None of the activities proposed for Alger Road are located in the floodzone. These activities will have minimal impacts to wetlands and surface waters and will only be what is necessary to complete the project. This project will result in  0.04 acres/1,766 SF/153 CY of wetland impacts and 0.005 acres/215 SF of temporary ditch impact.

For both project areas, construction will take place within or adjacent to an existing culvert structure which conveys the current drainage system from west to east and ultimately outfalls into the Escambia River.  No additional area will be disturbed, and there will be no additional impervious surface created, thus the project will not create additional erosion or discharge and will not impact any flora and fauna at the site.  There are no adverse effects anticipated on recreational, educational, scientific, historical or cultural values.  These improvements are necessary in order to repair erosion and structural issues at this site.

There are three primary purposes for this notice.  First, people who may be affected by activities in the floodplain and wetland and those who have an interest in the protection of the natural environment should be given an opportunity to express their concerns and provide information about these areas.  Commenters are encouraged to offer alternative sites outside of the floodplain and wetland and alternative methods to serve the same project purpose, and methods to minimize and mitigate impacts.  Second, an adequate public notice program can be an important public educational tool. The dissemination of information and request for public comment about the floodplain and wetland can facilitate and enhance Federal efforts to reduce the risks and impacts associated with the occupancy and modification of these special areas. Third, as a matter of fairness, when the Federal government determines it will participate in actions taking place in the floodplain and/or wetland, it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk.

Written comments must be received by Elizabeth Kissel, Governmental Liaison, at 221 Palafox Place, Pensacola, FL  32502, 850-595-3935, [email protected] on or before June 5, 2026. A full description of the project may also be reviewed from 8 am to 4:30 pm at the Engineering office 3363 West Park Place, Pensacola, FL 32505 or on the County’s website at https://myescambia.com/sallyrecoverygrant/rebuild-florida-infrastructure-programs. Additional information. May be obtained by contacting Elizabeth Kissel at 850-595-3935.  Comments may also be submitted by email at [email protected].

Wesley J. Moreno

County Administrator, Escambia County

Environmental Certifying Official